It’s a Great Day to be a Mountaineer! As I write the Covid-19 virus has not yet invaded the Great Mountain State. We are a hardy folk. No one ever wants to come to West Virginia, until now!!! Something very strange, or should I say stranger than usual, has just happened to the world in which we live. We’ve been hit with a healthcare crisis for which some think the cure for is toilet paper! I think we have just lost our collective minds. It’s really a very strange feeling, isn’t it, to lose one’s mind? We here in the U.S. are boundless folks. We’re used to having everything we want, when we want it, let alone everything we need and suddenly the jokes on us, right? If you’re looking for toilet paper, you’re just plain out of luck. The toilet paper is gone. It’s quite a mystery. Do you have a square to spare?
So I went to the grocery store Saturday morning at 6:00 a.m. Me and a bunch of other folks. I was doing a weekly shopping, having been completely oblivious to the run on sundries – toilet paper, milk, bread, frozen vegetables. It was an odd feeling to walk through the grocery store and see bare shelves. That’s not something I had experienced before even in the best of snowstorms. It was surreal – kind of an out of body experience. Creepy. I got my groceries and traveled to my parents’ house. As I unload the bags from the trunk, I turn and see the picture above. As I looked at the sky I could feel the ominousness of the grocery store falling away. As I looked at the sky I was reminded that God was in complete control of everything going on in the world today. I didn’t have to worry about it, He could handle it. Thank you, God!
In the midst of this turmoil, some may ask where is God. God was on the throne yesterday. God is on the throne today. God will be on the throne tomorrow. God will reign eternally. God keeps His promises.
But the LORD will save the people of Israel
with eternal salvation.
Throughout everlasting ages,
they will never again be humiliated and disgraced.
For the LORD is God,
and he created the heavens and earth
and put everything in place.
He made the world to be lived in,
not to be a place of empty chaos.
“I am the LORD,” he says,
“and there is no other.
I publicly proclaim bold promises.
I do not whisper obscurities in some dark corner.
I would not have told the people of Israel to seek me
if I could not be found.
I, the LORD, speak only what is true
and declare only what is right.
Isaiah 45:15-19
Well, what should we being doing amid the craziness of the world today? The same thing we did before the craziness of the world today, if there ever was a before. Seek God. Praise God. Proclaim God. Exhort God. Stand on His promises.
We don’t really understand what in the world’s going on, but we are assured of Who is going on in the world. Amidst the chaos and turmoil of our new lives, we need to turn our focus to the One who brings everything into perfect focus. Jesus.
Wednesday
Have you wondered this past week about whether or not you have everything you need? Read Luke 12:22-34. Write down all the promises that Jesus makes in these verses. Does this change our list of everything we need? What should be our primary concern? Don’t allow the world to make you panic. Stand on the promises of God.
Thursday
Read Psalm 46. Write down all the promises that God has made. What will be our response to His promises?
Friday
Read Matthew 6:25-34. What do we do with worry? It’s a creeper. It seems to creep up on us and before we know it we’re full on worrying. But, what does Jesus say about worry? What are the truths Jesus speaks of in verses 32-33? Many things we do not know, but constantly reminding ourselves of what we do know, like Who is in control, can help push worry down. Carry this hymn with you today and when you feel worry creeping in, sing at the top of your lungs!
Many things about tomorrow
I don’t seem to understand
But I know who holds tomorrow
And I know who holds my hand
Saturday
Dig through the Psalms and find one that speaks to your heart. Memorize it. Hold it. Pray it. Post it. Share it. A verse spoken to a friend. A verse texted to a friend. A verse written in a note. Make sure that there is not a shortage of the Word of God in our minds and hearts. Cling to the Word.
Sunday
Read Philippians Chapter 4. Reread verses 4-7. During this time of turmoil, where do we find peace? In prayer. Take your worries to Jesus, you can’t handle them, but He definitely can.
Monday
Read Deuteronomy 33:26-27. There is no one like our God! Sing this song as your morning Praise and then write your own morning Praise. List all the promises found in this song.
What a fellowship, what a joy divine,
Leaning on the Everlasting Arms!
What a blessedness, what a peace is mine,
Leaning on the Everlasting Arms!
Leaning, leaning,
Safe and secure from all alarms;
Leaning, leaning,
Leaning on the Everlasting Arms.
What have I to dread, what have I to fear,
Leaning on the Everlasting Arms!
I have peace complete with my Lord so near,
Leaning on the Everlasting Arms!
Tuesday
Read 2 Timothy Chapter 1. Study verses 7-8. Do you know of anyone having a difficult time with the world’s crisis? Is there someone you could talk to about Jesus? Is there someone who needs to hear His promises? Is there someone who needs to lean on Him, but doesn’t know who He is? What have you to dread? What have you to fear? Speak life to those around you who need Life.