Sunday, April 19 Service – provided online due to coronavirus social distancing. Scripture is taken from Nehemiah 2:1-8. This passage encourages us to trust in the Lord no matter the circumstances. Nehemiah had to trust the Lord in a situation where he did not know the outcome or how God was going to use him. Even so, he trusted God, and God used him to prepare the way for the Messiah.
TRUST
People are asking, “How do we cope with the COVID-19 virus?” I summarize my response under the word “T–R–U–S–T.”
TRUST God even when things feel confusing, disappointing, and uncertain. One of my favorite Scriptures is Isaiah 26:3–4, “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.” Why “trust in the Lord forever”? He is the “everlasting Rock.” He is the great unchanging and unchangeable Rock. Therefore, trust Him.
REACH out to others. In a crisis, it is easy to be overcome by self-pity and retreat. But this is a great opportunity for followers of Jesus to reach out to others in our neighborhood and community. COVID-19 gives us a great opportunity to do that.
UNDERSTAND that trials and crises impact all of us. Throughout human history, there have been wars, disease, famine, drought, natural disasters, and economic depressions. Understand that we live in a broken world and “the whole creation has been groaning” (Romans 8:22). Understand that we have a “living hope, an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading” (1 Peter 1:3–4).
STUDY the Word. This lockdown gives all of us more time to study the Word in depth. Each day, spend time in the Word. Pray, “Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of Your law” (Psalm 119:18).
THANKFUL — Be thankful. I realize there are many problems and difficulties in our lives, but praise the Lord! “Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever!” (Psalm 106:1). Thankful people are spiritually healthy and joyful. The joy of the Lord is our strength (Nehemiah 8:10).
So in this crisis, TRUST in the Lord each day!
Warmly in Christ,
Pastor Khalil Ayoub
