04/17/2021
In today’s world filled with trouble, sickness, starvation, and war, it is easy to become anxious, and to be overcome by fear. We look back on times in our lives that were peaceful and calm, and wish for those “good old days” to return. We think that the world has changed from good to bad, when in fact it has always been this way since the moment of Adam’s fall. So how do we live in a world such as this? How do we overcome our fear?
“do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”
Philippians 4:6 ESV
Today, like in every other time, especially those since Eden, God has always been with us, and we have been instructed to lean on Him, to approach Him as a beggar on the street, humbling ourselves, and giving thanks for every good thing He blesses us with, even the crumbs that have fallen from His table. God is great, and His gifts to us are good; they provide for us, and bring peace and comfort into our lives... in this time more than ever as we come to Him through Jesus Christ...
“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:7 ESV
So why do we feel anxious, and fear the terrors of the world? Why do wars, and pandemics cause us to tremble and quake? Most of the time it is because we stop praying as we should, and begin to doubt that God hears us, or is truly with us. Then again, we also find ourselves feeling that in some way He has suddenly weakened, and is unable to overcome the “new” calamity of the moment... but what do we face in life that is truly “new”?
When the Coronavirus pandemic struck some believers were terrified. They thought that the world was coming to an end, and started believing that there had never been a time such as this before. Well, that is just not true, and this is just another lie of the dark one, meant to undermine our faith. Let’s look back at the dark times of history... the Jews were made slaves to Egypt, Israel was conquered and placed into captivity by Babylon, the Emperor of Rome crucified over 5000 slaves at one time, and their rotting bodies lined the Apian Way leading into Rome, but do you think this is going back too far? Well let’s look at the last 100 years alone, and we see World War I, WWII, the Korean War, Vietnam, Grenada, Panama, Afghanistan, the seven days war, the Iraq wars, and these are just a few examples. We saw Polio, Smallpox, Measles, Mumps, the swine flu, Asian flu, Hong Kong flu, SARS, Ebola, HIV, cancers of every variety... and still we are determined to say that things have “suddenly” gone bad in the last two years? No, what has changed in our lives is a dramatic loss of faith in God, and Jesus Christ; a loss that has stifled our ability to pray, and replaced it with the belief that we must solve these problems ourselves. The truth is that only through faith and prayer can we overcome the world, and find the peace of God, and spiritual comfort for our souls in Christ.
“For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world— our faith.”
1 John 5:4 ESV
“Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe? Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me. I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.””
John 16:31-33 ESV
As we learn to obey His Word, and know His will, then we ask in prayer as we should, and our desires, becoming the same as His, are met.
“And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.”
1 John 5:14-15 ESV
Do not succumb to the lies of Satan regarding today’s most recent calamity, and the hopelessness he wants us to believe it brings, but let’s renew our faith, reenter our prayer closets to offer prayers of supplication, and thank God for His many blessings that bring us peace in our lives.
Prayer:
Father, thank you for being with us always, for your Son Jesus who has redeemed us, and your Holy Spirit that prays for us when we haven’t the words to offer. Thank you for never abandoning us, even in the most dire times of our lives. Help us in our disbelief Father, and increase our faith as we drop to our knees in fervent prayer every day, and in everything... especially the great fears and anxious moments that seek to overcome us. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who hears every prayer, and knows our hearts as we lift them up to you. Praised be your name as you reveal your will to us, and answer our prayers as we offer them in compliance with it, and lift them up in the name of Jesus Christ. You are faithful to your Word Lord, and never fail us. Not even death can cause us uncertainty, nor can suffering bring us fear, for in you we find comfort in everything. Your mighty hand defeats all of our enemies on earth, and in the heavenly places. Wash us clean in the blood of Jesus, and let us abide in His peace, and your joy forevermore.
“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”
Psalm 27:1 ESV
Rich Forbes