BECOMING A BETTER PERSON DURING BAD TIMES.

Charles Dickens said of the godless and bloody, French Revolution: “It was the best of times; it was the worst of times.” The times we are experiencing now in America mirror in many ways the times Dickens was writing about when godless men and philosophies were making a ruin of France. It was the “worst of times” because those times brought out the worst that is in men and women; it was the “best of times” because those times also brought out the best that is in men and women. As it was there and then, so it is here and now. The 6th century Greek philosopher Heraclitus said, “Great dooms win greater destinies.” He was absolutely right.

Today is a good day to pray and resolve that these times, undoubtedly the worst in American history, will bring out the very best that is in us. Reflect some on the magnificence of attitude that caused the apostle Paul to say, “I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong (2 Cor. 12:10).

Many of us have never felt more weak and helpless than we do now as we watch the spiritual disintegration of our society and nation — eaten up by sin, rotting from the inside out and being severed from its roots. Christians ask, “What can we do in times like these?” the answer is that we must ask for and find grace to become the best we can be, every day, beginning today.

Being under Spirit-filled preaching and teaching in God’s house on the Lord’s day and in the Word of God and in prayer in our houses the rest of the week has never been more important than it is now (Heb. 10:25; Ps. 1:1-3). This will make the very best that is in us, which is the Spirit of the living God (1 Cor. 3:16), shine forth in power and make these “worst of times” the “best of times,” to God’s glory and for our good.