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A Christian Response to Coronavirus

Our response to the the crisis gripping the world must be to possess and communicate the truth that, “Yes, we understand that you may be anxious, but there is an offering of peace that was made so long ago in the person of the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ. His call is to rest in His care, His concern, His watchfulness and His sovereignty. How can we rest, when the chaos around us is exploding? Here are a few practical ways:

When you wash your hands, wash your heart of anxiety at the same time.

My anxiety is directly proportional to my hold on this world. The more I clutch things of this world, the more I worry about my loss of things of this world. What I am committing to Him, frees me so that I need not carry the load. When washing your hands, use the time to review verses on God’s peace like these below, committing them to memory or writing them on cards that you can put beside your sinks:

Isaiah 26:3 – “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, Him whose mind is stayed on Thee, because He trusts in Thee.”

Philippians 4:6,7 – “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God and the peace of God, which passes all comprehension, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”

 

Don’t touch your face, but do look into His face.

The pattern of the Bible is to trust in the peace and deliverance of God. As Marty preached, the Lord does not simply give peace, He is our Peace; He is our Jehovah Shalom. These verses remind us of His presence, power and peace.

Isaiah 41:10 – “Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”

Joshua 1:9  –  “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Psalm 94: “When my anxious thoughts multiply within me, Your consolations delight my soul.”

Matthew 11:28-30 – “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

John 14:27 – “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you.  Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.”

II Thessalonians 3:16 – “Now may the Lord of peace Himself continually grant you peace in every circumstance. The Lord be with you all!”

I Peter 5:7 –  “Casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.”

Psalm 56:3 – “When I am afraid, I will put my trust in You.”

 

Cough into your sleeve, and then roll up your other sleeve and ask God for His leading you into opportunities to serve.

You can serve with a phone call or prayer from your home. Give someone a FaceTime or Skype call so you can see each other, or send a note to break the isolation. Deliver groceries or pharmacy goods to the front porch of others or take a few minutes to talk through the glass door. We will seldom be more Christ-like than when we serve others.

Mark 10:45 – “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

Even the chaos and crises of this world fall under the One who is sovereign over all things. We can trust that He has purpose and and divine intention in all that takes place. The psalmist sharing the very heart of God in Psalm 23:4 reminds us, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” Even death is only a shadow. He is our blessed and permanent hope!

Date

Apr 19 2020
Category
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