Month: March 2021

I was chatting with a lady while standing in the check-out line recently and during our conversation I learned she had no siblings, no children, no husband, and apparently didn’t even know her cousins. My first thought was how lonely she must be! But she didn’t appear lonely or even unhappy about any of that. She soon checked out and was gone, but I continued to think about our conversation.  A woman who had no family and yet seemed to be fine with her situation. She must have a good circle of friends and I wondered if she was part of a church. Check-out conversations are short, so I didn’t learn the answer to that question.

That experience reminded me of how cut off from people I felt last year when we were not allowed to meet at church as well as many other places. Humans are created to be with others and having our activities with others cancelled was harmful. People suffered by not seeing and being with family members and friends. Children missed out on much of their education and friendships. Video chat and Zoom cannot replace real-live togetherness. I’m thankful most of our daily activities are being restored  and we can be together again.

As I reflect on those months, a year, of shutdown I have to say I had more time for Bible study and prayer. Nothing can separate us from God’s love and His presence. Perhaps, God was preparing us for what is ahead. When I see so many of our freedoms being threatened, I wonder. Will we have to hide our Bibles and worship in secret one day? And, if that happens, will I be faithful to Jesus? It’s a question each of us must answer. We may one day feel we are standing alone in our faith, afraid and ready to give up. Elijah felt like that after God’s victory on Mount Carmel against the prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18-19).  Elijah complained to God, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, broken down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too” (1 Kings 19:14).

Of course, He was not the only one left. God assured Elijah, “Yet I reserve seven thousand in Israel—whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and all whose mouths have not kissed him” (1Kings 19:18). I don’t know if, or how soon, our freedom to live out our Christian lives may be taken away, but we should decide ahead of time how we will respond. God won’t leave us and He will provide the wisdom and strength to be faithful, no matter what!

“He (Christ) will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful” (1 Corinthians 1:8-9).

“Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray” (1John 3:17a).

God had freed the Israelites from their bondage in Egypt and they were nearing the fulfillment of the promised land.  The book of Numbers records the choosing of twelve leaders to explore the land of Canaan. As you may know, ten of those came back saying, “The land we explored devours those living in it. All the people we saw there are of great size” (Numbers 13:32). But the other two leaders, Joshua and Caleb, said:

“The land we passed through and explored is exceedingly good. If the Lord is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us. Only do not rebel against the Lord. And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will swallow them up. Their protection is gone, but the Lord is with us. Do not be afraid of them” (Numbers 14:7-9).

The response of the people was to weep and grumble against Moses and Aaron. They chose to listen to the bad report and ignored the encouragement to go up and take the land. Fear was the louder voice. The people had witnessed the miracles and faithfulness of God during their journey from Egypt. What happened to their faith? Why did they not trust God now?

Leaders carry heavy responsibilities. But so, do the followers. Followers choose whom to follow and often they choose to follow the one with the loudest voice. I cannot help but compare the Israelites’ situation to ours at the present time. Which leaders are we listening to? Some “loud” voices are saying: fear the virus, fear climate change, fear other’s opinions, fear the guns, fear each other! The quieter voice of “truth” is being drowned out. But Truth is there and must be reckoned with.

We see what is happening under the leadership in Washington, DC and maybe we tend to fear what may happen next. We have reason to keep our eyes open, and to keep our heads bowed in prayer. God sees what is happening. He sees the leaders who want to put us in bondage and lead our country down a dangerous path. God also sees those leaders who are standing strong for what is right, and there are many in Washington, DC as well as in our state governments. They need our prayers and encouragement. Write those emails, make those phone calls, let your leaders know you are praying for them.

Joshua and Caleb stood their ground in believing God would give them the land as He had promised. But because of the people’s refusal to believe, they had to wait 40 years to enter it. Oh, the regret those people and ten leaders must have felt! I don’t know what is in store for the United States these next few years, but I know God is still in control and He will never leave His people. I have no doubt, however, that we will experience that “dark winter” promised by our President. We are already. We must not lose heart. Through the scary times listen for the voice of Truth. Continue to trust God!

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10).

 I finally saw the robins in my front yard!