Hope amidst chaos

It is hard to escape the sense that our world is in chaos. Every day, the news bombards us with reports of wars, disasters, and conflicts. On a personal level, many of us feel overwhelmed by challenges—sickness, grief, financial uncertainty, or broken relationships. In moments like these, we might cry out, "God, where are You?" Or in Jesus words: "My God, My God, why have you forsaken me".

The Scriptures we explore today—Daniel 12 and Mark 13—speak directly to such moments. They acknowledge the reality of suffering but also lift our eyes to the horizon of hope. They remind us that even when the world shakes, God's plan remains unshakable. Daniel 12 opens with a stark admission: there will be "a time of trouble, such as never has been since there was a nation." It’s an acknowledgment that life is not without suffering. Yet, embedded in this warning is an assurance of God’s protection. Daniel speaks of Michael, the great prince who stands watch over God's people. This is not a distant God uninvolved in human affairs. This God actively intervenes, sending His heavenly forces to guard His people. Then comes the promise of deliverance: "Everyone whose name shall be found written in the book" will be saved. This is a reminder of God's intimate knowledge of His people. Your name, my name—God knows them. He has written them in His book, and that inscription marks His unbreakable commitment to us. But the hope extends even further: “Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life” (v. 2). This is one of the earliest and clearest promises of resurrection in the Bible. For those who trust in God, death is not the end.


And then, there’s a beautiful image of eternal glory: “Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky, and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever” (v. 3).

Even when life seems dark, Daniel reminds us that the story is not over. God's justice, deliverance, and resurrection power are on the way. He invites us to live with an eternal perspective, trusting that our suffering is temporary compared to the glory to come. Fast forward to Jesus, walking with His disciples near the magnificent temple in Jerusalem. When they marvel at its grandeur, He shocks them: "Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone will be left here upon another; all will be thrown down." To the disciples, the temple was a symbol of stability, God’s presence, and their nation’s identity. To hear Jesus predict its destruction was unsettling. Jesus goes on to describe wars, earthquakes, and famines—things that sound like the chaos we experience today. Yet He tells them: "Do not be alarmed." These are not the end but "the beginning of birth pains." Birth pains are significant. They are intense and sometimes excruciating, but they are purposeful. They signify that something new and beautiful—a child—is about to enter the world. In the same way, the turmoil in our world is not meaningless. God is birthing something new: His kingdom in fullness. Jesus also warns about false messiahs and fearmongers. In times of crisis, it’s easy to latch onto false hopes or succumb to despair. But Jesus calls us to stay rooted in the truth: God is sovereign, and His plan is unfolding even when we cannot see it.

Both Daniel and Jesus present a world in turmoil but also point us toward hope. How do we live as people of faith in such uncertain times? Just as Michael stood guard over God’s people in Daniel’s vision, we can trust that God is actively working for our good. Jesus assures us that the chaos we see is not the end but part of God’s redemptive plan. Daniel speaks of the wise leading others to righteousness and shining like stars. Jesus warns against being led astray by fear or deception. Our calling is to live faithfully, staying grounded in God’s Word and sharing His hope with others. Both Daniel and Jesus remind us that suffering is temporary, but God’s promises are eternal. Daniel speaks of resurrection and everlasting life. Jesus points to the coming of His kingdom. When we fix our eyes on eternity, the troubles of today take on a different perspective. They are painful, yes, but they are not the end of the story. What does it mean to live as people of hope in a chaotic world? First, we need to Pray with Confidence: In prayer, we align ourselves with God’s eternal purposes. Prayer reminds us that God is bigger than our struggles. Second, Encourage One Another: Like the wise in Daniel’s vision, we can lead others to righteousness by sharing God’s truth and light in a world darkened by despair. And third, Act with Courage: Hope is not passive. It empowers us to act with love, compassion, and boldness, knowing that God’s kingdom is advancing even when it feels hidden.

Daniel 12 and Mark 13 remind us that chaos does not have the final word. The God who was with Daniel, who walked with the disciples, and who overcame death itself is the same God who is with us today. When the world feels like it's falling apart, let us remember: that God is writing a story of redemption. He is birthing something new. And for those whose names are written in His book of life, there is the promise of eternal glory. So take heart. Do not be alarmed. God is in control, and His kingdom is coming. Amen.


Popular posts from this blog

Held in the Middle: The Holy Family and the World We Know

Image
It’s easy to picture the Holy Family behind stained glass—quiet, perfect, safe. Mary never worries. Joseph never feels afraid. The baby Jesus seems untouchable. But the truth is far closer—and far more real. Jesus was born into a world that looks surprisingly like our own. An empire makes decisions far away, while ordinary families bear the consequences. Travel is difficult and risky. Stability is fragile. Power protects itself first. That isn’t ancient history. That is the daily news. The Holy Family lives under decree and surveillance, counted but not cared for. Today, too many families live under systems that track, tax, displace, and exhaust them, offering little protection in return. They arrive in Bethlehem because they must. They give birth where they can. The first bed is a feeding trough. The first night is cold. And this is where God chooses to arrive. Not above vulnerability. But inside it. Isaiah says: “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.”...
Read more

Called Before We Know

Image
Isaiah 49:1–7 | 1 Corinthians 1:1–9 | John 1:29–42 Isaiah speaks with a kind of quiet boldness when he says, “The Lord called me before I was born; while I was in my mother’s womb he named me.” This is not poetic exaggeration. It is a deep theological claim about how God works. Calling does not begin with our awareness, our choices, or our faithfulness. It begins with God’s knowing. Most of us discover our calling only after the fact.   Looking back, we begin to see how God was shaping us through experiences that felt ordinary—or even painful—at the time. Restlessness. Failure. Long seasons of obscurity. None of these cancel a calling. In Scripture, they often accompany it. Isaiah himself admits discouragement. He confesses that his work has felt pointless, his effort wasted. Calling, after all, does not guarantee that our lives will feel effective. Faithfulness can feel unseen. Obedience can feel unrewarded. And yet God responds not with rebuke, but with a widening of ...
Read more

Holding the Light While We Wait

Image
The Presentation of the Lord (Candlemas) Malachi 3:1–4 · Hebrews 2:14–18 · Luke 2:22–40 The Feast of the Presentation of the Lord stands at a quiet threshold in the Church year. Behind us are the lights and songs of Christmas. Ahead of us lies the long road toward the Cross. Candlemas is not a loud feast. It is a listening one. It is about waiting. And it is especially about waiting when life has already known sorrow. The God Who Comes to Refine, Not to Flee (Malachi 3:1–4) The prophet Malachi announces with confidence: “The Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple.” But he immediately asks a harder question: “Who can endure the day of his coming?” God’s presence, Malachi reminds us, is not always easy. It is refining fire. It is fuller’s soap. Not because God wishes to destroy, but because God desires to heal what has been distorted. For those who carry grief, this matters. God’s refining work is not proof of abandonment. Often, it is proof of nearnes, working q...
Read more