Incarnated into a Crazy World

The eternal Word of God was incarnated and born as a human being into a world reeling in political and military turmoil, economic stress, and religious oppression.

That sounds a lot like many parts of the world today, especially the Middle East—same place, similar issues.

The fall of the Assad dictatorship in Syria is a historic watershed event that has brought freedom to Syrians. Internationally, it thankfully devastates Iran’s and Russia’s influence in the area. It’s shrinking the door for Syrian migrants and asylum seekers in Europe. Israel has taken unprecedented opportunity in destroying military assets so as not to be used by terrorists. Syria is a crossroads, and the Middle East is massively realigning. Who knows but that our God may be above it all, aligning things toward historical culmination as the Bible describes it.

Caught in the middle are our brothers and sisters in Christ. Christians have populated Syria since the time of the New Testament. In Acts 9, near Damascus, the soon-to-be-apostle Paul got knocked off his horse and converted through Ananias in a house on Straight Street, which to this day is a major street in Damascus.

The Assads were secularized, minority Muslim Alawites and maintained an uneasy truce with the minority Christian population, giving them freedom of religion. The new Islamic fighters-turned-rulers promise freedom to religious minorities, but some signs indicate otherwise, and as with everything else, time will tell.

I encourage you to play a very small part, but a part, of world history that will matter to you and me and fellow believers—if not now, certainly in the future: Pray.

The book of Daniel powerfully portrays God as the Lord of history. I have no doubt God is working in world affairs now much as was revealed in Daniel. Pray that his will be done with Syria. With Israel. And for the Christians in Syria.

The eternal Word of God incarnated and born as a human being into a crazy world is being born in the hearts of increasing numbers of people today. Our heavenly Father is still the Lord of history. And he invites us to participate in prayer.

Photo credit: ABC News

Merry Christmas from My Home to Yours