May the Lord Bless you with His Love, Joy, and Peace!!!
I started to put this devotional together yesterday, the 25th. That date is significant to me because yesterday, Sue and I had tickets to fly to Florida and use a friend’s house for 2 weeks. Yahoo!!
However, a few weeks ago (prior to any stay-in-place orders) we had to ask:
· If flying would be safe? Answer NO!
· We then went to AAA to plan a road trip wondering if staying in a hotel on the way was safe. Answer NO!
· As yesterday got closer we saw restaurants and attractions close.
· Although I really wanted to go …We needed to reschedule at a later time. It was a wise and necessary choice to make.
I imagine that many of you have had to make wise and necessary choices as well …things like:
· Changing your vacation trips like we did.
· Working at home.
· Postponing a wedding. (I have had 2 change dates so far.)
· Scheduling a family and friend gathering for the death of a loved one. (I have had 2 so far.)
· Changing plans for birthday parties (like we did for my grandson…today is his birthday).
· Changing the date for your Easter extended family lunch and egg hunt (we did for our large (20+ family)
· Postponing baptisms, dinner meetings …and the list goes on!
The good news is that this coronavirus will pass. Life will return to normal (or at least to a new normal). The one thing that we know for sure in these unsure times is that God Loves you! He will never leave you or forsake you…He is watching over you… He has you covered in His loving arms. Things look different and unsure…but God is our constant!
But back to my trip! Even though the weather has been nice here…It is 86 and sunny there. As we would have made our way to the beach, Sue would be putting on sun tan lotion to protect her from the sun (wise woman). I tend to ignore the dangers and end up with a burn on my nose, forehead, and shoulders. That’s better than those folks that fell asleep with items (like sunglasses or the book they were reading) on them only to wake with weird shapes on their sun burn bodies. Life is like that!!! We don’t always protect ourselves from things that can be harmful. Hopefully you are taking all of the recommended precautions in regard to the coronavirus, as well as the flu and pneumonia…stay in…stay away from people…wash hands and sanitize…wait it out.
Now, we have suntan lotion for the sunburn and social isolation for the coronavirus to protect us…but what about the dangers of living in our daily lives a sinful world?WE HAVE GOD’S WORD! (His Word is a lamp to your feet) Are you reading it daily? Applying it to your choices and direction in life? If not, start today!!!!!
There is a story that I read once that has fascinated me! It goes like this: “A pet-store delivery truck driver was traveling down the road. Every time he came to a stop light, he would get out of the truck, grab a 2×4. He would then run to the back of the truck and start beating on the back doors. This went on for miles. No one could figure out what he was doing. Finally, a guy pulled up next to him and ask “what are you doing?” The truck driver said “I am driving a 2-ton truck, but I am carrying 4 tons of canaries. I have to keep 2 tons of them in the air at all times!”
How about you? Does your life feel like that? Frantically trying to juggle all that life is throwing at you…trying to keep it from crashing down on you. Keeping it all in the air. Juggling issues, worries, obligations, fears all by yourself. God says that He wants to lift you up.
1 Peter 5:7… “Cast all your anxieties on Him because He cares for you.”
Isaiah 40:31…but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Proverbs 12:25…Anxiety weighs down the heart but a kind word cheers it up.
Psalm 28:7…The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.
Romans 8:28…And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Psalm 56:3…When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.
So…whether you are fearful of bills to be paid, stressed about being a homebound teacher for your kids, anxious about you job or business, lonely in isolation, fearful of the virus…Ask God to calm the storm. Ask Him to help you be concerned about the things you can control, and then to not “worry” about the things out of your control. Take care of the 2 tons of canaries you were created to handle!
Know in your heart that God exists…that you matter to Him…that He has the power to help you navigate this season of your life! Maybe you have seen this list before…but in this time of things we can not do…we can (and should):
· Pray (for all who are impacted by this pandemic)
· Worship in thought, word and prayer…as well as online at www.royred.org
· Be thankful for your many Blessings!
· Share Christ with others via phone, Facebook, email, etc.
· Impact someone you know who is all alone
· Help those in need. Donations to church, food banks, friends and neighbors you know
Lord…we know and trust that you are the Lord of Lords and the King of Kings! We also know that this is not the garden of Eden. This is a broken world…and yet you are sovereign. You have sent your son to overcome the evil, hurt, pains, worry and issues, and temptations we face daily. Help us to put our Hope in you. Help us to identify those that you would have us reach out to. Keep us safe, as well as the nurses, doctors, pharmacist, store and carry out workers. Give wisdom and unity to the governmental workers as they address the issues. TO YOU BE THE GLORY! Amen!