Wednesday, April 22, 2020

God Is Here and He is Working


Wednesday, April 22, 2020  

…the people dwelling in darkness have seen a great light, and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death, on them a light has dawned.” From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”  Matthew 4:16-17

God is Here and He is Working
If there was ever a time when God’s children needed to pray that we might know and hear the voice of God and follow the ways of God, it’s now. When we look at the events of the world and believe they are the result of the actions of men and not God, we get confused and afraid.  We tend to forget the beliefs we hold on the sovereignty of God, that even in this present crisis He is in control.  He saw it coming, He was prepared, and He is working through it.  We have already seen some great things happen that cannot be attributed to anything else other than His hand.

A lot of us have sat staring at the news with our jaw gaping open because we didn’t think this could ever happen.  We need to stop reacting and take action to be the hands and feet of Jesus as much as possible.  He is working and He wants us to be working with Him.  John 12:26 says If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him. If we are truly His servants where will we be? Right beside Him serving however He tells us to serve.  There are lots of ways to do His work from where you are – maybe call a friend who lives alone or donate some items to a church or group that is putting together packages for those in need.  Some are sewing masks. These acts of kindness are displays of God’s love.

We Are Qualified For the Job
God uses ordinary people to do His extraordinary work, as He always has. the Bible is full of story after story of ordinary people that God used to do mighty things. Right now, the world is hurting and dark.  Our job is to bring the light. That’s our purpose—every corner of darkness exposed by the light of our presence so that broken families, sick people, people who lost jobs, those struggling with addictions, and others will know the light of God and His love, mercy, forgiveness, and grace.  He has qualified us with His sanctification and sacrifice on the cross. 

The Gospel Shared
There are more people seeking and looking for God and, ironically, there are more opportunities for people to hear the gospel.  While there are not a greater number of churches meeting than there were before.  already was, now most churches are online, so if someone were searching online it would be so easy for them to find a church service or Bible study to watch.  Lay people are also sharing the word more frequently in live videos.  He is working in hearts and touching lives and strengthening families.

We Are Less Distracted
Time has slowed way down for a lot of us.  All the dist    ractions and busyness have suddenly been shut down and we are left with a lot of time on our hands, and we are getting more rest as result also.  Our lives were packed with precious little free time for family and God.  Now He has our attention and we have the time. We are spending more time with family and we have more time for His work.

Many things have closed temporarily, but God never shuts down, and just because the doors of the church are shut, that does not mean He is not working. Nor does it mean that we are not to be working.  He never stops working and when the world needs Him the most, He is there, always accessible. He wants us to spread the news, get the word out – He is the way maker.  He is working even when we don’t see it.  He is working even when we don’t feel it – yes even in a world crisis.  He is faithful and keeps His promises – no matter the circumstances. 

Devotional Archive