“Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep His promises.” (Hebrews 10:23 NLT)
Yesterday I spent the day with the Israelites perched on the border of the Promised Land, waiting on the spies to gather evidence of it’s goodness. (Numbers 13) Of course, I was researching a sermon, but the Israelite sandals felt all-too-familiar when the report came back and ten of the spies had only bad news to share. Panic swept through the camp and weeping began. Fear gave way to frenzy, God’s people started making plans independent of Him and it all reminded me of our modern day Co-Vid19 dilemma.
See, the Israelites had two choices: believe the bad report perpetuated by the spies or believe the promises of God. One report brings despair and destruction, the other promotes hope and life.
Today, nine weeks into the pandemic, believers face the same powerful choice. We can grab hold of the bad reports perpetuated by the media, allowing our souls to be stirred up by those trying to sell a story OR we can hold tightly to the promises of God. Only one way will offer us the hope and life we are looking for.
This doesn’t mean that we put our heads in the sand or ignore the news entirely. It means we promote the promise of God over every news article and conspiracy theory. It means we continually reframe our immediate reality with the weight of the eternal.
So many believers have grown loud and discomposed in this pandemic. Fear and outrage are getting the upper hand. What if, instead, we grew loud with hope? With truth? With great confidence in God’s promise? What if we offered something consistent and life-giving amidst all this chaos and fear?
“So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s wil. Then you will continue to receive all that He has promised.” (Hebrews 10:35-36 NLT)
Lord, please protect us from the fear, distrust and confusion being peddled by the media. Guard our hearts with your promises. Give us great hope in Your word. May we promote You far and above anything else. We trust You, Lord; even when the world heaves and tosses. All our hope is in You. Amen.