SIT REPORT: The Victorious Year of 2021
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As of late, many followers of Christ have been struggling with emotional and spiritual fatigue, which devolve into bouts of frustration and anger, leading to near depression. For most, the cause is concern about recent world developments and whether or not there is any light at the end of the tunnel — any hope of a brighter future. To those experiencing these symptoms, pastors regularly prescribe reading scriptures such as Philippians 4:6 – 7:
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and pleading with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”
This is good counsel! The Word of God has been given to us for such times as these to provide believers with comfort and peace. But it is also true that the Bible has been given to us to provide “perspective” and therefore I often point believers to scriptures like these:
“Look among the nations! Observe! Be astonished! Wonder! Because I am doing something in your days—You would not believe if you were told” (Habakkuk 1:5 NASB).
“Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen” (Ephesians 3:20, 21 NKJV).
The Word of God has been given to us for such times as these to provide believers with comfort and peace.
From God’s perspective, these are days of opportunity and victory as He is pouring out His Spirit upon millions and millions of people worldwide — even during these days of testing, strife, and calamity. In fact, in the past 2,000 years (since the Great Commission was given to us by the Lord), we have never experienced such a massive ingathering of souls to the Kingdom! And this multitude of new believers is filled with an unparalleled deep hunger for the Word of God. As the world’s false religions crumble in their minds, God’s truth is filling the void.
In order to alleviate sadness and fatigue, it is necessary for believers in Christ to take our eyes off the depressing world situation for a moment, and rather gaze intently into the current massive building program in the Kingdom of God. Look among the nations with me! You’ll be astonished and amazed as to how Jesus is building His Church. It far exceeds anything that we could have ever believed was possible or even dreamt of.
From my perspective, THIS IS the partial fulfillment of Joel 2:28 – 29 NASB:
“It will come about after this That I will pour out My Spirit on all mankind; And your sons and your daughters will prophesy, Your old men will have dreams, Your young men will see visions. And even on the male and female servants I will pour out My Spirit in those days.”
Please read and consider the following historical account of people who endured seemingly endless and inconceivable hardship and suffering.
In the First World War (1914 to 1918), the majority of the fighting in Europe revolved around the battling nations constructing and occupying a network of trenches stretching from the North Sea to the Swiss border. When attacks were launched, swarms of troops would emerge from the trenches and attempt to overwhelm the enemy who were well fortified in their own trenches, sometimes only a few hundred yards away. Invariably, they were cut down with machine guns and artillery fire. The landscape between the trenches was bleak — no grass, living trees or wildlife. Just mud, bomb craters, barbed wire, dead bodies, blood, pain, and suffering. Millions of soldiers died in this wasteland of conflict, which came to be known in history as “The Western Front.” For years, no progress was made by either army as both sides in the conflict dug in, became entrenched in their positions, and succumbed to the grim belief that the war would never end.
Surprisingly, there were breaks in the network of trenches caused by the terrain or other factors. On occasion, those soldiers near the gaps could carefully peak over the lip of the trench and catch a glimpse of fields of green grass, tall trees, hills, meadows, and even at times small animals and livestock. The soldiers’ eyes would fill with tears and their hearts would leap within them as they realized that somewhere, not far away from them, life was relatively normal. The energy that had been drained from their lives due to war was briefly rekindled as they saw a colourized world of hope.
Today, if you are feeling fatigued or depressed — I would encourage you to stop visualizing the future through the world’s eyes and assume God’s perspective on the world. Remember, our hope is in Jesus! Peer over the edge of your trench and look at what God is currently doing around the world. We are victors in Christ, and the Holy Spirit is being poured out on millions worldwide. Missions is, and will be, a success.
His bondservant,
Ron
Ron Pearce
President/Founder
