In reading about the ongoing troubles in the United Kingdom of late (especially their horrid troubles involving violent crime, the wholesale repression of free speech and Christian expression, the government’s embrace of abortion, and increasingly ugly anti-Semitism), I decided to write a few of our friends in in that country. And because it underlines specific prayer points that might stimulate others to uphold our brethren there, I decided to print it.
Just a quick word from your old friends in the States. It is first of all, a word of thanks for your ongoing testimony for the Lord Jesus Christ — a testimony of faith, integrity, and wise investment in His everlasting Kingdom which has stimulated so many to “love and good deeds” in Christ’s Name. We are grateful to be among that company.
Secondly, we send a word of encouragement regarding the increased lawlessness and speech restrictions you have been encountering. I would love to join in the optimism that believes such conditions will be only temporary. After all, such policies are so blatantly unjust and reveal such remarkable hypocrisy and irrationality that one might expect them to collapse from their own weight of folly. But alas, as we know all too well, such assessments often clash with the realities of a modern culture that is immersed in what our dear brother Francis Schaefer would have called “stupid-wicked.” Furthermore, the Scriptures describe the earth’s “last days” to be full of disdain for Christian doctrine and values, and we may be seeing these prophetic Scriptures coming to pass in our day.
Therefore, though we are fervently praying that the UK (and Europe) may yet come out of this tailspin, the encouragement we send you is of a deeper, stronger quality. It is simply this: Jesus is the Lord of our salvation; He is the conquering King Who sustains His children in all troubles; and He is the Lord of hosts who defeats evil and death even as He ushers the redeemed souls (with their glorified bodies, of course) to the paradise He has carefully prepared for them. It’s a paradise where they will live victoriously, harmoniously, and amid peace and beauty and marvelous splendor forevermore! Hallelujah!
Appreciating these grand promises are of the utmost importance for us if we desire to withstand the attacks launched at us from this polluted and pernicious culture. And we need to embrace those promises in order to effectively, consistently hold high our Lord’s banner as the standard of hope for all who have yet to bow the knee and receive Christ as Savior. And as the darkness deepens, our light shines all the more brilliantly.
No, I’m afraid that these closing days of our spiritual pilgrimage will not be very easy or comfortable. After all, the challenges posed by aging and marginalization, the sadness resulting from disappointments and bereavement, and the grievous changing of the world we once knew into one that is more crude, corrupt, and cruel must undoubtedly make for some difficult days. Yet, in the Lord’s noble plans and by the Spirit’s empowerment, they can yet be our very best days as we intensify our relationship with our returning King — and as we seek to share wisely and winsomely His glorious, liberating light to others.
We are stepping up our prayers for our brethren across the globe (including those tempted by timidity and carnality here in the United States) but Claire and I wanted to write our pals in the UK to let you know we have a special interest in your well-being and your ministries. We have been asking God 1) to protect you from the evil one, 2) to lift burdens from your hearts and strengthen your faith, 3) to answer the prayers of your hearts concerning your family, and 4) to grant you peace and health and triumphant joy.
Finally, we want to remind you that if you’re ever looking for a little respite, a little re-charging of your spiritual batteries, we have a guest room here that is all ready for you! And with it comes a well-stocked kitchen and even a dependable vehicle by which you could “tool around” the lovely city of Omaha, Nebraska! Indeed, we would love to have you visit.
Stay the course, dear friends. Our redemption most truly does draw nigh.