In times of trouble, may the Lord answer your cry. May the name of the God of Jacob, keep you safe from all harm.
Psalm 20:1
I thank God upon every remembrance of you my brothers and sisters. I am praying for each of you and hope that everyone is doing well, in spite of the current conditions that surround us.
Our way of life, including how and when we spend time with each other, our families, friends, coworkers and general public has drastically changed over the last six months. With the uncertainty of this trouble, called Covid-19 over our collective heads, it’s sometimes easy to wonder: will this ever end? After weeks and months of being in self isolation and not quite mandatory but very compelling orders to stay at home, it’s easy to let your mind wander and your hope waver about things ever getting back to “normal”.
As a single mom, whose daughter is married and has a family of her own, I’ve had my challenges with being lonely in this season. Yes I’m anointed and my home is filled with the Presence of Holy Spirit, but who wouldn’t miss the hugs and kisses of their loved ones, especially in times like this. Across the world, many of you may be sheltering in place alone. Or you may be at home with a spouse, family member or room-mate that you haven’t had a real chance to connect with for a very long time. It might have been difficult to break the ice and have real and relevant conversations with those who you say you love but really didn’t know for the last few years.
This forced time out from society has brought many challenges but I also see the great blessings in this time too. For those of us who have been at home, we can tackle that project, read that book or finish that renovation we had put off until later. I have cleaned out EVERY closet in my house. And I’ve finally had time to outline several books that I’ve had swirling in my head for years. It is a time that can be used wisely, if we choose to do so. But I also realize, there are many of us who don’t have the luxury of staying at home during this epidemic. Our virtual Global Girl family is blessed to have nurses and doctors, teachers and students, transportation workers and grocery store employees who have chosen to fight the good fight by going to work everyday. They are front-line employees, considered essential workers during this time. And they are our heroes in the faith. I hope you join me daily in praying for their safety and peace.
During this epidemic, I have been diligently working to keep the spirit of fear from overtaking me. Daily, I read and pray scriptures that denounce fear and encourage me to stand strong in the power, love and soundness of one whose mind is stayed on Jesus Christ. I have at least 38 different scriptures that I quote, meditate and pray about for myself, my family and friends and former co-workers and classmates and of course you, my Global faith family. One that stands out particularly is Psalm 20:1 – In times of trouble, may the Lord answer your cry. May the Name of the God of Jacob keep you safe from all harm.
First I want to encourage you with this, it’s okay even permissible to acknowledge that there is trouble in your land. As believers, we don’t have to pretend that Covid-19 is not a problem. It is a problem and all of us have been touched in one way or another by this horrific virus. Next, it’s okay to cry. Crying is healthy and an outlet God allows us to use to express our fears, hurts and pains. You’re not weak or in small faith if you cry in this season. Many of us have lost loved ones during this crisis (I’m not exempt) and it doesn’t make sense to not grieve them or the loss of our personal freedoms. What I want to tell you is this, do not grieve and cry as the world does, but let your cry be a purposeful one. Let out your emotions in a healthy way and let the Lord answer you cry. Finally Psalms 20:1 says may the Name of the God of Jacob keep you safe from all harm. I had to really think about and meditate on that. I realized that the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob is the same God, but they each had their own personal encounter with Him. Abraham knew God as Jehovah Jireh, the provider. Isaac knew God as the God of expansion or Rehoboth. Jacob knew God as the God of Beth-El, the house of God, meaning that the whole earth belongs to God, not just the part that Jacob dwelt in. Isn’t it amazing that in this scripture God is saying that the Name of God, called the God of everyone in the world will keep us safe from all harm?
The trouble called Covid-19 pales in comparison to the Almighty Hand of God that comes to keep us safe from all harm. If you must cry in this season, it’s okay. Let it be done with the purpose of Abba God hearing your cry. The bible says that God keeps track of our sorrows, bottles our tears and records every single one in His book. He will avenge us and bring this trouble to an end.
I pray to the Lord that this encouragement will strengthen you and help to keep you in perfect peace. I know that God’s perfect love casts out fear. My prayer is that no matter if you are at home or going back and forth to work as a front-line employee, that God will protect you from the anger of our collective enemy, reach out with His hand and with the power of His mighty right hand, save us from all harm and fear.
Love you all.
#faithoverfear
#ChristoverCorona
