Younger Jesus went missing for three days, a painful time for His mother and father who were searching for Him but had no idea where He was. There was one other time when He calmly laid in the tomb for three days. In both situations, His loved ones were thrown into a worry and panic. There was no faith evident in either of these situations.
Today, many people in our country are running in panic mode as a result of the coronavirus deaths and forecasts of 100,000 to 200,000 future deaths from the dreaded virus. Our news stations are broadcasting lots about the coronavirus over the airways filling us all with lots of stimulus to cause people to worry.
Is this our response in a crisis?
While we run around like a chicken with his head cut off, Jesus watches and calmly waits for us to remember that God is all sovereign, all-powerful and all present. Then He says to us, “my grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in your weakness” 2 Cor 12:7-9.
Over the years I have learned that the things I fix my eyes, mind and or heart on may become my reality. As a result, I have concluded that my focus needs to be squarely on the WHO (Jesus) and NOT the WHAT (circumstances).
I believe the seeds of faith are planted in trials and turmoil by God in our lives and that’s one reason He says, “Consider it pure joy my brothers when you face trials of many kinds”. James 1:2
So, what’s the JOY look like?
Could it be that during the trials we begin to increase our faith and trust in Him more and more because He’s testing us to remember that through the trials He is molding more and more to become like Jesus?
He tells us in Romans 8:28 “in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose”.
Almighty God we know you hear our prayers that are in the name if Jesus. Today we ask you in the name of Jesus to strengthen your sons and daughters that call you Father and know You and Jesus. We pray that You will guide us to be totally reliant upon You and not ourselves; that Holy Spirit would stir our hearts to seek Your love, joy, peace, and patience during this troubled time and that You to fill us with the strength our faith and trust in You.
In Christ,
Bill