ENCOURAGEMENT FOR DISCOURAGING TIMES

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." - Psalm 46:1

These days, every time you turn on the TV news, you are reminded of death, devastation and disaster. These are perilous times. Many are hurting. Many are dying. The coronavirus has impacted the entire globe. Each day we hear sobering news about this disease and its effects.

It is easy to live in fear, worry and dread. We can easily be overcome with feelings of hopelessness and gloom. Many are discouraged. Some are even depressed. The number of infected patients is staggering. The number of deaths is heartbreaking.

To fellow believers, I want to give real encouragement today. We dare not pretend that this disease is false. Neither should we be careless about social distancing or regular cleaning. Yet I believe that the child of God should not live in the rut of despondency. Our faith is relevant for this time.

The psalmist conveys a message that we need today: "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." What a precious truth that we need right now!

From this verse, I want to share with you three things that should strengthen our faith during this time of crisis.

1. WE HAVE A HAVEN

First of all, we have a haven. The Bible says, "God is our refuge." We have a refuge in our Lord. A haven is a place of protection. We have a place of security. No, we are not necessarily immune from physical pain, but we are safe from ultimate eternal destruction.

When I was growing up, my parents taught me to come in out of the rain. When a storm came, they knew that the safest place for me to be was in the shelter of our home.

We have a mighty storm that is raging in our land. Residents are challenged to stay safe in their homes. While I have great respect for those in leadership and the medical community, I know that the safest place for me to be is in the haven of Christ. I am at home when I am with Him.

2. WE HAVE HOPE

Secondly, we have hope. The psalmist continues to state that the Lord is our, "... strength." Today, the strongest words of caution are given to the elderly, sick and weak. To be rather honest, we are all weak. Jesus said, "Without me, you can do nothing." I need His help daily.

We have a source of hope for these tough times. It is impossible to watch the news and have your strength renewed. It is difficult to be encouraged after watching news conferences about this virus. Yet as I look up to the Lord, I find the strength I need when I need it. I simply can't make it without Him. To be rather honest, you can't either.

We aren't as strong as we think we are. In spite of all our efforts, we're not self-sufficient. We need inner strength that must come from above. Isn't it good to know that God supplies us the strength that we need?

3. WE HAVE HELP

Finally, we have help. The psalmist wrote that God is, "... a very present help in trouble." We have trouble all around us right now. God is a very PRESENT help in trouble. It doesn't do us much good if help arrives late. God does more than provide help, He is that help.

When you encounter problems while working on something, it is good to call a help line or technical support phone number. When we look to the Lord in prayer and His Word, we find the help we need.

Look to Him today. He is your haven. He gives you hope. He brings you help. Trust in Him. Abide in Him.

If you do not have a vital union with Christ, let me recommend that you turn from your sins and trust Christ alone to save you. The good news is that Jesus came to save you from your sins. He came to give you abundant life. Through faith in Him, you'll find a haven. You'll find hope. You'll find help.

In a time of gloom and despair, we find encouragement in our Lord. God is our refuge and strength. He's a very present help in trouble.

TEACHABILITY

"Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD." - Psalm 34:11

So many make the mistake of thinking that education ends when they receive a diploma. Some foolishly think that they don't need to learn anything else after they obtain an advanced degree. The fact is that life itself is a classroom filled with lessons and tests. I have found that the tests in life are far more difficult than the tests I took in school.

A major problem that we are seeing is a lack of teachability among adults. Some refuse to learn or grow any further. They simply object to being taught. Others are teachable only if they find the subject interesting.

Of all the subjects in the world, I would guess the least common subject that people want to learn about is fearing the Lord. Few sermons are preached about this subject. Many think that this is an antiquated issue and that we don't need to learn about this subject. I strongly disagree. So does the Bible.

In Psalm 34:11, the Bible says, "Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD." The following verses of the psalm give us insight concerning the subject of fearing God. In verse 11, take note of two things.

1. INVITATION

First, there is an invitation: "Come, ye children ..." At first glance, you'd think that this invitation is solely for young people. Yet didn't Jesus instruct us to come to Him as little children? Even among professing believers, very few seem to have the child-like faith that Jesus expects. Children tend to be trusting. They live simple lives. We need to come to God with simple trust.

Here in America, we tend to complicate matters too much. We can take a simple subject and dissect it until no one understands it. Whether we want to admit it or not, we are not as smart as we think we are. The most educated people have purged God from their thoughts, thinking He is not real and certainly not needed. These "smart" people ridicule people of faith because of the simplicity of Christianity.

Yet God calls us to come to Him as little children. The invitation is for those who will respond with child-like dependency, not for those who feel that they are intellectually superior to everyone else.

2. INSTRUCTION

The invitation is given to receive specific instruction: "I will teach you the fear of the LORD." This instruction is needed. We need to be taught such healthy fear. Those who reject God or treat Him with disdain act as if He will always be silent and seem apathetic about their conduct. Nothing is further from the truth. All of us ... ALL of us ... will one day stand before God --- including those who refuse to believe on Him. How frightening it will be to stand before an angry God!

The Bible says that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Ultimately, God will reward the wise. The Bible gives no promise of eternal rewards for those who are attractive, intelligent or talented. However, Daniel 12:3 says, "And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament."

That's a good reason to heed the psalmists instruction and learn to fear God.

CHRIST AND CORONAVIRUS

"Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday." - Psalm 91:5-6

We are living in unusual times. People are acting like this is the end of the world. Cleaning supplies are in short supply. Major events have been canceled. The news is consumed with reports of the coronavirus. Fear seems to have gripped America and the world.

I am not a doctor or a medical expert. Nothing in this blog should be considered medical advise. Instead, I want believers to practically consider two things:

1. OUR ATTITUDE

First of all, let's consider our attitude concerning the coronavirus. If we are followers of Jesus, we are people of faith. LET'S LIVE LIKE IT!!! God has not called us to fear, so do not let fear drag you down. We have hope and it is found in Jesus Christ. Our Lord is bigger and stronger than this virus. This virus will pass at some time in the future, but Christ will reign as Lord forever. We should never forget this.

Some people live in panic. Others live in denial. As Christians, we should do neither.  We should be aware of reality, but face this reality with faith in Christ.

None of us are guaranteed that this disease won't affect us or our families. We may take safeguards, but this virus still may infiltrate our communities, our homes and our lives. Whether this occurs or not, our faith should remain anchored in Christ. Whether God chooses to use this virus to take us home to glory or not, we should live by faith, not by fear or feelings. We trust Romans 8:28 to be true in times like this, just like other times.

2. OUR ACTIONS

Secondly, let's consider our actions. First of all, use common sense when it comes to personal hygiene. Wash your hands often. Cover your mouth when you sneeze or cough. Stay home when you are sick. We should exercise this common sense all the time, not just during a health scare.

Secondly, as followers of Christ, we have a message of hope that is desperately needed in times like this. Let's faithfully stand for Christ and make the Gospel known. Those who worry and fret about death need to know that there is a heaven beyond the grave for the followers of Jesus. We have the powerful, life-changing message of the Gospel. Let's share it!!!

Third, be caring and compassionate towards others. Let's treat people with kindness and mercy, even if they reject our faith. We need to care for those who hurt or suffer.

Finally, let us pray. Pray for those who suffer from this virus, the flu and other ailments. Pray for the elderly and those with existing health issues, who are often the ones most dramatically impacted by these kinds of diseases.  Pray that the spread of this disease will end quickly.  Most of all, let's pray that people will turn from sin and look to Jesus, by faith, for salvation. You see, sin is actually the most scary disease. It is taking souls to hell daily.

If you are living in fear today, let me challenge you to look to Jesus today. There is salvation in Him alone. Whether you die from coronavirus, a heart attack, a car accident or some other means, one day you will face God. Apart from Christ there is no hope for you at all. It is more scary to face judgment unsaved than to be infected with the coronavirus. Turn from sin and look to Christ today.

Let me close by restating this fact: Coronavirus is making the headlines right now, but Christ is Lord of all.

SEEKING THE LORD

"The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing." - Psalm 34:10

It is refreshing to find someone who has a real passion for God. Few people have an unquenchable thirst for spiritual matters. Our country is in dire need of men and women who hunger for the things of God. The big question is this: do YOU have a passion for God?

In Psalm 34:10, David writes that young lions do lack and suffer hunger. Young lions, unlike adult lions, are very limited on their own. They cannot adequately provide for themselves. The young lions will easily go hungry without the aid of a parent.

In a similar manner, a man will die of spiritual hunger if he seeks to live independent of God. We are living in a land of starving people. Although food may be on the table daily, their souls are destitute.

Yet for those who seek the Lord, the Bible says, "... shall not want any good thing." Let's consider this for a moment.

1. THE PURSUIT OF GOD

First of all, the Bible says, "... they that seek the LORD..." In a verse rich with promise, it is important to note that the promise is contingent upon us seeking the Lord.

It seems strange that we know when to seek a doctor, seek a mechanic for an automobile and seek financial help with complicated tax forms, yet overall mankind doesn't have the sense to seek the Lord. For most people, they feel self-sufficient. They will only seek the Lord when a crisis arises.

On the other hand, a follower of Jesus seeks Him each day. Jesus said, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God."

While it is good to seek blessings from God, it is far better to seek the Blesser Himself. As Christians, we should seek Him daily, not just on Sundays.

2. THE PROVISIONS OF GOD

The Bible says that they that seek the Lord, "shall not want any good thing." In other words, God provides for His own. God is not responsible to provide for the devil's children, merely His own.

Paul wrote, "But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory, by Christ Jesus." As followers of Jesus, we know we are not self-sufficient. We are completely dependent upon God each moment. We depend on Him and He generously supplies our needs.

The promise is that when we seek Him, we'll not lack any good thing. All good things are gifts from the Father. He lavishly gives to His children out of the abundance of His storehouse of grace.

Seek the Lord. He is worth seeking. He rewards those who pursue Him passionately.

Are you seeking Him today?