In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 1 Peter 1:6-7

Thank You God for this pandemic:

1. That is slowing down the world. . .

So we have the time to notice that You are God. That You are real. That You care. That You are in control. You are King of kings and Lord of lords.

2. That is drawing families together.

Time spent realizing what a blessing our spouses and children are and that their lives are precious.

Building the family unit stronger by time spent together.

3. For Fear. . .

That leads to seeking You. Jeremiah 29:13 “You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.”

That is drawing people to streaming church services.

That is drawing Your church back to prayer. And others are seeking you in prayer.

That is unifying and refocusing the body of Christ.

4. That outreach is happening. . .

Through phone calls.

Through texting.

Being intentional about connecting.

5. For reminding us what the church is:

“and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,” 1Peter 1:8

By our attitude of rejoicing during this trial, we bring glory to God.

And the hope we have that through this many will come to salvation.

“Do this, knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now salvation is nearer to us than when we believed.” Roman’s 13:11

“for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.” Roman’s 10:10

Continually Seeking Him,

Sharon

“that all the peoples of the earth may know that the hand of the Lord is mighty, so that you may fear the Lord your God forever.”
Joshua 4:24 NASB

As I was reading this morning in the book of Joshua I wondered why God would choose to have the Israelites cross the Jordan River at the time of year when the riverbanks overflowed.

Would that not be a more dangerous time? “What ifs” could have been flowing through the minds of the Israelites but I’d like to think that they simply trusted the Lord and forged ahead. (I tend to lean to a more positive side).

During this storm God showed Himself. Why the storm? So “that all the peoples of the earth may know that the hand of the Lord is mighty, so that you may fear the Lord your God forever.”

As the world is experiencing a storm, who or what are you fearing? I hope your focus is the Lord God and trusting in Him who is mighty. He is bigger than the storm and He always has a plan. That plan may be for you to turn your life over to Him. Surrender your will to His. He is going to use this storm for His glory.

Already revivals are happening. In my little world there are people turning to prayer. God wants us to be aware of Him. “Seek God and His strength. Seek His face continually.”  (Psalm 105:4) and He will not only see you through this storm but show you things that will astound you. You will know that the hand of God is mighty and fear (revere) Him forever.

My hope is that your fear is not what this world does or doesn’t hold but what God holds for those who trust in Him.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon