Fear Not, God Will Make A Way

Fear not, for I am with you, do not be dismayed, for I am Your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. – Isaiah 41:10

 

I have read these words many times.  Until yesterday, I didn’t fully realize how encouraging these words are, especially as we live through the 2020 pandemic.  These words comfort me from down in my toes to the top of my head.  I am not afraid.  I don’t feel fear. I guess it is more uncertainty as to when this will end.  What is it all about?  What is God’s plan in all this?  But that is what faith is, right?  Facing the uncertainty, knowing and standing firmly on God’s promise and assurance that He is with us in and through all things.

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. – Hebrews 11:1 KJV

But our faith cannot be on, whatever.  The object of our faith must be JESUS. It is in Him we live, move, and have our being. So, on Him we must keep our focus.

Stay At Home

I miss the freedom of visiting my grand kids, my parents, and mother-in-law.  The “stay at home” order means just that, stay – at – home.  It feels like being “16“ and I’m grounded.  But grounded is what we are to be…grounded in our faith and trust in Jesus.

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power…Therefore, put on the whole armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.” – Ephesians 6:10,13 NIV

We hold firmly to Jesus’ ascending promise,

“…lo, I am with you always [remaining with you perpetually—regardless of circumstance, and on every occasion], even to the end of the age.” – Matthew 28:20b Amplified Bible

 

I can do all things through Him Who strengthens me. – Philippians 4:13 ESV

He will help and strengthen us as we go along each day of this pandemic.

Isolation

On Good Friday, our daughter-in-law asked 3 questions on social media:

1. Mentally, how long can we handle this isolation?
2. Financially, how long can we survive without work, or with less work?
3. Spiritually, how long can someone hold on to their faith, without their faith community?

I have thought of addressing each of these questions individually.  Then I thought, no, maybe collectively. While weighing the pros and cons of each, a song [don’t you know] by Don Moen came to mind.  Here are the words:

“God will make a way, where there seems to be no way.  He works in ways we cannot see.  He will make a way for me.  He will be my Guide, hold me closely to His side.  With love and strength for each new day, He will make a way.  He will make a way.  By a roadway in the wilderness, He’ll lead me.  Rivers in the desert will I see.Heaven and earth will fade, but His Word will still remain, and He will do something new today.” – God Will Make A Way by Don Moen

[Another good listen on Youtube.]  We may not know what the future holds, but we know Who holds the future. In Him [God] alone do we put our faith, hope, trust, and love. Fix your heart eyes on Him.

Faith

Referring back to the Hebrews passage above, the question herein lies, “What is faith if you know what will be happening.”  Faith is trusting in the Creator of all heavens and earth, regardless of our circumstances, knowing He is with us, and He knows how all this will be.  Though we don’t know  “why”, we can know that it is for His glory, and to His greater good.  We trust in his love for us, seen through His only Son, Jesus.  How He loves us is shown by His blood shed for ours.

We know what real love is because Jesus gave up His life for us. – 1 John 3: 16 NLT

His rising to life “seals the deal.”  As a result, we are adopted into God’s family, we are His children, and we can live with Him forever in eternity.

See that what you heard from the beginning remains in you.  If it does, you also will remain in the Son and in the Father.  And this is what He promised us—even eternal life…How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!  And that is what we are! – 1 John 2:24-25, 3:1a NIV 

Be at peace, knowing He is with us, we are His!