Forgiven. Guiltless. Righteous. Regenerate. Born again. New spirit. Redeemed. Adopted. Sealed. Sanctified. Preserved. Glorified. One day, resurrected. Hope. This is the message that a tumultuous culture needs to hear. They just need the gospel. And God calls us to speak. 

You can already feel it. This coming year is going to be a rowdy one, again. Depravity didn’t leap frog 2018. And according to my Bible, it won’t do so this year, or any year until glory. Last year ended with a hamartiological bang. Among other things, the year retired with a guy marrying a hologram, the normal political hulabaloo, a 7 year old senselessly murdered, a few New Year’s Eve terrorist attacks, etc. etc.

All that is likely an ominous omen of things to come in 2019. And it’s nothing new. Even more than our speculation, we know this year is going to be a rambunctious one. “Evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived” (2 Tim. 3:13).

What are God’s people to do amidst a tumultuous 2019? How can we best prepare ourselves for the bumpy ride?

Just about every year has been a rough one for God’s people. His word is given for such times as these. We need to keep the main things the main things.

1. Read the Bible

There’s a sense in which the crazier times get, the more we need to read Scripture. It’s really the only constant in the world. It’s a lamp to see in dark times. Scripture lights the only safe path. It anchors us when the worldly winds beat hard. It invigorates when we are weary. It gives wisdom when swimming in a sea of foolishness.

This past year was like living in a constant burlesque. At times, I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Doubtful things will change. Marinating our minds in Scripture keeps us sane. As increasingly gross manifestations of depravity become the norm, it’s easy for us to become desensitized. So, we have got to stay planted in Scripture. And, amidst the absurdity of the times, Scripture is the only thing to keep us from losing it. May God’s people read Scripture this year.

Those who love Your law have great peace, and nothing causes them to stumble (Ps. 119:165).

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