Sermon Central
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The Christian Response In Challenging Times
Contributed by Sunitha Justin on Mar 26, 2020 (message contributor)
Summary: As Christians, our response is very critical because it influences the world around us. Even as we are now in difficult days because of COVID-19, our reaction is extremely important and will have a profound impact on others.
Two days back, while watching news on Television, my five-year-old daughter suddenly came up to me and asked me something. What she asked kind of surprised me. She said, “Why mama, everywhere and every time, it is all about corona, corona, corona…. “
The impact that this invisible organism has caused is tremendous. It’s across age groups, across geographical boundaries, across economic status and it transcends all man-made divisions.
The question to us is as Christians, what should be our response or our reaction in a time such as this.
I just want to highlight two things from the scripture today:
1. GOD IS IN CONTROL
Ps 99:1 – The Lord reigns, let the nations tremble;
Psalm 47:8. God reigns over the nations; God is seated on His holy throne.
These two verses remind us that God is supreme. And that He is in control. Although this is totally unprecedented, God knew it would happen. He knows why this is happening. And he also knows exactly how long this is going to continue.
The very fact that God knows and He is in control is a message of hope for us.
While all news and social media are flooded with depressing and discouraging messaging, we have a reason to hope.
Nothing occurs beyond the reach of God’s power. This is the period in time when we need remind ourselves continually that God’s power is all sufficient for us, however overwhelming the situation may be.
2. GOD IS A VERY PRESENT HELP
Psalm 46:1 - God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.
We can be confident that God will be our refuge and our strength in troublesome times. Israel was always in trouble with neighbouring nations. But while the other nations boasted of their horses and chariots, their mighty warriors, their inaccessible gates, their weapons or equipment, Israel relied on God. They were safe just because God was their refuge and strength.
The verse says, He is a very present help in trouble. I want to highlight the word ‘Present’
Not that He helped in the past. Not that He will help in the future. But He is my help for the present.
When things are unfavourable and threatening around us, it is important that we focus our attention on God. Let’s take this opportunity to intercede not just for our nation, but for the world at large.
The familiar verse 2 Chr 7:14 (if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land) shows how the healing of the land depends on you and me. We are accountable to God and to the world to bring healing upon the land.
This is not a time to fear, but a time to show courage and faith. It’s time to model Love and Faith to our own household. Make sure you speak words of faith because your children are going to learn and replicate what you do.
Whatever the circumstance you may be facing right now, however depressing or hopeless things may seem, God promises to be your very present help.
