Birth Pangs...

Devotional by Cheryl Hall

“The disciples came to Jesus and said…’What will be the sign of Your coming and the end of the age?’ Jesus answered, ‘See that no one deceives you. Many will come in My name claiming to be the Messiah and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars but don’t be alarmed. Such things must happen first, but the end is not yet. Nation will rise against nation, kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pangs.’” - (Matthew 24)

As a nurse, I can’t tell you how many times a first time mom comes in to give birth, and declares to everyone she’s “going to do it all natural. No pain meds, no epidural, no nothing!” As a team we grant her wish and help her through the process of birthing, only to have her screaming at us that she “needs help!”…demanding an epidural, pain killers, anything! “NOW!” The birth pains of prophecy are no different. Somehow, we all thought it was going to be easier than it is.

No one was prepared for the level of deception and lies that has damaged our society, our lives, our jobs. No one was prepared for how scary it would feel. Many Believers have stated that they were certain that God would’ve taken us out of here by now…and in believing that way have found themselves unprepared to handle these birth pangs.

God never lies. His very nature is one of speaking Truth-the whole Truth! He told us we would go through “perilous times in the end.” He tried to warn us with the comparison to giving birth…it can go on for much longer than we had hoped…we cry, we honestly think we can’t do it at times, and we call out in pain. He told us to expect this, and it’s here.

Powers that crave more power will deceive many to achieve their goal of complete domination over our lives. Jesus said-“Don’t allow yourself to be deceived.” It’s not for the “greater good of society” it’s for Satan’s good. The wars will be plentiful, and this week proves that violence is abundant in the earth. But He said this will happen BEFORE the end comes. He’s clear with us.

Famines and earthquakes are another sign to watch for. If you don’t look them up you’d not even know they’re happening. The tightly controlled government run media only tells you what they want you to know. But as we speak, 10% of the world is starving, and it’s rising. 811 million people are starving to death right now, and nobody even mentions it. It could be called a pandemic of hunger but it’s ignored entirely. Just in 2021, 8 months of data, world-wide earthquakes ranging from 4.0-7.9, are tallied at 8,804! It’s as though the earth is seizuring! Once again, they’re barely mentioned, but Jesus said to watch for this, and it’s here.

Friends, these are times like no other, but the birth pangs mean a Birth is near. Soon, the cries of the weary will be replaced with shouts for joy, as our faith has now been given sight! We will see Him face to face, and He will lovingly “wipe every tear from our faces.” This moment of complete joy will never be taken away. This time? It’s forever!