THE SOURCE OF COURAGE AND STRENGTH IN TIMES OF TROUBLE   #330 .

Good Morning, Meetpastordan Readers…I finally had to turn off the news. As much as I want to keep up with what’s going on, I finally reached the saturation point of negativity, doom and gloom. I found myself becoming heavy-ladened, and I refuse to become part of that mindset. I don’t want to sound Pollyannaish, but even in the midst of a storm, today I look forward to the promised rainbow.

Even though I am a Christ-follower, Jesus was very up front when He pointed out to all of us, “In this world, you will have trouble (or tribulation),…” Jesus lived/lives in this fallen world; He knew/knows what we’re up against because He, too, was the recipient of temptation, hatred, mockery, disappointment, pain and suffering. Therefore, He didn’t/doesn’t want us coming into a new relationship with Him wearing rose-colored glasses. He wanted to prepare us for the battle that was/is sure to come. He was even so bold as to state, “When the world hates you, remember it hated Me before it hated you. The world would love you if you belonged to it, but you don’t. I chose you to come out of the world, therefore it hates you.” (John 15:18-19)

I stopped the first Scripture quotation in the above paragraph half-way through because I wanted to contrast the unfortunate truth (or the problem), with the answer that follows the dangling comma: “but fear not, for I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) So what does that mean to all Christ-followers? It means, “fear-not”, because if Jesus has overcome the world, so have we overcome the world. We first have to know that truth, then we have to believe that truth! But it is THE TRUTH, and that is what I want to write about today.

Remember when Peter had the courage to step out of the boat during the storm, He then began walking on the water toward Jesus? Obviously, that took faith, and obviously he believed that Jesus would direct and protect him on his journey. All went as planned, as long as he kept his focus on Jesus. But as the wind blew stronger and the waves became more threatening, he took his focus off of Jesus and became dreadfully fearful that he might drown. In other words, the wind and the waves began to look more powerful than Jesus. Peter cried out, “Lord, save me!”  Jesus reached out His hand and grabbed Peter saying, “You of little faith; why did you doubt?” (Matthew 14:30-31)

Having faith is one thing, but standing on that faith in the midst of trials and tribulations is quite another thing. That’s what Peter discovered, and that’s the challenge we all have to face today as we’re thrust into uncharted territory concerning COVID-19. What do you believe?  Who do you trust?  Where do you turn for comfort and security? We all need answers to these questions, so let’s look at them one at a time.

For years, I bought into these lies perpetuated by the world: performance + accomplishments = significance; status + recognition = security, and appearance + admiration = acceptance. While there is an element of truth in each of these platitudes, they are fleeting experiences. While they may fulfill our desires and needs for a brief period, it doesn’t take long before our “human nature” takes the reins and we find ourselves on the prowl for the next, new, bright, shiny object. Such is the way of the world. We all want and need to feel significant, secure, and accepted, but the world’s answers have proven to be counterfeit. We can see that in the epidemic of suicides, addictions, divorces, depression, anxiety and sheer hatred.

Since we are now living in a secular culture, the truth has become relative, and freedom means, “I have the right to do as I please”. Therefore, the character traits of honor and integrity have become tainted as we continue to gravitate toward spiritual and moral bankruptcy. Under these conditions, “Who can you trust?” We see leaders who are willing to do or say anything to attain wealth, power and control; we see CEO’s who are willing to cover major flaws in their products, even at the cost of human fatalities; we see banks and lending institutions manipulating facts and figures to further particular agendas, and we have politicians today who are willing to promise anything and everything to get elected, even though their promises are rooted in quicksand.

Now we are about to tackle the last question, “Where do you turn for comfort and security?” Whether you know it or not, this will be the most important decision you will make in your life. Let me remind you of what Jesus said, “In this world you will have trouble…” That is a given; that is the truth; that is life!” And when the trouble comes, you have two choices…only two! You can get mad and angry; you can shout obscenities; you can cry out, “Why me, God? Why me? Then you can shake your fist at Him, and walk away. OR…you can press into Him, and depend on Him, to give you wisdom, courage and strength to keep the focus on Him as you “step out of your boat.”

Psalm 91 gives us this truth and hope: “Those who dwell in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. (He wants you to turn to Him in your time of trouble) This I declare of the Lord; He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; He is my God, and I am trusting Him. (He wants you to proclaim His Mighty Name and trust in Him alone.) He will rescue me from every trap and protect me from the fatal plague. (Covid-19) He will shield me with His wings and shelter me with His feathers. His faithful promises are my armor and protection.” God’s Word and His promises are love, truth, life, power and healing.  James 4:10 reminds us that, “When we come humbly before the Lord and admit our dependence on Him, He will lift us up and give us honor.” (If you like what your’re hearing, wait ‘til you hear this!) “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my Word will last forever.” (Matthew 24:35)

This is the rock on which we stand: God’s Word and his promises will NEVER change. THIS is what we can believe:  The author of these words, the Lord God Jehovah of the Bible, the Creator of the Universe, the Godhead of the Trinity, IS the ONE to trust! Regardless of who you think you are, and regardless of what you have done, “if you call on His name, He is mighty to save.” (Zephaniah 3:17) He doesn’t want to lose even one of His proudest creation (that would be us), so His mercy will always trump His judgement! The truth and hope found in those last two sentences should pave the way for making the right choice concerning comfort and security. “God said, ‘I will never leave you; I will never forsake you!” (Deuteronomy 31:6)

With all of the information concerning the coronavirus – and the unknowns, if you don’t have a source of strength you can trust to get you through these challenging days, I suggest establishing a relationship with Jesus, or intensifying your existing relationship with Him. He said in Matthew 11:28, “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.”  That’s His promise to all of us. When Jairus got word that his daughter had died, Jesus said, “Don’t be afraid, just trust Me!” (Mark 5:36) That same response is our invitation today to turn to Him for rest, for confidence, for security, for peace, for serenity and for joy. Where else will you find such a glorious guarantee?

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May God Bless You abundantly,

Dan Presgrave (a.k.a. Pastor Dan)