SEEING WHAT'S REAL

So God said to Noah, “This is the sign of the covenant I have established between me and all life on the earth.” Genesis 9:17 NIV

Everything about the Akita puppy fit together. Structure, breed type, temperament, color. She was a delightful balance of affectionate puppy playfulness and oriental dignity. I wanted to name her Gei, Japanese for harmony. In English, same pronunciation, gay means merry, light-hearted, carefree.

The breeder shook his head. “Nowadays you have to be careful of connotations.”

 

Satan has stolen a lovely word, along with the hearts of men and women. Now he’s twisting a glorious symbol of hope and shoving his grotesque counterfeit in our faces. Rainbow flags everywhere. The White House and the Empire State building gleaming with colored lights. Crosswalks painted ROYBGIV. Even pulpits draped with it.

Hurricanes, earthquakes, tsunamis, natural disasters of all kinds, bigger and badder. Wars and rumors of wars. Persecution, genocide. Unborn infants harvested for body parts. Hearts growing cold. Evil rising all around us.

 

Jesus, who’s still in charge, said, “Don’t be afraid when you see these things happening.”

I’m not afraid—nothing can happen to me unless He lets it, and if He lets it He has a good reason—but I’m very sad for my country and for those who have bought into Satan’s lies.

You, too?

 

Remember our Hope: greater is the Faithful One who is in us than he who is in the world. Satan may have stolen this symbol, will steal other symbols, will steal other hearts—but he cannot steal God’s promises to those who love Him.

Not even one.
 

Avi, I long for the day You will clean up our mess and make this world new again. My eye is focused on the sky. My ear is tuned for the sound of that final trumpet. My heart aches to see You, for Your promises—all of them—are sure. In Your holy name, Amen.