I must admit, the past three weeks have been trying times. I have felt the pressure as a pastor to have all the answers to what is happening in our world, while at the same time dealing with the same realities that everyone else is experiencing. Questions. Doubts. Fears. From the devastating tragedies of a tornado that ripped through our city on March 3rd to an unimaginable, world-wide pandemic that promises loss of life, jobs and for some...hope.
I’ve had to deal with my own fears of the future and personal health concerns, while wondering how you are doing. Praying that all is well. For one of the first times in my life, I have faced real anxiety. To be honest, I didn’t even know what it was at first; lack of sleep, loss of appetite and an inability to focus or concentrate...all signs of anxiety.
In these moments, I too, like you must turn my attention to what is real and sure, God’s Word. Our God never changes, and His Word is always and forever true.
I woke up this morning with the book of Job on my mind; a man who experienced more tragedy in a few “minutes” than we would in two or three lifetimes. Losing his livelihood, possessions, friends, children, health, oneness with his wife, respect, reputation and seemingly his favor with God! It was all too much to bear and yet, Job responded in an amazing way and made some incredible declarations along the way.
His response and declarations all revealed a heart that desperately trusted in the Goodness of God; take a “listen”:
Job 1:20–21 20 Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshiped. 21 And he said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.”
Job 2:10 ... Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?” In all this Job did not sin with his lips.
Job 19:25–27 25 For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth. 26 And after my skin has been thus destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God, 27 whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another. My heart faints within me!
There was no religious fatalism, nor humanistic resignation nor naïve platitudes in his words but a robust, God-fearing, hope-filled, truth-embracing belief in a resurrected Redeemer who has all things under control!!
Job teaches us to continually preach the truth to ourselves even when circumstances say otherwise. In times like these our anchor must be secured to that which is UNMOVABLE...the character of GOD! He is Holy. He is Loving. He is Truth. He is Immutable. He is Omniscient. He is Omnipotent. He is Omnipresent. He is Available. He is Wise. He is GOOD. He IS...!
As you move through these days of uncertainty, lean on the Everlasting Arms of God’s strength and sovereignty! On Him we can depend.
Here are some pictures and comments to brighten your day:
Families who were watching and worshiping together this past Sunday
Pictures drawn by little ones who were listening to the sermon online
Picture of a Missional Community meeting this week through Zoom
Comments about Sunday’s Virtual Gathering:
“Amazing and appropriate sermon today ! My little girls were asking where to find the scriptures in the Bible ! They know that God is with us and we will not fear!”
“I've been meditating on Psalm 46 off and on since you mentioned it a few weeks ago. We had our granddaughters stay with us Saturday night and Sunday. They love to draw and paint so I thought it would be a great opportunity to sow some truth seed into them in the midst of this chaos. So I asked Alexis, the 9 year old, to draw her interpretation of Psalm 46: 1- 5. Prior to me even bringing it up, Kenedi, the 5 year old, drew a picture that very much represented the same idea. As you can see, they both still have the Tornado on their minds (not COVID-19). With as many kids as you have, I'm going to assume you're a kid painting interpreting pro!”
“Thanks for the sermon this morning! The kids had a lot of vocab questions, but it was so encouraging.”
“Thanks for preaching with so many Scriptures...so encouraging”