Submitted by Pastor Richard Boettner, Rock Port Baptist Church

I am enjoying the fall season in Atchison County. I am also aware of troubles in the world, and personal struggles to overcome. I encourage you to read the passage of Scripture below and some thoughts on how we can live a godly, spiritual life in today’s world:

“¹² Conduct yourselves honorably among the Gentiles, so that when they slander you as evildoers, they will observe your good works and will glorify God on the day he visits. ¹³ Submit to every human authority because of the Lord, whether to the emperor as the supreme authority ¹⁴ or to governors as those sent out by him to punish those who do what is evil and to praise those who do what is good. ¹⁵ For it is God’s will that you silence the ignorance of foolish people by doing good. ¹⁶ Submit as free people, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but as God’s slaves. ¹⁷ Honor everyone. Love the brothers and sisters. Fear God. Honor the emperor.” – 1 Peter 2:12-17 (CSB)

God’s faithfulness is the foundation of the Christian life. Peter wrote this letter to believers scattered across the Roman Empire. They were people living where those in authority misunderstood them, and persecuted them at worst. His counsel, however was not to withdraw, isolate, or retaliate, but to use these circumstances to grow in doing good. A life like that is possible only when we are secure in Someone stronger than ourselves.

In other passages of Scripture, God promises that He will demonstrate His faithfulness by His presence during our trials. He will also faithfully assist us to bear with the difficulties by reminding us our trials will not be too much, and we can become stronger (1 Corinthians 10:13). God will also provide wisdom when we ask Him and depend on Him (James 1:5).

God had been faithful to Israel through the centuries of exile, occupation, and uncertainty. He had kept His promise to faithfully send His Messiah, Jesus. Therefore, they could trust Him to continue to be faithful today.

Personally, I seek God’s lovingkindness each new day, for this is promised, too, even during times of lament and loss in life (Lamentations 3:22,23). I can then see purpose and fulfillment in the good works of each day, and in the service that I can provide to others.

If you are in a troubled place, rest today in God’s care. Remember His past faithfulness to you. He has sustained us in the past and will do so in every age as we trust in His faithfulness.

Thanks for reading this article and please address any comments or questions to rpbaptistchurch@gmail.com.