Don’t Give Up: There's Good News

Life is difficult. We live in a fallen world where suffering can be brutal and hard to bear up under.

The world at large is now living with one such event – the global coronavirus or COVID-19 pandemic. One would have to be living under the proverbial rock not to have heard of or been personally affected by this. As of this writing, some 665,297 COVID-19 cases are confirmed and 30,901 deaths, worldwide. Public health officials say these numbers will continue to rise but are unable to say when the curve will flatten to signify no new cases. Countries have closed borders and non-essential operations to try and curb the spread, even as overtaxed medical institutions and personnel are caring for record numbers of very sick patients with less than the essential resources needed.

No one, it seems, was prepared for the enormity of the disease spread, nor the danger. It all escalated so fast!!

With lives and livelihoods at risk and no end to the devastation in sight, fear and anxiety are high. People are confused, uncertain, helpless, and angry. Everyone is vulnerable and as always happens in times of unprecedented tragedy, some are asking: Where is God in all this? And the answer to that question hasn’t changed, GOD is very much present.

Believers should not expect non-believers to find comfort in hearing that GOD is present in suffering, as we do. GOD’s presence ought to provide a supernatural calm and peace for you who are in Christ JESUS. (Philippians 4:7) This for you is good news, even as you go through this dark valley.

The good news – GOD is in your trials.

To assume that believers will escape personal tragedy during this pandemic is irresponsible as well as unbiblical. GOD doesn’t promise you a blissful, happily-ever-after, trouble-free life here on earth. On the contrary, His Word says you will have many trials and sorrows. But you also have His assurance of peace in trials (John 16:33) and His presence as you go through them, whatever the outcome. (Psalm 23:4, Isaiah 43:2.)

In the last 120 years other disease pandemics have happened – influenzas and cholera, to name a few. Millions died then but millions also survived to carry on, believers included. GOD provided protection, healing, comfort and restoration then and He is doing so now, all according to His will. GOD is forever the unchanging factor in our world, and He’s doing today what He did before.

Forget that GOD is Sovereign Ruler and it opens the door to fear and chaotic thoughts. You lose focus and you begin to lose hope. Refocus your thoughts on the Almighty GOD and His WORD and you begin to feel secure and comforted, regardless of your actual circumstances.

GOD’s WORD is where you find everything that you need for your time of need.

Know that all scripture is relevant, not just the “feel good” parts. The Bible tells us that Everything in the Scriptures is GOD’s Word. All of it is useful for teaching and helping people and for correcting them and showing them how to live. 2 Timothy 3:16 (CEV.) Everything in the Scriptures is GOD’s Word and is useful in the lives of believers.

GOD understands pain. So, He provides hope, encouragement, comfort and love through His WORD which penetrates to the deepest part of your soul and gives you peace. When spouses, relatives, or best friends are unable to calm your fears and doubts, GOD’s WORD does. For times of sorrow and conflict, none does it better than the Book of Psalms.

King David wrote many of the hymns of praise, lament, and petition you’ll find in this Book. Few biblical characters are better qualified. Personal betrayals, persecutions, death of dear friends and children, threats to his life, banishment, wars, plagues – David experienced it all.

These are some favorites verse references. In some cases, you will want to continue through the entire Psalm (New Living Translation):

• The Lord is a shelter for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. Those who know your name trust in you, for you, O Lord, do not abandon those who search for you. Psalm 9:9-10
• Lord, you know the hopes of the helpless. Surely you will hear their cries and comfort them. Psalm 10:17.
• Keep me safe, O God, for I have come to you for refuge. I said to the Lord, “You are my Master! Every good thing I have comes from you.” Psalm 16:1-2
• I know the LORD is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me. Psalm 16:8
• Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. Psalm 23:4
• The Lord is my light and my salvation—so why should I be afraid? The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble? Psalm 27:1
• The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress. Psalm 46:11
• Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him. Psalm 62:5
• Praise God, who did not ignore my prayer or withdraw his unfailing love from me. Psalm 66:20
• Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness, nor the disaster that strikes at midday. Though a thousand fall at your side, though ten thousand are dying around you, these evils will not touch you. Psalm 91:6-7
• Those who are righteous will be long remembered. They do not fear bad news; they confidently trust the Lord to care for them. Psalm 112:6b-7
• It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in people. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever. Psalm 118:8,29
• The Lord keeps you from all harm and watches over your life. The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever. Psalm 121:7-8
• You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Psalm 139:13-14

For all your trials and suffering GOD has a way to joy and victory. He gives you Himself. GOD is not separate from His WORD. As you read, pray, and meditate you get to know Him and His purpose.

Your world may seem terrifying but know that GOD is able to redeem and restore anything for your good and ultimately His glory. (Romans 8:28)

Feel free to question any of it; GOD can handle our questions. But keep abiding and keep trusting in Him.

Can you understand the mysteries surrounding God All-Powerful? They are higher than the heavens and deeper than the grave. Job 11:7-8 (CEV)

To be continued…

Prayer and Thanksgiving: Our Abba Father, YOU are Immanuel, GOD with us, Preserver, Protector and Savior over all. You, LORD, quiet the fear and trembling in our souls and soothe our chaotic thoughts by the power of YOUR living WORD. Impress upon us a faith that is rich and strong so we can live by faith, hope through faith and, in all circumstances, have the joy of faith. We give all glory, all honor, and all praise to YOU and we ask all things in JESUS name.  Amen!

Always by God’s Word and prayer,

Cecile

Making the Most of Our (GOD’s) Time

“Goodness! Where did the time go?”

I’m always “losing” time, it seems to slip through my fingers unnoticed, leaving behind a fistful of unfinished business.

Everyone gets the same twenty-four hours in a day. No exceptions! Take one-third to sleep and recharge and there’s still sixteen hours left for work, ministry and recreation. Even so we can come to the end of our day feeling let down by time because we haven’t done everything we had planned to do.

But if we’re being honest, we must admit that time isn’t the problem. We are. We’re not losing time, we’re giving it away, mis-managing it. We’re being poor stewards of the minutes and hours that GOD gives us daily, and this cannot be pleasing to Him.  

Our heavenly Father cares about time.

GOD cares about our stewardship of time. We know this because His WORD tells us so: Pay careful attention, then, to how you live—not as unwise people but as wise—making the most of the time, because the days are evil. So don’t be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Ephesians 5:15-17 CSB.

The WORD is very specific. It is GOD’s will that we manage our time well. Why? Time is a gift GOD allotted to each of us to do His will here on earth. We who are the body of CHRIST must be diligent about our Father’s business, and pay careful attention, then, to how you live.

Matthew Henry’s Bible commentary on Ephesians 5:15-17 says in part that, Time is a talent given us by God, and it is misspent and lost when not employed according to his design.

Instead of asking where did the time go, we must ask am I spending my time wisely; am I honoring GOD in how I use my time.

Our time is our life.

Time is a gift from God, just as life is a gift. It’s a package deal, we don’t get one without the other. To undervalue our time is to undervalue our lives.

Pastor and author Andrew Murray (1828 – 1917) said, a day is a link in the “chain” that represents our entire lives, “…the single days do indeed make up the whole, and that the value of each single day depends on its influence on the whole. One day lost is a link broken in the chain, which it often takes more than another day to mend. 

Once a day is over, you do not get a recall. If you miss the opportunity to make good use of any day, you’re operating at a deficit. Catching up is hard! Time moves in but one direction, forward.

In our time management, as in all of life, GOD gives us the freedom to choose. A believer ought to choose with a single purpose in mind, to glorify the Father.

We may fall short but we can get back on track. Start each day with prayer and scripture meditation and take as many such breaks as you feel the need to during the day. This is by far the wisest use of our time if it will help us to making GOD-honoring choices and decisions. Prayer and meditation on GOD’s WORD will refocus our passions and GOD will always endorse what honors Him.

Pray for GOD to:

• remove tendencies toward procrastination and idleness. (James 4:17; Prov 10:4)
• reveal His specific will for your life. (Prov 3:5-6)
• give you wisdom to make good decisions. (James 1:5)
• strengthen your eternal perspective so you can put off worldly desires. (2 Cor 4:18)
• give you a divine appreciation for your own unique gifts and talents so you don’t become discouraged by other’s abilities and success. (Eph 2:10)

We are God’s people, and we are to be about his business…Time is a precious commodity. I refuse to allow what little time I have to be contaminated by self-pity, anxiety, or boredom. I will face this day with the joy of a child and the courage of a giant. While it is here, I will use it for loving and giving. Today I will make a difference.  From Max Lucado’s “God Is With You Every Day” devotional.  

Live each day the Ephesians 5:15-17 way:

• Make wise choices
• Make every minute of time count
• Make the will of GOD your focus

We each have a unique place and purpose in our Father’s Kingdom so our days are not going to look the same. However, we each have one task in common for every day, that is to fully embrace and enjoy each new day our Heavenly Father gives to us. (Psalm 118:24)

GOD give us all things to enjoy, time included!!

Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered—how fleeting my life is. Psalm 39:4

Prayer and Thanksgiving: Omniscient Father and GOD, thank you for choosing us to enjoy Your precious gift of time and for teaching us its value to the Kingdom. Give us wisdom to know and do Your will and forgive us for self-indulgences that do not benefit Your Holy Church. Thank You for answered prayers and Your WORD that tests our hearts and changes our desires. To you belong all dominion and power for ever and ever. In the name of JESUS CHRIST, our LORD. Amen!

Always by God’s Word and prayer,

Cecile