“…who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?“– Esther 4:14
Some times I feel like I’m living in the wrong generation. Things have changed so much since I started preaching over 50 years ago that I feel out of place. I wonder, “What in the world am I doing in the world?” Even with all the effort put forth by preachers and churches for centuries the world keeps getting worse rather than better. That causes some to say, “What’s the use?” So here we are in an ever changing world with a never changing message to a people who refuse to change for the better. Why?
Paul said, “to depart, and to be with Christ” would be “far better“(Phil. 1:23), but then he quickly added, “Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful“(Phil. 1:24). That makes me realize that if this is the wrong generation I wouldn’t be living! In spite of the fact that I feel out of place, labeled too old fashioned, out of touch with the times,etc., God has a reason for me to be here or I wouldn’t. So regardless of how I feel or what others think, I am exactly where I need to be. So are you. We are a part of this generation for a purpose—“for such a time as this”.
Since God hasn’t given me a reversed version of His Word, nor the liberty to change it, nor permission to quit, I need to keep preaching it as it is to people as they are. The need to change is with this generation. Rather than me/you backing off, giving up, or joining the ranks of this generation, it needs to return to the old paths. It’s not my job to change the world, but my joy to tell the world of the One who can and eventually will. May it be said of us what was said of David who “served his own generation by the will of God” (Acts 13:36)—HDS
