LIVING UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES OR ABOVE THEM?

This is the start of the third week of social distancing, thanks to Covid 19.  How are you coping with this forced distance from family, friends and co-workers?  I don’t know about you, but I’ve had good days and bad days.  

I had a day last week that was tough.  I’m almost ashamed to tell about it because I am NOT a doctor or nurse on the front lines of caring for the sick and praying I stay well while doing it. That’s tough!  I’m not out of a job because the business that employs me had to shut down.  That’s tough. I’m not grieving over the loss of a loved one to this virus. That’s tough.  No.  I was just having a hard time being in, staying motivated, and finding something productive to do.  I’m embarrassed to admit it, but there it is. 

I can say though that that day really was an exception.  What has occupied more of my time than usual lately and has kept me grounded, at rest and without fear, has been the reading of God’s Word.  I’ve been reading in the Psalms and also in the gospel of John.  We’re doing a 21 day prayer focus in our church too, with a devotional video from our pastor on John’s gospel and a prayer emphasis to focus on that day.  

As I’m reading God’s Word, it has been a longtime practice of mine wherever I’m reading, to look specifically for the words the writer uses to describe God, and to write the words in the margin of my Bible, and then to use those very words to worship God in prayer.  

This week I read these things about God from the Psalms:

He is Judge

Deliverer

Defender

Merciful

Powerful

Our strength

He hears our prayers

He attends to our voice

Rock

Strong tower

Savior

Salvation

The Lord of Hosts (Captain of heaven’s armies)

He rules

And from John’s gospel:

He is Messiah

The Christ

The Source of Living Water

Lord of the Harvest

Sovereign over Creation (turning water into wine)

Healer (with just a word and at a distance)

Lord of the Sabbath

Giver of life

The Son of Man

Sovereign over Creation (feeding 5000)

The Bread of Heaven (who gives life to the world)

The Great I AM

The One Who satisfies spiritual hunger and thirst

The Resurrection

Seeker of the Father’s glory

Giver of the Holy Spirit

A number of years ago a good friend was going through a horrific family situation that threw them into confusion and despair.  One day I asked her how she was doing and she replied:  Okay, under the circumstances.  

She didn’t look upset at all, rather she looked calm and confident in the Lord.  I remember thinking, I know why she’s so calm.  It’s because she really isn’t living UNDER the circumstances, she’s living ABOVE them!

These are days when we could easily live under our circumstances.  We could let fear, uncertainty, what if’s, losses, anxiety, depression push us down so that we can barely get out of bed in the morning.  

Or, we can look at who God is and be lifted up.  Who is this God of ours?

Our God is powerful.  He’s the One for whom NOTHING is impossible!  He is our Healer and Deliverer.

Our God hears our prayers and is attentive to us.  When Jesus prayed, He said, “Father, I know you always hear me.”  He hears us too, always!

When we’re afraid, He is our Rock and our Strong Tower.  We can run to Him because He can’t be shaken and He never changes.

He’s our Savior and our Salvation.  He did for us in Jesus what we never could have done – made us acceptable, righteous, and forgiven in the eyes of God so that no matter what happens, we don’t have to fear the future.  We KNOW Jesus waits for us there and we will see Him face to face.

He is Israel’s long-awaited Messiah.  From Genesis to Revelation He has been God’s plan and the Scriptures testify that He is the fulfillment of all God’s promises to Israel and to all who believe.

He is the Bread of Life and the Source of Living Water.  All who come to Him can be sure they will never be spiritually hungry or thirsty, but completely satisfied in Jesus.

He is Sovereign over His Creation.  Is He the source of the Coronavirus?  No.  The fall of Adam and Eve affected creation as well, bringing sickness, disease, floods, famines, tornadoes, weeds, and all those things that mar creation.  However, God has allowed the Coronavirus – for our good and His glory – that you and I might see our need of Him and seek and worship Him and make Him known.

We can’t fail to be lifted up ABOVE our circumstances in the light of Who God is and what He has done.

I had a tough day last week, and I’m sure other tough days might lie ahead.  But when I feel weighed down UNDER my circumstances, I’m going to look into God’s Word, I’m going to look for God’s names and His attributes, and I’m going to dwell on Him and His majesty and greatness instead.

I hope you will too.

My soul, wait silently for God alone,

For my expectation is from Him.

He only is my rock and my salvation;

He is my defense.

In God is my salvation and my glory;

The rock of my strength,

And my refuge, is in God.

Trust in Him at all times, you people;

Pour out your heart before Him;

God is a refuge for us.

Psalm 62:5-8