In His Word – 4-13-2020
I hear cars driving by way too often for
people who are just getting groceries. Is everyone mad? Why are they all out
and about when we are told to shelter in place? It seems like everyone is going
to a party and I am not invited! I know its not, but sometimes I wonder what am
I missing? Don’t you?
Are you feeling left out? Are you feeling
all alone, like no one cares today? You are not alone, at least not in those
feelings! So many people today are feeling alone because so many really are,
stuck home alone.
Noah was stuck for 40 days, and 40 nights
plus! If you know the story, it rained for 40 days and 40 nights, covering the whole
earth, they were sheltered in place on the ark with a ton of animals and only their
family! So, they were doing the ‘work from home’ thing as they followed God’s lead
literally. They took care of the animals, ‘sailed the ship’ cooked, cleaned
etc. Work from home.
Jonah, he was alone. He was alone in the belly
of a whale because he didn’t go do what God told him to.
Joseph was alone, in a pit, and then even
though he was in a group of people in prison, he was alone because He was a
believer in the God of his father. He believed that God had a plan for him and
would carry it out somehow. As far as we know he never stopped believing for
the dreams to come true.
Many of us today are staying at home
doing whatever we can find to do, fixing things, cleaning things, remodeling a
few things, and such and some of us are wishing we could get out to the store
and get the stuff to do the stuff…
David was stuck running from Saul for no
good reason! As far as he knew at least!
David was also the only one who got it. He
was the one who knew God would conquer the giant Goliath when he was still a
youth, he knew His God!
Even his own brothers were afraid to fight Goliath and David trusted God to take care of him; and He did.
I think we have a choice today, we can
either run from the shelter in place, and rebel and end up in the belly of a
whale, only the thing is, just like Jonah we will have to come to terms with the
new rules and follow them anyway.
Do everything without
complaining and arguing, so
that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God,
shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. Hold
firmly to the word of life; Philippians 2:14-16
I mean, it’s a matter of perspective isn’t
it? If we do as these men did and trust God to take care of us, well, we will
turn out okay and have peace. If we fuss and stress out and get anxious over
nothing; God will still take care of us. The difference is that we will not be
full of peace. We will have anxiety and worry.
Personally, I would rather find encouragement
in the Word! I would rather do the right thing and know that my God is pleased
with me!
Is
there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love?
Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other,
loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking
of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an
interest in others, too. Philippians 2:1-4
We need to remember who we represent today
and be sure that we personally are following the guidelines and not breaking
the rules or laws. Not just for the shelter time but for all times. We need to
find the good in the bad, there will be some way to work together for the good
of God’s promises and plans each day if we look for it honestly. Of course, if
we choose to feel sorry for ourselves and sulk, that’s up to us too. Let’s
choose joy!
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you that You
have given us the choice to have Joy unspeakable even during chaos! Help us to
find good things about you each day, even if it’s only one! Help us to not
complain about waiting in lines, because there will be bounty at the end of the
line! Help us to follow Your lead and share Your promises, love and peace with
those around us each day, in Jesus’ name amen.
Suggested reading: Psalm 91- read it
again! Psalm 22- as a reminder! Philippians 2 just because it is encouraging!