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Good morning, dear friends. This morning, I could be tempted to be fearful, with all the talk of the Coronavirus. You, too? Or have you decided that it's all a joke, with no need to concern yourself? It's been a few weeks of rocking back and forth between the two opinions, hasn't it? I believe that whichever way it goes, God knows. He's gone before us. He sees our dilemma, and He cares deeply for our condition…whatever our condition is. Is that a cop out? I don't think so. It's simply the way of the Christian. We are called to be a people different from the world around us. We are told not to worry. We are commanded in 1 Peter 5:7 to "Cast all our cares on Him, for He cares for us.' Worry will take us no place good. Worry and fear will ultimately drive us far from the God who deeply cares for us.
But maybe the Coronavirus movement isn't something that you are focused on this morning. Maybe it's something deeply personal. Maybe your suffering has already hit you like a tornado, coming out of, well, who knows where it came from? Maybe you just are laying low in the dust with a hurt so deep that you can't seem to pick yourself up and move forward. Maybe nobody knows, or understands the depth of your hurt, your anger, your confusion, or your loss. Dear friend, my heart aches for you…Jesus sees. He knows. He cares. Could there be words any more comforting than to know that we do not walk through our lives alone? There is that One who sees our pain, and He does care. When answers aren't forthcoming, or ever coming, where can we go but to the Lord?
I realize that some of you reading this morning will disagree with me. May I simply say, "There is a way that seems right to a man, but the end thereof is death"? I'm talking 'spiritual death' now. I believe we often miss opportunities to give all of our pain over to the Lord, because we think we can reason our way through. Friends, Christians are not called to reason…we are called to trust. We are called to pray. Psalm 34:4, 15 says to us: I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears…the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their cry. May I simply ask each of us, myself included, how often do we neglect the privilege of prayer…of seeking God in our desperation? Luke 18:1 says: I always pray, I don't faint, quit or give up. But, do we? Are we missing times of refreshing from the Lord, simply because we have taken our own way?
I recently have been so very blessed to lead a Bible study with a group of senior citizens. What joy. Oh, to have the faith of these dear, seasoned saints. They think I come to teach them, and have no clue how very blessed I am to be in their presence…to see the sparkle in their eyes, as they talk of their faith in Jesus. To listen to their journeys of faith, and how they struggled…until…until they simply gave up their own ways and turned to the God who loves them perfectly. What a blessing.
Friends, there will come a time for each of us…whether it be through a world wide virus that is threatening to take our lives, or something very personally painful, that has been allowed by God Almighty, for His reasons that we can't know now, that we will need to choose. We will need to decide for ourselves, is the God I know, who made me, who I love…is He trustworthy? Can I give every care in my heart over to Him and trust that He knows, He sees, and He cares? And with that thought, can I find comfort and peace…knowing He is enough?
Proverbs 3:5-8 tells us: Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh, and strength to your bones.
Friends, do not be overcome with fear over all that's happening around you. Trust in God. Turn away from your own thinking and the ways of the world around you. Be a bright light in somebody's world who desperately needs to see the Savior at work around them. Be still, and know that I am God.
Lord, we are so prone to worry and fear of the unknown. Help us reach for more of you instead. Help us to bring all that terrifies us to You and leave these things at Your feet. Give us eyes that see, and ears that hear…You, instead. We love You, Lord. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
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Debby Renninger is a freelance writer and inspirational speaker. She holds a Bible study in her home in McVeytown, where seeking women are always welcome. She may be reached at (717) 250-7086 for speaking engagements.