Because nothing is normal and there is fear in the air, this week’s blog is two-fold. One is to give encouragement to believers in Jesus Christ and the other is an invitation to those who do not profess Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
Be encouraged! “God is our refuge and strength; a very present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear.” Psalm 46:1. “The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.” (Psalm 46:7)
So what are believers to do with those words of truth? God answers that question. “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations; I will be exalted in all the earth!” ( Psalm 46:10) The footnote of the NKJV Study Bible says, “This call to be still before the Lord is not in preparation for worship, but for impending judgment. Also see Habakkuk 2:20; Zephaniah 1:7; Zechariah 2:13.
God is the Almighty, the Commander of heaven’s armies. If God had the power to place the stars at their proper distance apart (and He does), and if He had the power to call everything visible and invisible by the Word of His mouth (and He does), is He not sovereign over coronavirus with all its ramifications (and He is)? We are secure in the Lord in these uncertain times. He is with us. Jesus is LORD, and He will never abandon us.
I admit, I had to process this unprecedented and unreal-feel of what’s going on in the world. I had to pray against my own fears. I had to pray, pray, pray. And God was, and is, faithful.
To try to stop the spread of coronavirus, schools, churches and businesses closed. Travel is restricted. Fan participation at sporting events is suspended. The game may go on, but the stands are empty. This serves as an analogy for Christians. Believers are not to be in the stands as fearful spectators. They are to be on the playing field! They are called to action to the world around them. Someone can’t do everything, but everyone can do something!
Jesus gave us two commands: to love God above all else, and to love others as yourself. (Matthew 22:37-39)
Death is real. We cannot run from that truth.
Believers are called to give hope to those who have no hope; to love our neighbors who may need help just getting groceries; to spread the gospel to those who may have heard it, but still reject it . Christians are to get in the game; to raise the banner of love; to exalt the name of Jesus!
I am extending an INVITATION to those who do not profess Jesus as Savior and Lord. Come! Jesus says this about Himself: “…whoever believes in Me should not perish (to be separated from God forever), but have eternal life.” “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
A Philippian jailer asked Paul, “What must I do to be saved?” Paul answered, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved.” (Acts 16:31) Jesus paid the penalty for the sins of the world when He died in our place on the cross, and He offers forgiveness of sins and eternal life to all who believe. The key word here is believe – to trust Christ’s finished work on the cross for forgiveness of sins. Jesus rose again in victory over sin and death. He defeated Satan. He overcame the world This same Jesus is inviting you to come to Him through faith for forgiveness of sins and everlasting life.
Friend, would you like to come – to know the only One who can give you eternal life? His name is Jesus, LORD of the heavens and the earth. “Whoever calls on the name of the LORD will be saved.” (Romans 10:13) All who are saved are saved by grace through faith. (Ephesians 2:8)