Through the uncertainty and burdens of these days, God is calling us to deeper communion with Him. He can use this time to help us grow in our faith. As we set our gaze on His amazing grace we will find stability and peace to face every challenge.
Come and walk with me through a very treasured and familiar portion of Scripture...
The Lord is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
Psalm 23:1
The eternal and ever-loving God is caring for me!
Because He is faithful to all His promises I can be assured that He will provide.
I will never lack anything I need.
He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
Psalm 23:2
The Lord, my shepherd, makes sure I can rest.
He skillfully leads me to quiet and pleasant places.
He provides the peace and the comfort I need.
He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name's sake.
Psalm 23:3
I find healing and forgiveness in my Shepherd.
He brings me back where I belong, giving me the proper heart focus and peace.
God leads me along the path that is right and good, for my best and for His glory.
It is here, in this place of humble dependence, that we receive the provision and care of God. He speaks to us primarily through His Word, by His Spirit, and through prayer. Be encouraged that any time you spend seeking the Lord by these means will never be wasted time. He really is the one who can perfectly care for us. In any and all circumstances He is able to guide us in His truth and love.
The question is, are we willing to follow?
written by Gina
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It is done by a college student at home:
Trapped.
That’s the easiest way to describe how I’ve felt since the world crumbled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
I can’t see my friends. I can’t go to the store. I can’t swing by my favorite restaurants on the way home from work. Simply put, I’m trapped.
Two weeks ago, I had the freedom to visit and go wherever I wanted. Last week, I watched as sporting events, amusement parks, and churches closed their doors for the foreseeable future. Today, I am on day eight of being indoors with my family.
It’s shocking how fast things can change, isn’t it?
As a 22-year-old, I’ve never known a “slow-paced” society. Instead, my life has been filled with activities, restaurants, and events that pulled me all over the place. Yet, for the first time in my life that isn’t the case. Instead of dates with my boyfriend or dinners with my best friend, I am stuck inside with no place to go.
The first few days proved restful. However, before long it became monotonous, and I was fearful as to whether life would go back to normal or not. It’s new, it’s different, and it’s changing! And for many of us, when those things happen, it can send us into a fearful fit that brings anxiety and uneasiness.
As believers, we know that the battle is already won. But, was the war ever really about the freedom to leave the house? Maybe not at first. But we as a culture have grown busy and fast, I can’t help but wonder if the Lord is using it to teach us a lesson.
"Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth," Psalm 46:10.
“Be still and know that I am God” – what a thought.
In the chaos of life it is hard to be still. We have places to go, people to see, and things to accomplish. It isn’t wrong to be busy, it's just normal. But during busyness do we ever stop and think, “Wow. I need to just take a break and magnify my Creator during my everyday tasks.”
I never have.
Because being still isn’t interesting. It can be boring. But in this verse, the Lord is clear – it takes the stillness to see how powerful and worthy He is. So maybe, a quarantine is what we need to realize He is who He says He is.
The second eye-catching truth of this verse is He says He will be exalted among nations and in the earth. So far, this virus has changed China, Italy, and the stock market. It’s worldwide.
And what did that verse say? He will be exalted where? Across the world.
In every nation the virus has touched, people have been asked to remain indoors. Be quarantined. Don’t leave home. Be still.
This will end. We will be reunited with friends, family, and loved ones. It’s all going to be okay. But before that can happen, we must remember Who is in control. When we do that, fears and anxieties cease. Then, we have the freedom to relearn how to love He who should be out first love.
He will be exalted.
He will remain unchanged.
He will stay on the throne.
Taking some time at home to beat this world-stopping virus will not kill us. Instead, it has the potential to awaken us to the real reality God is in control, and He will be exalted.
Maybe this mania is a wake up call to the soccer mommas, the workaholic daddies, the busy kiddos, and the on-the-go college student. Two weeks, two months, or two years is nothing compared to the eternity we must behold with our Savior above. Instead of worrying what tomorrow will bring, maybe a quarantine is a head start exalting the One who is one the throne both today and forever.