Be Strong

 

Throughout the Bible God’s people are challenged to be strong, to be courageous. These are good words for the current time.  I have been reading in the Old Testament and in the little book of Haggai we find both admonition and encouragement.

“Be strong all you people of the land, declares the Lord, and work. For I am with you declares the Lord Almighty.” (Haggai 2:4). In verse 5 God declares, “My Spirit is abiding in your midst; do not fear.”

When Moses was turning over the reins of leadership to Joshua he challenged him, “Be strong and courageous…” (Joshua 1:6)  King David told the next king, Solomon, “Be strong and courageous, do not fear nor be dismayed.” (1 Chronicles 22:13) 

And in the New Testament the the Apostle Paul wrote to the church at Corinth, “Be Strong…" (1 Corinthians 16:13). To the Galatians he said, “Keep standing firm.” (Galatians 5:1) 

Fear is holding a lot of people in its grip these days.

• Fear of THE Virus …
• Fear of schools re-opening (or not reopening)…
• Fear of upcoming election results…
• Fear of the riots and destruction happening in major cities all across America right now…
• Fear of all the recent changes that have been happening…
• Fear of economic collapse…
• Fear of ...

We can take comfort in remembering that God’s Spirit is in our midst even now.  He indwells His people. And He does not forsake His own. (Hebrews 13:5)
Even in fearful times we do not have to be afraid.
In chapter 2 Haggai instructs the people of Judah three times to “take courage.”
HE (God) is with us.

The Prophet Malachi remind us of this about God:
He is the Lord of Hosts (Malachi 1:10)
He is a Great King (Malachi 1:14)
He does not change (Malachi 3:6)
His Name will be great among the nations. (Malachi 1:11)
 
Dr Michael Youssef wrote in his August magazine, My Journal, “This global pandemic is God’s call for His children to look up, not back…Let’s use this time and these trials to deepen our faith,
store up treasure in heaven,

and proclaim His good news until the day He comes again.”

Let’s do that!
And let’s look up, take courage, and do the work.
 
Be Strong,
Ruth

Longing

We’re into the 8^th month of 2020 already and what a year it has been! Just goes to show that we truly do not know what lies around the bend. But thankfully, God does! I’m so glad we have Him and He has us. We may lose faith in those around us, in those “calling the shots”, but we do not have to lose faith in Him! 

He is Trust-worthy.

He is Able.

He is Good.

And He is Real.

What the remaining months of 2020 will look like, only God knows. But we do know that He will be with us – All the Way, and All the Time. He has not forgotten us and will not forsake His own.

The prophet Isaiah wrote these words to Israel: “The Lord longs to be gracious to you…He waits on high to have compassion on you. For the Lord is a God of justice; How blessed are all those who long for Him. O people in Zion, inhabitants of Jerusalem, you will weep no longer. He will surely be gracious to you at the sound of your cry; When He hears it, He will answer you.” Isaiah 30:18-19

Isaiah warns that God’s response to their cry requires

Repentance (verse 15),

Trust in Him (verse 12),

Receiving and Believing His word (verse 12),

and Giving up their idols (verse 22).

Isaiah calls for God’s people to “Return to Him.” (31:6, 44:22, 55:7).

So, let’s do that!

Long for Him,

Cry out to Him,

Return to Him,

Trust in Him,

Believe His Word!

We used to sing this old chorus:

“There’s a longing in my heart for Jesus,

There’s a longing in my heart to see His face.

I am weary, oh so weary of traveling here below,

There’s a longing in my heart for Him.”

While we long for Him and for His return, let’s remember that He also longs to be gracious to us.

Blessings

Ruth