"We don’t know what the future holds, but it’s encouraging to know that Jesus holds our future.”
The Lockdown that most of the countries of the world are going through at this time, is causing much fear and apprehension about what the future is going to be like. Fear and uncertainty is gripping everyone. If you think this tiny virus is powerful, let me remind you how great and powerful our Lord is ! The Lord who stopped the ten plagues in Moses' days, the Lord who promised to restore all that the locusts had destroyed in Joel's times.... is the same Omnipotent God who reigns over everything today. He will subdue evil and God's goodness and abundance shall prevail. Though there are professionals who can analyse the situation and make predictions and give advice as to how to recover from the losses of the disaster that novel corona virus- Covid -19 has caused, one ought to know that apart from God, man can do nothing by himself. The Lord alone can bring us out of this situation, Jesus alone can bring beauty out of ashes. I believe the words written in Isaiah 61:1- 3 and claim its promise be fulfilled in each one of our lives......
The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,
because the LORD has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,
2 to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the LORD
for the display of his splendor.
There have been many victories and many failures in the past ; many joys and many disappointments too. But praise God that no matter what the past may have been, He will transform it into a glorious future. He will see you through all the troubles. Let us keep hoping and trusting God to make a new beginning. “Yesterday is gone and tomorrow may never be mine…” are the true and excellent lyrics of a favourite song rendered by Cristy Lane.
One day at a time, Sweet Jesus
That’s all I’m asking from you.
Lord give me the strength to do everyday
What I have to do.
Yesterday’s gone Sweet Jesus,
And tomorrow may never be mine.
Lord help me today, show me the way
One day at a time.
The apostle Paul says, “…forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus (Phil.3:12-13). In other words we are exhorted not to be bogged down by the past or the discouraging present but rather to become wiser by our experiences and keep pushing forward to fulfill the will of God.
God is the author of every new beginning. So no matter what the situation may be, if we put our lives into His hands, He will help us make a new start. We must believe in the Lord who is able to restore all that we have lost. Prophet Joel declares the works of the Lord this way “…Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice: for the Lord will do great things….I will restore to you the years that the locusts have eaten…”(Joel 2:21,25)
It is true that we cannot deny the fact that the unknown holds much fear for most of us. We can’t guess what more challenges, what more trials, testings, pressures, sickness or loss await us. As children of the Most High and Living God we should never let fear grip us but let our trust and faith in God have the better of us, because “God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power, and love and of a sound mind.” ( 2 Timothy 1:7). Let this verse fill your mind and soul and strengthen you.
When we go through the Bible we see that the words “FEAR NOT” appear like mountain peaks every now and then. With these words God comforted Abraham: “Fear not, Abram; I’m your shield and exceeding great reward.” (Gen.15:1) Abraham was afraid that the kings he had defeated might return and attack him. But God assured him that God Almighty was his Shield and Protector. Secondly Abraham had refused the wealth offered by the king of Sodom, because he didn’t want the king to take the credit of making Abraham rich. Abraham was wealthy because God had blessed him, and so, he gave all the credit and glory to God alone. Since Abraham refused earthly wealth in order to honour God , God Himself became Abraham’s wealth, his exceeding great reward.
God said, “Fear not” to Isaac when he was alone, being chased from every place where he tried to settle. With the same words God comforted Jacob when he lost his son Joseph. We hear God saying again through Moses to the Israelites- “Fear not, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will show you today.” Jesus told His disciples so often not to fear. “… and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Mat.28:20) . This is the same assurance and promise that the Almighty God gives to us today.
“Fear not!” these two very simple and small words coming out from the mouth of the Almighty God breathes upon the believer a whole world of strength, courage and comfort. Fear torments all of mankind in three main areas – (1)Life (2) Death & (3) Eternity. While most people fear death and eternity because they include some mystery about themselves, it is not surprising to see people who fear facing life ! The responsibilities, duties and demands of everyday life is so challenging that they often dread that they might crumble, and be crushed beneath the burdens of everyday living. May I encourage you by reminding you from God’s word that moments like these are not what you alone feel but great heroes of faith have shuddered before their calling and responsibility that God wanted them to take up. Moses trembled before the mighty responsibility that entailed his calling. His words, “Who am I that I should go to Pharoah, and that I should bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?” voice his fear. Even king Solomon shrank before his great responsibility saying, “And now , O Lord my God, You have made Your servant King instead of my father David, but I’m a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in …”(1 Kings 3:7) The great prophet Jeremiah felt he was too young and inexperienced to do what God was telling him.
The challenges and responsibilities before you may be something that you cannot handle alone, but let the living words of our Saviour sink deep down into your heart and revive and fill you with power. Jesus is saying , “Don’t be afraid of life,” “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Heb 13:5) Where fear once ruled our heart. FAITH must take over and our response should be “The Lord is my Helper; I WILL NOT FEAR.” We should remember that “ Courage or faith is not the absence of fear, but fear that has said its prayer.”
Make this time a remarkable time in your life by moving on with the spiritual power that God has put into your heart just now. As this seed of faith grows in you, you will discover that your soul will hunger and long to know Jesus in a more intimate and personal way. Most often we go to God only to get something from Him or to tell Him to do something to suit our convenience. We cannot know or understand God fully in this kind of a selfish relationship. The secret of knowing Jesus is to seek Him not only for what He can do for us but to seek Him with all our heart for Who He is! He is a Loving Father, He is our Creator, He is our Redeemer who has made us His own by paying a great price , that is, His own sinless blood to deliver us from the hands of satan and sin. He is our Comforter, Counsellor, Provider and Sustainer.
Paul endured untold number of afflictions, humiliation, hunger, and poverty. He never complained but endured with Christ-like patience. He pressed forward with only one desire and that was to fulfill the purpose of God in his life, and eventually become worthy of receiving the crown that the Lord has prepared for him as well as for all who look forward eagerly for His( Jesus’) coming ( 2 Timothy 4:7-8).
Let us pray and prepare ourselves for the Rapture. Let us cleanse our ways and become worthy to be lifted up in the clouds along with Jesus.
May the Merciful Lord bless each one of you. Maranatha !
