Weekend Words

 Two readings from Beside the Still Waters this week.  On fear, faith and the future...

Lessons From Covid-19 - Read: John 14

"For in the time of trouble, he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me: he shall set me up upon a rock." - Psalm 27:5

The year 2020 will undoubtedly go down in history as a year of infamy due to The Virus.  From its small beginning in Wuhan, China, the germ travelled quickly, spreading not only the respiratory disease but also widespread fear and panic.  In an effort to stop the virus, hundreds of businesses closed and employees went home, which jeopardized many people's financial future and rocked the global economy.

What is our response to the impact of the virus?  What are we learning from this unusual phenomenon?  As Christians, we urgently need to base our security and future on the fact that God Almighty is the only One in ultimate control of everything in time and eternity.  This belief will affect our behaviour in times of crisis.  Is God giving the world a wake up call?  Is He speaking to His people, the church?  On a personal level, am I learning what God wants me to learn from this crisis?

In Matthew 24, Jesus tells us what will happen in the ages that lead up to the end of time.  After He says that there will be trouble and fear, and many different disaster, He encourages us to endure to the end so we can be saved!

In today's Bible reading Jesus said, "Peace I leave with you... Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."  How tremendously encouraging!  Ultimately, God is in control.  Jesus offers us peace and salvation.  Let us come to God and be washed in the blood of Jesus.  Then putting our hand in His, we can walk confidently into an unknown future, knowing that there is no safer place for us to be.

Nathan Wanner - Cincinnati, IA

"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." - 2 Timothy 1:7

Fearfulness - Read: Luke 21:20-38

"Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me." - John 14:1

Years ago I worked at a sawmill with a very fearful man.  One day a severe storm blew in with high winds and large hail.  This man became so terrified that he would have run out into the storm if we had not held him back.  When we asked him where he wanted to go, he said, "I don't know; anywhere but here."  He was completely overcome by fear.

We live in a time of widespread fear and anxiety.  Violence, civil unrest, riots, shootings, and global sickness are rampant.  Handgun sales and concealed carry permits are at an unprecedented level.  Many people express fear of a governmental collapse.  In Luke 21:26 Jesus spoke of "men's hearts failing them for fear."  In verse 28 He said, "when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh."  These are precious, comforting words from our Saviour.

Matthew 24:6 says, "And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars; see that ye be not troubled."  Fear of war and other calamities can quickly reach debilitating proportions if allowed to grow unchecked.  The more we are controlled by fears, the more fearful we will become.  We need faith that says, "the Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?" (Psalm 27:1)

As Christians we have a living hope in Christ Jesus that provides security in the present life with all its fears and perplexities.  Even more, it reaches into the future and gives assurance of being with our Lord in eternity.  This glorious hope is "an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast..." (Hebrews 6:19)

Denver Yoder - Somerset, OH