21 Then Isaiah the son of Amoz sent to Hezekiah, saying, “Thus says the LORD God of Israel,`Because you have prayed to Me against Sennacherib king of Assyria,
22 `this is the word which the LORD has spoken concerning him: “The virgin, the daughter of Zion, Has despised you, laughed you to scorn; The daughter of Jerusalem Has shaken her head behind your back!
23 “Whom have you reproached and blasphemed? Against whom have you raised your voice, And lifted up your eyes on high? Against the Holy One of Israel.
(Isa 37:21-23 NKJ)

I found great comfort in this passage tonight.  I’ve been dwelling on the bad news, on the hostility of the world to God’s people, probably too much lately.  And God never promised it would be easy all the time.  It wasn’t for Israel.  But we are Israel; we are the virgin daughter of Zion, the bride of the Lord, and He’s not going to let anything happen to us.  We may seem very weak, but when we know who stands behind us, coming to take us to Himself, why should we be afraid of the world?  I think Christians should have their eyes open, but we shouldn’t live in fear.  Let’s remind ourselves to be busy at the work God’s given us to do, of serving our fellow Christians, of raising our families, of loving our spouses, of being faithful in our places of employment, being faithful citizens, or whatever else God has put in front of us.  And when the world tries to frighten us with their bluster and threats, maybe we’d be better just shaking our heads at them, laughing, and ignoring them.

I say that with full knowledge of all the horrible things that are happening to Christians around the world right now.  But through their tears, they can laugh too, for salvation, and judgment, is coming.