10/15/2020
We are facing a resurgence of the pandemic, a setback in the delivery of a vaccine, and more bad news being pumped into our homes each day; is this shaking you? Are you allowing a feeling of hopelessness to overtake you just as the sun is about to rise? Don’t let this last ditch effort to rattle you, by bringing fear and discouragement, destroy your faith.
“Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.”
1 Corinthians 16:13 ESV
We have suffered through a great deal in the year 2020. It has turned our lives upside down as we have endured the Coronavirus pandemic with its sickness, death, and the loss of our jobs and fortunes. But more than all of this its most devastating effect has been the assault on our ability to gather as faithful men and women of faith to worship, and to encourage one another in God’s Word. Yet, despite Satan’s best efforts, and our inability to see sun until the dawn breaks, we have remained spiritually strong.
“for we walk by faith, not by sight.”
2 Corinthians 5:7 ESV
So now, just as victory is approaching with the breaking dawn do not lose hope... remain strong and firm in faith. Hold tight to your belief, trust in the promises of God, and place your resolve in the fact that He will defeat this virus, and the dark enemy that has authored it. Know that just as what once appeared to be the death of Jesus was revealed by the morning light to be the resurrection of Christ, so will this suffering of pandemic be overcome by the light, and our hope strengthened.
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.”
Romans 15:13 ESV
The dark enemies of our faith are expending their remaining energy in these final months of 2020 by doing their best to destroy with hopelessness what they couldn’t defeat in us by undermining our faith. So hold firm in this final onslaught, and know that the dawn, and the resurrection, is coming soon.
“The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.
He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen.”
Revelation 22:17, 20-21 ESV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for having prepared us in faith for such dire times as this COVID-19 pandemic. Thank you Lord for your Son Jesus, who you sent to redeem us, and teach us by example how we are to hold firm to faith, and trust boldly in your promise of life. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you who defeats our enemies, and heals us body, mind, and soul. We praise you in the midst of our suffering, and hold tight to your Word, and promises of life everlasting. You are merciful Father, and you reach into our darkest hours to pull back the shade to reveal your deliverance, Jesus, the light of the world. Strengthen us in our faith and belief Lord God, and witness our hope in you. Hear our prayers, and wash us clean in the blood of Christ as we come to stand before you... victorious over the dark, and the spiritual war it has waged against us. Shine your light upon us, and hear our voices as we praise you, and call you glorious forevermore.
“Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.””
John 8:12 ESV
Rich Forbes