When the Going Gets Tough, the Remnant Stay Faithful

When the world seems chaotic and there is much discord and discontentment, have faith that God will provide. No matter how small the numbers, He will protect His “remnant.” 

Before the Flood, “every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time” (Gen 6:5), but God provided for Noah and his family. In the time of the Judges, Israel was going through turbulent times, and the last verse of Judges 21 reads, “In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as they saw fit.” But God provided for Ruth and Naomi through His remnant, Boaz. And even the great Elijah was panicked, “Lord, they have killed your prophets and torn down your altars; I am the only one left, and they are trying to kill me” (Rom 11:3 from 1 Kings 19:10,14). But God spoke to Elijah, not with thunder, lightning or fire, but through a whisper (1 Kings 19:11-13). 

Undoubtedly, we are living through interesting, and sometime frightening times. There seems to be a great deal of strife, discord and fear. But we must remember that God provides for the faithful, His remnant. Those who “stand by faith” will be “grafted in,” but those who do not believe or turn from their faith will be “broken off”. However, even in challenging times, we must continue in kindness, because God has showed us kindness through grace. And those who stumble have hope, as long as they do not “persist in their unbelief” (Rom 11:19-24).

So, remain faithful when times are tough. Show kindness and be encouraging to others. And as Jesus told his disciples at the Last Supper, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:35) - AMEN