Penury. The introduction of Nama (National Asset Management Agency) has produced a new type of insurance. It covers the debts of banks to provide security for depositors, shareholders and bank staff. It will deal with dodgy loans, declining assets and make payments to the banks in the hope that they will lend more wisely in the future. Who underwrites the risks at this insurance company? Nama of course. But Nama is not Manna. It is not a heavenly source but it is you, if you pay taxes, who will provide! Piety There is a darkness that shrouds us. It is not just that sexual abuse reports are exposing the rot but that the perpetuators (state and church) are in charge of fixing it. Not much prospect for a “Truth and Reconciliation” commission here. Who would be on it? Who is left to bring justice to the victims? But worse than that unbelief stalks the land. It’s not just seen in the popularity of “new atheism” but in the laws being enacted which fly in the face of God’s law. The current Civil Union Bill capitulates to the gay lobby and fundamentally alters the definition of marriage. We sow to the wind and reap the whirlwind. Pandemic Just when we thought things could not get much worse we hear the sound of the whirlwind approaching. H1N1 (swine flu) started out in March from Mexico and has now visited 70 countries. It has hit the UK with more that 100,000 new cases weekly. Vaccines are being prepared and should be available around September. They should be successful in controlling the flu provided it does not mutate. Conclusion Destitution, godlessness and plagues, “we have had all these things before” you may say; and you would be right. But we are having them just now – and all together. Saint Peter, speaking of the time Jesus would return said that “in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.” Jesus spoke of the suddenness and certainty of his return when things will be set in order and cautioned his hearers to “be ready”. Read St Matthew chapter 24 verses 42-44. Readiness comes by relating to him. Speak to him in prayer right now and ask him to make you ready.
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