Q. How can we be sure we will not be overwhelmed by the tide of evil about us?
A. God allows evil upon occasion to be in the apparent ascendancy. But this is for His purposes and what would move beyond that purpose will be prevented. The Psalmist says, “Surely the wrath of man shall praise You: the remainder of wrath shall You restrain” (Ps. 76:10).

Q. I’m anxious about the future, what shall I do?
A. You are speaking about a common problem of our time, about which we need to think. A person who is not a Christian has great cause for anxiety as he or she should be desperately afraid of the future. The Scripture says that “God is angry with the wicked every day” (Psalm 7:11). The proper attitude for a sinner is anxiety and this will continue until he or she believes the Gospel and comes to Christ.

One who is a Christian, however, is told, “Be anxious for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:6,7). For the Christian then, the solution to anxiety is earnest prayer that is followed by thanksgiving for divine deliverance. This, to the committed Christian, will produce “the peace of God” and this is wonderful beyond description. It is a mistake to try to solve any problem without God. It is the beginning of wisdom to trust God and look for His guidance into a solution for you.

Q. I sometimes get so tired of the world and even the repetitious Christian practices. What advice would you give me about retaining Christian enthusiasm?
A. You have pointed up a common condition in the Church of our time. So the Bible says, “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be you steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as you know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord” (I Cor. 15:58). That very chapter tells us to keep on keeping on because of the Gospel, because of the continuing grace of Christ, because of the resurrection of Christ, because of the glory of our own resurrection, and because of the Rapture of the Church (v. 51). It is easy to retain enthusiasm when we think of the glory that is soon to be revealed in us.

Q. What day shall I observe as the Sabbath?
A. For Christians, every day is the Sabbath. The Bible says, “How turn you again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto you desire again to be in bondage? You observe days, and months, and times, and years. I am afraid for you, lest I have bestowed upon you labor in vain” (Gal. 4:9-11).

Q. Why doesn’t God just send fire from heaven and consume these wicked people who do so much terrible things in our world?
A. The answer is that this is the day of grace. An indication of the program of God since the cross is, “For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved” (John 3:17). This is the time in which God extends His forgiving grace to a sinful mankind. The purpose of God at this time is not condemnation, but salvation. The Apostle Peter tells us, “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise [the promise of His return], as some men count slackness, but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (II Peter 3:9).

However, the Bible is quick to say, “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night” (II Peter 3:10). The Day of the Lord is that period following the day of grace which God will (because the Church is taken out of the world) work His judgment upon all the wickedness of mankind. In the meantime, wicked people survive (and sometimes appear to thrive) in today’s world. If, however, they neglect to receive Christ, they will be lost for eternity. The reminder is that we are to work for the salvation of men. If we do, we will fulfill the primary purpose of God for this era of time.

This, therefore, is the day of great spiritual adventure. Think of it! We have the great opportunity of conducting a program of spiritual conquest for Christ. Such a program will know His primary blessing. More than in any age, we should sing in these days,

“The sons of God go forth to war A kingly crown to gain!”