peace and punishment
"Lord, save us! We are lost!" —Matthew 8:25
In His justice, the Lord promises to punish those who have sinned, especially those He has favored (Am 3:2). We have already been punished by major upheavals but still have not returned to the Lord (Am 4:11). So now the Lord will deal with us in His own way (Am 4:12). We must prepare to meet our God (Am 4:12).
As we face a major payment of the wages of sin (see Rm 6:23), we should:
- repent. The Lord wants to give us mercy rather than justice, if we would only repent.
- "correct those who are confused; the others you must rescue, snatching them from the fire" (Jude 22).
- believe in Jesus. He can take the worst storm and turn it into "complete calm" (Mt 8:26).
"Those times will be more distressful than any between God's work of creation and now, and for all time to come. Indeed, had the Lord not shortened the period, not a person would be saved. But for the sake of those He has chosen, He has shortened the days" (Mk 13:19-20). Jesus assures us: "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Have faith in God and faith in Me" (Jn 14:1). Jesus promises: "I tell you all this that in Me you may find peace. You will suffer in the world. But take courage! I have overcome the world" (Jn 16:33). Peace!
Prayer: Father, I will trust in You — no matter what.
Promise: "So now I will deal with you in My own way." —Am 4:12
Praise: Jim delivered a stinging prophecy to a fellow seminarian who had grown lukewarm. The seminarian was hostile and angry for a time, but soon repented and received the Holy Spirit.
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Robert L. Hagedorn, November 29, 1995
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, December 4, 1995