Faithful

Everyone is talking about it. Everyone is affected by it. We are watching news media outlets either set fire to the already fearful audiences, or downplay it completely. Toilet paper is leaving the shelves. Water is leaving the shelves. Panic is beginning to creep into my backyard, and lets just address the elephant in the room.

I’m not going to talk about it. I’m going to not even going to say the name. I’m going to talk about about fear. Lets just stay right there. Let’s just rest there.

Here’s the truth. Next month, it may be something else. IT may not. However, Jesus will still be Jesus. He won’t be any different. HE will still be your rest. He will still be your peace. I’m about to put an entire Psalm in my writing here. It’s worth it. Breathe it in. Print it out. Remember that this truth that was written thousands of years ago still rings true.

Psalm 27

The Lord is my light and my salvation—
Whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the refuge and fortress of my life—
Whom shall I dread? When the wicked came against me to eat up my flesh,
My adversaries and my enemies, they stumbled and fell. Though an army encamp against me,
My heart will not fear;
Though war arise against me,
Even in this I am confident.One thing I have asked of the Lord, and that I will seek:
That I may dwell in the house of the Lord [in His presence] all the days of my life,
To gaze upon the beauty [the delightful loveliness and majestic grandeur] of the Lord
And to meditate in His temple.
For in the day of trouble He will hide me in His shelter;
In the secret place of His tent He will hide me;
He will lift me up on a rock.
And now my head will be lifted up above my enemies around me,
In His tent I will offer sacrifices with shouts of joy;
I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord. Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud;
Be gracious and compassionate to me and answer me.
 When You said, “Seek My face [in prayer, require My presence as your greatest need],” my heart said to You,
“Your face, O Lord, I will seek [on the authority of Your word].”
Do not hide Your face from me,
Do not turn Your servant away in anger;
You have been my help;
Do not abandon me nor ^[a]leave me,
O God of my salvation!
Although my father and my mother have abandoned me,
Yet the Lord will take me up [adopt me as His child].¹¹ 
Teach me Your way, O Lord,
And lead me on a level path
Because of my enemies [who lie in wait].
Do not give me up to the will of my adversaries,
For false witnesses have come against me;
They breathe out violence.
I would have despaired had I not believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord
In the land of the living.
Wait for and confidently expect the Lord;
Be strong and let your heart take courage;
Yes, wait for and confidently expect the Lord.

The LORD is…our light. So, as we struggle with finding the truth in media, in finding stupid toilet paper, whatever, we never need struggle with finding the true Light. HE is our light. Always. Hope is found. Salvation. He is our deliverance. HE is our way out of this madness. We need not be afraid. Media may cry fear, but God says, he is the defense of your life today.

You need not dread anything in your life if you have him as the Lord of your life. No adversary, no enemy, no host can touch you truly, when the King of kings is your King. So, beloved, let us encourage one another to not be afraid. On Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, be the voice that encourages people to Jesus, not to fear.

Let us lead one another to dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of our lives. Let us encourage one another to behold the beauty of the Lord and focus our eyes clearly on our mission. Hint: it’s not fear.

So, this day of trouble, we are held, we are lifted up. We are also called to call others to be the light. Others need to know the kindness of God. Be the kindness of God.

So, sing. Sing his praises. Sing through the fear. Sing in the storm. Sounds a little strange, but I listen to worship music through the storm. I pray through the storm. Seek his face. Seek his way.

Peace.