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August 17, 2006 |
Dear World News and Prophecy Subscriber,
"It's not over yet, we are not safe." So
said a terrorism specialist last week as I was watching coverage
about the latest plot uncovered by British authorities.
 I had friends planning to board planes to London last Thursday
when news broke that 24 Muslims had been arrested in Great
Britain after months of surveillance by MI5. The revelation
that the plotters intended to blow up transatlantic aircraft
using liquid explosives sent more shock waves through a public
that was hoping it might be safe to come out of the shell
of fear imposed after the 9/11 attacks.
I am planning a trip to Europe next month and will have
to rearrange some of my plans to conform to the tighter security
measures now in force. I'll also say an extra prayer
for safety. We are in a dangerous time, and it looks like
it will get worse before it gets better.
I recently reread the first chapter of The Guns of August by
the late Barbara Tuchman. Her account of the first month
of World War I in 1914 shows how events in Europe rapidly
spun out of control following the assassination of the Austrian
Archduke Ferdinand. Diplomacy failed to prevent a conflagration
that had been building for more than a decade as the great
powers of Europe armed themselves to the teeth. Many commentators
are drawing analogies between that period and today with
the war on terror and the crisis in the Middle East.
Others are looking at the year 1938 and the period just
prior to the outbreak of World War II. Appeasement of Hitler
in his desire to expand German control over Europe was a
critical factor then. Many feel we see the same trends among
world leaders today who want to use diplomacy to deal with
Iran's nuclear ambitions and the aggressive actions
of the militant Hezbollah and Hamas factions. It is hard
for many to learn the lessons of history and therefore they
are doomed to repeat it, as a famous saying goes.
Psalm 91
Listening to the reports of this latest crisis heightens
the existing climate of fear. Fear is a normal human reaction
in such times. This is when we need to listen to the words
of the psalmist and seek the "secret place" of
God. This place of refuge is our hope in a time of uncertainty.
Look at what Psalm
91 says: "He who dwells
in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the
shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, 'He
is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in Him I will trust.'
"Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the
fowler and from the perilous pestilence. He shall cover you
with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge;
His truth shall be your shield and buckler. You shall not
be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flies
by day, nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor
of the destruction that lays waste at noonday. A thousand
may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand;
but it shall not come near you" (verses 1-7).
Read this entire Psalm for encouragement and hope during
this time. God is in control of world events. Nothing will
occur without His knowledge, and nothing will go beyond the
bounds He has set within His overall plan.
Last week I did a Beyond Today television program
titled, "The Horsemen of Revelation." We emphasized
not just the terrible ride of the four horsemen of Revelation
chapter 6, but also pointed out that Christ is in control
of the unfolding seals of the book. Christ directs the events
of the end of the age. As He is able to direct those global
events, so is He able to protect those who abide "under
the shadow" and in the "secret place" of
the Most High.
As we move through these present and future world events,
keep these promises in mind and never lose sight of God's
unseen hand in world affairs.
Until next time, keep watching.
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