“This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”
Sometimes you wonder, “How much more can I take?” It seems that we have been under attack since the year 2020 began. It is supposed to be a year of vision. A year of being able to see what God is going to do in the lives of His people! But, you see, our thoughts are not His thoughts and our ways are not His ways. And we have been trying to do life our way for a long, long time. So, perhaps, the trouble we’re seeing and experiencing is being allowed to happen to bring us to the place that God has planned for us to be—worthy of standing in His presence.
You see, a diamond, before it became that beautiful stone you have in the ring on your finger, was just a lump of coal. It had to be cast into the fire several times and put under extreme pressure before it reached perfection. In the same way, our lives are perfected. You are that diamond!
Today people are suffering. First, we had the Coronavirus that seemed to spread like wildfire. Not only in the United States, but all over the world. Millions of people have died and are still dying. We’ve had to close businesses, plants that supply our food, churches—every place where people gather for work and recreation. We’ve had to stay in our homes. It worked for a while, but then people began to get agitated. They got bored. They couldn’t seem to be able to stand their own company. Many had forgotten their first Love. They had forgotten—or possibly had never known—that God has said He loves you and will never leave you nor forsake you. Many became afraid because they did not understand
Then a second wave hit! This one was violence. It began when the nation saw the killing of a man by the police. The man was black, the police were white, but no matter, it was a senseless murder that should never have happened. It caused waves of violence all across the United States and the world. What is this violence meant to accomplish? It is just exasperating the injustice of a senseless act by someone who should have known better.
In the midst of all this is evil. The author of evil and fear and violence is not God. Therefore, in the midst stands Satan who is having a field day at the expense of the lives of men and women. He is the author of fear which is the driving force behind all the anger and frustration and hate of the people who do not know what to do. Are you willing to let Satan stand there and laugh at you?
Every day belongs to the Lord who made heaven and earth. He tells us in the words of the Psalmist and the writer of Hebrews: “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Psalm 56:11/Hebrews 13:6) The anecdote for fear is faith. Place in your mind words that assure you of God’s presence from the moment you awake to carry you through the day. Use these words as a mantra: “This is the day the Lord has made, I will be glad and rejoice in it.” (Psalm 118:24) Then walk through your day knowing that you are not alone, being guided by His Holy Spirit. Then when you lay your head down upon your pillow, thank the Lord for your day and say, “I will both lie down and sleep in peace, [I] am not alone, for You Lord, make me dwell in safety” (Psalm 4:8) Fear cannot stand being around such faith!!
The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.” (Hebrew 13:5)
Lord, make me a blessing not a curse. Show me Your way—the way of love not hate. May my life bring glory to Your Holy name. In Jesus’ name I pray. AMEN
Psalm 31:7 Psalm 10:14 Psalm 118:24 Hebrews 13:5b,6
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