Our pastor, Chuck Smith, taught us this simple truth, “Blessed are the flexible for they shall not be broken.” It’s true. If there were ever times that required flexibility it’s now. Our theme for 2020 is “Into Faith We Go” and already God is calling upon us to live by and respond by faith!
John 14:27 (NLT) “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.”
The spread of the coronavirus has caused major disruptions, changes, and as one media outlet called it, “forced new realities”. It’s also stirred up new fears, anxieties, and even widespread panic. But one thing has not changed, the sovereignty of God. He is still on the throne. This is the time, this is the year, to arise as a Church scattered to help those in need. We may temporarily not be able to meet as the “Church gathered”, but we are the Church exactly where the Lord wants us!
Fear not friend, God is still on the throne! He is our strength and hope and motivation to love others!
In teaching through Second Timothy chapter four, Pastor Chuck Smith speaks strong words of encouragement to us in our times of fear, discouragement, and even depression. Let’s listen in.
2 Timothy 4:17 (NLT) “But the Lord stood with me and gave me strength so that I might preach the Good News in its entirety for all the Gentiles to hear. And he rescued me from certain death.”
“You remember Jesus said to the disciples. You are going to be brought before the courts, before the kings and before the judges. Don’t take any forethought of what you are going to be saying, for in that hour the Holy Spirit will come upon you and give you the words to speak. It’s interesting how the Lord always is there in the darkest nights. The Lord is always there to stand by you. When you pass through the waters, they will not overflow you or I will be with you. Fear not, for I am with thee. Be not dismayed, I am thy God. The Lord has promised to be with us in those dark hours of our lives.
We find with Paul, as he had many periods of real discouragement. It seemed like the Lord would come and stand with him in those darkest nights. When Paul was in Corinth, his venture into Europe would seem to be a disaster. He was beaten, imprisoned, having to escape from the cities under the cover of darkness, under the cover of subterfuge. Finally arriving at the wicked city of Corinth, Paul just seems to be shell-shocked, gun shy and at the night the Lord came to Paul. He said, don’t be afraid. Speak up, because I am with you. There shall no man lay his hands on you to hurt you. And so the Lord was encouraging Paul. I’ve got a lot of people in this city, Paul. Don’t be afraid. Go ahead and speak out.
In what, I think, was probably the darkest night of Paul’s life, when his life long ambition to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ to the Jews in Jerusalem finally came. He was standing there on the porch of the Antonio Fortress and the Jews were on the temple mount, below him. He now had the great opportunity that he had longed for from the day of his conversion.”
You may be overcome with fear and anxiety yourself. Know that the Lord is always there in the darkest nights. You’re not alone. The pandemic will soon pass, but God’s presence will never leave or forsake you!
Isaiah 26:3 (NLT) “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!”
Thank you and Godbless