“In these last days of great distress” (LSB 585, st. 2), it is regrettably easy to become cynical and jaded, as though there were no hope nor help to be found, as though “without God in the world” (Ephesians 2:12). Certainly the culture around us has become increasingly profane and appears at times to have gone completely off the rails. Attitudes toward the Church and the Christian faith have gradually moved from acceptance to apathy to outright animosity in many quarters; which should not surprise us (St. John 16:1-4), and yet it can be alarming, unsettling, and disheartening.
Whether it be the culture in general, the economy or the entertainment industry, local or national politics, or the way that even our own dear parishioners seem to get caught up in the worldliness of it all, we are tempted either to despair or to rely upon ourselves and our own novel strategies and schemes. By all means, let us be “wise as serpents and innocent as doves,” as our Lord has admonished us to be, living and working “as sheep in the midst of wolves” (St. Matthew 10:16). But what does that entail or look like? As “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight” (Proverbs 9:10), it is not a matter of being wise in our own eyes, nor of leaning on our own understanding. Rather, you are taught “to trust in the Lord with all your heart” (Proverbs 3:5). And such trust relies upon His Word and the preaching of it.
We all know well enough that we should not trust in princes, who are but mortal (Psalm 146:3-4; LSB 797, st. 2). It has seemed to me that we resort to that truth more readily when the governing authorities are not to our liking, and that we tend to forget it to some extent when “our guy” gets elected. The fact remains, however, either way. As the Apostle St. Paul urges, we should pray and intercede “for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way” (1 Timothy 2:2). And as citizens of the United States, we should exercise our responsibility to participate in the political process, especially on behalf of those who are unable to defend themselves or to speak up for themselves. But all such things we do in view of the Lord, living in the presence of God, coram Deo, with faith and trust in Christ. We aim not at some sort of worldly utopia, but we live in love for God and for our neighbors.
We are well aware that “the present form of this world is passing away” (1 Corinthians 7:31); and yet, this is where and when the Lord has called and stationed us to be, to live and love in the Light of His holy Word, according to His good and acceptable Will for us and for our neighbors. What then? The darkness of this present evil age (Galatians 1:4; Ephesians 6:12) is no cause for cynicism or despair, but rather a call to repentance and to fear, love, and trust in God above all things. After all, “Jesus Christ is the Light of the world, the Light no darkness can overcome” (LSB 243). Even the darkness is light to Him, the night is as bright as the day (Psalm 139:12)! And the One who caused the light to shine out of the darkness “has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (2 Corinthians 4:6).
As we have entered upon another year of grace, trusting that the Lord is not slow about keeping His promises, as some count slowness, but rather He is patient toward us, “not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance” (2 Peter 3:9), let us not lose heart or give up hope, but live each day in the joyful confidence of our Savior, Christ Jesus. Let us rise “to watch and pray” (LSB 663, st. 1), calling at all times on the Name of the Lord, relying on His mercies. Beloved in the Lord, “you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep, for salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed” (Romans 13:11). And as “the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:16), indeed, let us redeem the time that we are given by hearing, confessing, preaching, teaching, praying, and singing the Word of the Lord. And let us also come together and encourage one another, “all the more as you see the Day drawing near” (Hebrews 10:25).