"We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed." - 2 Corinthians 4: 8-9
Like so many people across the country, I sat in front of my television horrified. An amalgam of fear, sadness, and disappointment completely overtook me. I asked myself over and over… “Could this really be happening”? As the reality of it all started to sink in, I couldn’t do anything but cry. I cried a very deep, mournful, uncontrollable cry. How could this happen?
In a time when our country struggles to take one step forward, how do we in an instant, instead take 60 steps back? When there has been an obvious demonstration of hate, disrespect and complete disregard for a large population of people, how then can that same hate, disrespect and disregard be chosen to lead and govern that same population of people? Moments like these can cause even the strongest, most confident person to question what actually matters? Does my vote matter? Does my safety matter? Does my LIFE… matter?
God answers with an astounding and reassuring, YES! God reassures us that He loves us and that we matter! Psalm 145:9 tells us that “The Lord is good to all; he has compassion for all he has made.” Scripture also tells us that God has a special place in his heart for those that are wrongfully persecuted. 2 Thessalonians 1: 5-6 “God will use this persecution to show His justice and to make you worthy of his Kingdom, for which you are suffering. In his justice, He will pay back those who persecute you.” God is intimately concerned with His children and He hears our cries for help. Even with everything that we have been through, God has never left us and never will... But, have we left Him?
As I prayed and petitioned God for guidance and comfort, I was presented with the question… “Wherein does my faith lie”. Am I fearful and worried because my faith is in man? Do I truly trust that God is still in control? The reality is that none of us are secure in this world, except in Christ. Nothing is certain, except Him. We are incredibly fragile and completely dependent on God for every breath and for everything. When we are tempted and anxious about the future, it is important for us to hold on to God’s infallible word. Pastor Wilson spoke about having a purity of belief. We must believe, without any doubt, in the God that we serve. No matter what the world may present us with, no matter how frightening the road ahead may seem, we must stand on the word of God and trust only in Him. As the songwriter declared…
“My hope is built on nothing less, but Jesus’ blood and righteousness. I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus’ name. On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand; All other ground is sinking sand. All other ground is sinking sand”.
Heavenly Father, we pray the prayer of David in Psalm 56. Be merciful to me, my God, for my enemies are in hot pursuit; all day long they press their attack. My adversaries pursue me all day long; in their pride many are attacking me. When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me? They conspire, they lurk, they watch my steps, hoping to take my life. But God, my complete trust is in You and You alone! In Jesus’ name. Amen
“One of the greatest evidences of God’s love to those that love him is, to send them afflictions, with grace to bear them” - John Wesley
By: Min. April Carter
