As the conflict grows in the Middle East coupled with growing tension over certain states aquiring nuclear weapons and how the world seems shifted more and more toward sustained conflict, this passage came to mind.
And wars will break out near and far, but don't panic. Yes, these things must come, but the end won't follow immediately. The nations and kingdoms will proclaim war against each other, and there will be famines and earthquakes in many parts of the world. But all this will be only the beginning of the horrors to come. -- Jesus (Matthew 24:6-8)
I am going to be preaching on this text and the following today -- I think appropriate for such a time as this.
For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. (Romans 13:3-4)
