REJOICING ANYWAY
What has God been teaching you through this pandemic, economic crisis and time of civil unrest? Probably one truth is to keep your eyes on Him more and on conditions around us less. As Americans, we have had everything quite good for so long that we come to expect it will continue forever. When circumstances change, we can start focusing too much on what we don’t have instead of what we do have.
Various studies have shown that people in poorer countries feel happier than those in richer countries when it seems the opposite should be true. Clearly prosperity doesn’t guarantee happiness. And lack of prosperity doesn’t automatically bring sadness. When we depend on external conditions to bring satisfaction and enjoyment, we will be disappointed. As Christians we know peace and joy come from the Spirit within (Galatians 5:22-23), not from circumstances without. Yet in times like these we can allow changes round us to take away our contentment. I believe one of the lessons God is teaching His people is to keep our eyes on Him and not what is changing around us.
No matter what happens, God is with us and we can rejoice in Him. Habakkuk proclaimed that judgment for sin was coming on the Jews (Habakkuk 1:5-11). But God promised to be with them no matter what. Habakkuk 3:17-18 Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.
Lamentations 3:22-23 Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
Are you able to keep your eyes on Jesus during these times and rejoice in Him? Think what a testimony it would be if God’s people showed the world how to trust in God through challenging circumstances.
What other lessons is God teaching you during these times? Please email me a few sentences summarizing what God has been teaching you through all of this. jerry@schmoyer.nethtml
cto Rev. Dr. JERRY SCHMOYER
Christian Training Organization
Jerry@ChristianTrainingOrganization.org
(India Outreach, Spiritual Warfare, Family Ministries, Counseling, World View)
Copyright © 2020