23/4/2020 – In God We Trust

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Daily-Devotional

IN GOD WE TRUST
Three months ago, none of us could have ever imagined the situation we are in today. COVID-19 has shaken the grounds under our feet. No one could have grasped social distancing or social isolation and the impacts on our economy and livelihoods.

We cannot do the things we have taken for granted – visiting friends, no cricket, no football, no sports, holidays, picnic in the park, etc. Who could have predicted oil prices would drop to $1 a barrel!!

What COVID-19 has done for us is to strip life down to its basic motivations and fears. It makes us examine our security in life. Our security and retirement plans have been greatly shaken like an earthquake. We are disorientated, uncertain, anxious and fearful.

Yet, it is particularly important during these times for us to reflect and focus on what is important and precious to us. Despite all the upheavals and changes around us, our pillars of faith in Jesus Christ cannot be shaken. They cannot and will never change. More than ever, we proclaim: On Christ the solid rock I stand All other ground is sinking sand

GOD HAS NOT CHANGED
Our God is holy and sovereign. He is the same, yesterday, today and forever (Heb 13.8). He is our Creator God.

Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand
or marked off the heavens with the span of his hand?
Who has gathered the dust of the earth in a measure
or weighed the mountains on a balance
and the hills on the scales?
13 Who has directed the Spirit of the LORD,
or who gave him counsel?
14 Who did he consult?
Who gave him understanding
and taught him the paths of justice?
Who taught him knowledge
and showed him the way of understanding?
Isaiah 40.12-14

Our Sovereign God is in charge and in control, “For he causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous” (Matt 5.45). God’s Word Has Not Changed COVID-19 has resulted in drastic changes in our lives. Yet, our confidence in His Word is as sure and firm as it has ever been. God’s Word comforts and assures us that He will see us through this pandemic.

The grass withers, the flowers fade, but the word of our God remains forever. (Isa 40.8). Romans 8.38 assures that nothing, not even COVID-19, can separate us from the love of God and in all things, we are more than conquerors in Jesus. God’s Word is living, imperishable and endures forever (1 Pet 1.23). Keep up with your Bible reading.

GOD’S PLAN HAS NOT CHANGED
COVID-19 has disrupted our lives, but God’s plan and purpose remain the same – ​to bring everything together in Christ, both things in heaven and things on earth in him (Eph 1.10) and people from every nation, tribe, people and language will stand before His throne and praise Him (Rev. 7:9). COVID-19 is a metaphoric storm in our lives, just like the storm in Mark 4.35ff. Just like the disciples, we are fearful of the storm. But God is in charge and there is no storm too great for Him that He cannot silence.

GOD’S PLAN FOR US HAS NOT CHANGED
Ephesians 2 tells us that we have been saved by grace through faith, and created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time for us to do. (Eph 2. 9-10). The world – our friends, families, neighbours and community – need to know Jesus as Lord and Saviour. They need to hear the Good News that Jesus brings to a world in need of His mercy and grace.

We have an opportunity to speak of the real hope we have in Jesus. To speak of the security and confidence we have in a world that is struggling to find security. To speak of the assurance of eternal life in Christ amidst the fear of death.

Christ is truly our one sure foundation. No matter what the future holds, we can be certain of our future in Christ. He is our great high priest who understands our predicaments. Let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in time of need (Heb 4.14 – 16). In our Sovereign and Holy God, we trust.

Prayer of the Day

Heavenly Father, I pray this: that my love will keep on growing in knowledge and every kind of discernment, so that I may approve the things that are superior and may be pure and blameless in the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of you. Amen.