“With flattery he will corrupt those who act wickedly toward the covenant, but the people who know their God will be strong and take action. Those who have insight among the people will give understanding to many, yet they will fall by the sword and flame, and they will be captured and plundered for a time. When they fall, they will be helped by some, but many others will join them insincerely. Some of those who have insight will fall so that they may be refined, purified, and cleansed until the time of the end, for it will still come at the appointed time.” Daniel 11:32-35 CSB https://bible.com/bible/1713/dan.11.32-35.CSB

When difficult times come, and perhaps they are here now, the people who know their God will be strong and take action. Who knows God? Those who pray diligently and study the Scripture consistently. Those who pray for God’s kingdom to come and His will to be done on earth as it is in heaven are in alignment with God. Those who earnestly read, study, and obey the Scriptures love God with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength. They will be strong in hard times, meaning they will not lose faith, they will not lose hope, and they will not cease to love those around them by sharing the gospel with those overwhelmed by their difficulties. Those who love God will take action to help others love God even when the culture despises God and punishes them for siding with God. Our current destruction of children through gender mutilation is an example of our culture’s hatred toward God and His creative order and an opportunity for God’s people to be strong and take action against this evil. The cost for such action will be persecution and possible loss of freedom and finances for some. This will only make them more refined, pure, and beautiful before their God and King, Who will reward them for all eternity for their faithfulness on earth. At a minimum, those who know their God should take action to vote in this coming election. There is a better choice between two evils; to not take action is to exacerbate the current evil, making future choices even harder. The lover of God does not cower and wait for God’s return but instead works for God’s return, which will occur when this gospel has been declared to all nations, beginning with those we know and love in our communities.