Deuteronomy 31:8
“It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you nor forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”
As believers what is going on in this world should not plunge us into fear. As his children, we should know better we do not spread fear we calm it in ourselves and others around us. God will offer a peace through us that surpasses all understanding if we allow him to work through us. Scripture is very clear about what is happening in the world today, and we have been warned for thousands of years. In these times we take comfort in those scriptures, and we should all be encouraging others to do the same. We should all be working hard as his disciples in making sure his message is being heard and accurately. Our task is not an easy one, and we will find ourselves growing weary of the opposition if we are not careful. In these times it is important for us to take care of our spiritual well-being. How do we do that? Easy by not thinking we have it all figured out because in all reality we do not. What we all should be doing is taking it day by day one breath at a time listening to the Spirit to guide us. We are human and it’s natural to wonder about the future. Even those of us who are “content to live at the moment” types wonder about what the future will bring. It’s also natural to be anxious about the future, particularly in what we are dealing with today. This is something that has attacked the whole world at the same time. Everyone we talk to is doing the same thing as we are. Every person on the face of this planet is self-quarantining. Do not think that just because we are confined at home we can not still be about our Father's business because we can. Technology has enabled us to continue to reach others.
One thing we need to remember is not to forget about those that are saved because they need us too. Someone told me the other day they were becoming weary this is a person I have known for a while. Spiritually grounded in the word of God but I could hear the distress in their words. After a good talk and reminding them of the scriptures they knew so well they started bouncing back. When we finished talking they were ready to go back to battle. I do not care who you are if what is going on in the world is not affecting you then you need to have a coming to Jesus meeting! We need to lean on each other now more than we ever have. Do not think you can carry this all alone because you are not alone. We all need spiritual brothers and sisters that will hold us up when we feel like we are loosing balance. We need them to speak life through the scriptures back into us because we are at war.
The scripture listed above are the words of Moses, spoken to God’s people centuries ago, but they are timely words to us, as well today.
Here’s how the Word of God affirms us in a time such as this:
1) God’s Word affirms the experience of anxiety when we are entering “unknown territory.” The Israelites were about to enter unknown territory (the Promised Land!) and they were afraid for their future. Certainly, we are entering into unknown territory with the outbreak of the coronavirus, and we are anxious about the future and rightly so. The Bible affirms our experience and feelings of anxiety as God’s people throughout the ages have faced “unknown territory” and its accompanying anxiety.
2) These words encourage us to be reasonable, not reactionary.
Remember, we have never, truly and comprehensively, known what lies before us even in ordinary times. Even when things are going well, there is always the possibility of calamity. Some of you know this from personal experience. So, in one sense, while today’s territory feels uncertain to us, it has always been so.
We have to take precautions, be smart and responsible, but we don’t have to be reactionary, unduly fearful or anxious because we can consider, reasonably, that our situation is always one of complete dependence of God - truly and comprehensively.
But the most powerful resource for us from this text is this:
3) Whatever is ahead of us, the Lord is there too. “It is the Lord who goes before you.”
God is not quarantined. God is in control. The future is filled with the presence of God and God will meet us there as one fully aware of the terrain and ready to guide us through it. Those were the words of Moses to God’s people, then – and they continue to be God’s word to us, today!
So remember, in your anxious moments, to tell your heart, “It is the Lord who goes before me! He will be with me! He will not leave me nor forsake me. Do not fear or be dismayed.”
God was there yesterday, he will be here today, and he will without doubt be there tomorrow.
May God’s promises bring peace to your heart.
Prayer:
Dear God,
With all that’s happening in the world due to the coronavirus spread, we feel anxious. We feel anxious for our health, our families, our coworkers and employees, the community, and the world. Help us, Lord, to continue to trust you and to not be afraid. We know that you were with us yesterday, you are here with us today, and you will be there for us tomorrow. Please protect us in these uncertain times. Lord, please empower and protect those who are working on the vaccination. Guide their work to quick and good results. Please be with doctors and nurses who are on the “front lines” of our care. Give them energy for the task, compassion for patients, positive dynamics in their team-work, and faith in You. We ask these things through the blood of your precious Son Yeshua.
Amen.
Shannon Wendler