Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD and against his Anointed, saying, “Let us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us.” - Psalm 2:1 –3 (ESV)

Political instability, war on the horizon, the potential for devastation and an end to our way of life. Is this a description of our moment in history? Actually it could be used to talk about many times and ages. In many ages these words would be a more apt description than today. However, the world is a troubled place on an international, national, and personal level. This rebellion is not just nation against nation, but actually had deeper more spiritual roots. It will take a greater more powerful ruler then merely a human president or king.

Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead. - Luke 10:30 (ESV)

One thing that amazes me about Jesus is his ability to see through all the smoke screens that people would put up especially religious people. Religious folk, like us, are great at using our faith as a shield to avoid love and action. The parable of the Good Samaritan is a great example of that kind of deflection.

For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die—but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. - Romans 5:6 –8 (ESV)

Suffering, pain, and anxiety are a pressure cooker. In those times, days, and years we feel the weight of life. At times it can be hard to do anything. These moments bring many questions. Why? Has God forgotten about me? Does He care? Don't I deserve something better? Can't life be easy? How do I know He even loves me?

That is why his faith was “counted to him as righteousness.” But the words “it was counted to him” were not written for his sake alone, but for ours also. - Romans 4:22 –24 (ESV)

Have you ever doubted your faith? What made you doubt? What did you do with those doubts? Have you ever talked about them? Often in the church we treat doubt with disapproving frown and even scold people for asking questions.

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. - Romans 5:1 –2 (ESV)

We often think of theology as an academic study disconnected from real life. Big books and ivory towers are what theologians use and where they live, but those of us that live in the real world we just want something we can do. We need a principle for Monday on Sunday.

And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness, - Romans 4:5 (ESV)

Recently, I've had a little bit of "windshield time." During these drives I enjoy listening to podcasts especially those that explore a story. My most recent listen involved an experiment to understand the most complex issue involved in space travel, humans. This case study explored the interactions of six people simulating life on Mars for a full year by being sequestered to a living space no bigger then a two-car garage. Sound fun? These case studies provide data and allow researchers to develop general principles from specific incidents.