TO MY FLOCK AT MARION
The Battle Is Not Yours
Exodus 14: 14 The Lord shall fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.
This is a very stressful time in our world. We face challenges that might seem overwhelming. We must in these trying times learn to live as followers of Jesus. How do we do that when everything seems to be crumbling around us? I listened to a podcast with Max Lacado entitled, “Feed your faith not your fear”. With so much time on our hands we tend to gravitate to the TV and all that we see on it is news, mostly bad. This is a time when we need to practice self-discipline. We are not immune to the fear that is all around us, and if we allow ourselves to, we will succumb to the same fear that is gripping the world around us. I am not telling you that you should not stay informed and up to date in this time of uncertainty, but we do need to put some limits on how much we watch, and listen to, and not allow it to overwhelm and take control of our thought process. I believe that God has given us this time for a reason, and that we should make good use of it. Instead of watching so much news to try and find out what is going to happen, we should turn to the One who already knows. The scripture says, “We don’t know what the future holds, but we know who holds the future”. As God’s people we need to turn to His word, the Scriptures, and allow the truth of God’s word to change our thinking. We need to be in prayer, asking God for His healing mercy upon this world and listening for His direction. We, Christians, have a huge responsibility in this time of crisis. We must be a light to the hurting and unsaved around us. We need to allow God to calm us so that we can be a calming force in the world. When we talk to others about what is going on around us, they should be encouraged by our calmness and the hope that flows through us from our Savior. I believe that God has a mighty purpose in what is taking place in this world. I see it as a test, an opportunity, to be what God has called us to be, a light to the world. Easter is coming, we will celebrate the resurrection of our Lord, wouldn’t it be wonderful if millions joined the celebration, for the very first time, for the simple reason that the church showed the strength and conviction that Jesus has called us to.
I will leave you with this poem of encouragement from Jody Diehl’s book The Heart That Loves Us.
THE BATTLE IS NOT YOURS
Through trials and tribulations, never fear or be alarmed. The battle is not yours, my child. I’ll keep you from all harm.
Give thanks for I am with you. I am always by your side. The battle is not yours, dear child. My loving presence will abide.
Though the enemy tries to buffet and even bring you harm; the battle is not yours, sweet child, so do not be alarmed.
Sing praises unto Me alone, for with Me the fight is won. The battle is not yours, dear child. I’ll hold your hand until it’s done.
I always have the final word. To victory, we will soar. With Me you cannot fail, My child, for the battle is not yours.
In Christ’s Love and Peace,
Your Pastor
Bob
March 22, 2020
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