We find ourselves living out a scenario that we have not seen before, or at least in my lifetime, and I am in my fifties. Some people are reacting with knee jerk reactions, grabbing stuff off the shelves with no thought for their fellow man. It is every man or woman for themselves! Schools are shut down, grocery shelves are empty, and people are having to stay away from their work environment, social distancing is a thing now. There are different reports as to how long this may last. Some say for a couple of weeks and still, others say it could be months.

 

Many are living in fear of the what if’s, what if I get sick, what if my child gets sick, what if someone I love dies from this illness called Covid-19? How will I know if I have it or have been exposed? The list is endless. People suddenly think it is a good idea to sanitize or wash their hands regularly, um I did not know that was not a common practice among so many.

 

For me I find myself desiring to lean in a little closer, listen more intently for the Holy Spirit’s voice of peace, comfort, and guidance. I want to know what my Bible, God’s holy inspired word has to say to me. His word is still living and active, it still has the power to save, to heal to teach. So, I go to his word to find what he tells me to do and in it, I find these words.

 

2 Chronicles 7:13-14 “When I shut up the heaven and there is no rain, or command the locusts to devour the land, or send pestilence among  My people, 14 if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”

 

What is it this verse tells us to do in times of trouble? Humble ourselves before God. In a generation that is all about me and full of pride and arrogance, this is a hard one. And then we are to pray, to seek His face and turn from our wicked ways. Can you think of some of the wickedness of our generation that is pretty much everywhere? I can…here are just a few, “abortions, homosexuality, gluttony, idols, pornography, sex-trafficking…and the list goes on.  This society thinks it can do as it pleases and still go to heaven, wrong!

 

What else does the word tell me?  In Isaiah 43:1 “Don’t fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine.”  Our Father in heaven tells us over 80 times in scripture to “have no fear.” How can we not fear? We can remember “who” we belong to. We can trust that He is always with us, He will never leave us or forsake us.” Joshua 1:5

 

What should we do when we feel afraid? Psalm 56:3 says: “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.” It really is that simple. We can trust God. The very same God who hangs the sun in the sky gives us air to breathe, the God who holds all things together is able to keep us as we go through not only this pandemic, but anything that comes to us in this life.

 

If that scripture is not enough how about this one: Philippians 4:6-7 ” Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present you requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”  I like knowing that God cand and will guard not only my heart but my mind. People we can have peace in our hearts and minds no matter what the news people tell us!!

 

Matthew 6:34 “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” So, for those of you all up in a tizzy wondering what tomorrow will bring. Relax, God’s got this, as a matter of fact, He is allowing it to happen. God is Sovereign over every single thing that happens on this earth. Nothing is ever a surprise to him or outside of his control. He is God!

 

My personal thoughts for what it is worth that just as our Pastor and others have said, “we are on pause.” We do not know what tomorrow or next week will bring, but for those of us who know Jesus, we know who holds all our tomorrows. And I go back to what God says we should do, and it is this. Humble yourself. Repent from your sins, ask for forgiveness for yourselves for known and unknown sins, but also ask for our nation. Ask for forgiveness for how our country has taken God out of everything.

It is funny how no one wants God all up in their business until they find they are in desperate need of Him, that life has thrown them a curveball and they are not sure what to do next. Pray people, Repent people, humble yourselves, people, seek God, lean in, listen close and rest in Jesus.

 

I will leave you with a few more scriptures. I hope you will look them up, read them for yourselves and let faith, not fear rise up in you!

 

Luke 12:22-26

Psalm 27:1

Psalm 55:22

Mark 4:39-40

Romans 8:38-39

Zephaniah 3:17

Psalm 91:1-16

 

If you do not know him as your Lord and Savior, now would be a great time to ask Him into your heart. He is able to save anyone no matter what they have done, or how many times they have done it. He is waiting at the door of your heart, will you open it and let Him come in?