Complimentary Story
When Jesus Christ knew His time to be crucified was near, He lovingly told His followers in John 14: 27 “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you: Not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” There is a peace that comes from trusting in and resting in, the Word of God. Trusting in the Creator of our souls, brings a peace of which nothing in this temporal world can avail itself.This current “pandemic” carries with it facts, speculation, theories, and much deception and intent which affects our lives in so many ways. It is interesting to hear the varying degrees of opinions as to what is really going on. I have my own, but that is not the purpose of this article as my opinions matter not. One thing that has become perfectly clear is the realization that we as a people are not in charge and never have been.
This is not a political article and I don’t intend for it to be. But, I take heart in knowing that despite what evil men believe is hidden behind the curtain, Christ’s Light will shine in the darkest places and He will no longer be denied as King by anyone. For one day that only the Father knows, we shall all be judged by a Righteous Judge. For it is written, “As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.” Romans 14:11-12.
Nothing is done in secret, despite what men may be deceived into thinking. This notion brings me peace when I see those in charge make senseless decisions with profound effects on behalf of our state and nation. Regardless of how bad things will get, they won’t last. “For His anger is but for a moment, and His favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes in the morning.” (Psalm 30:5). Believing this Truth does not signify to the world one with his head buried in the sand, quite to the contrary. It confirms that one trusts fully in God's promises to judge the nations and the people for the evil done to His creation.
I can find peace in knowing that we all are without excuse though we may deny God as Creator. “For the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead; so they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified Him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.” Romans 1:20-21.
Despite how smart we think we have become, our vain imaginations have only led to darkness. Jesus, the Light of the World has come and condemned the darkness, “And this is the condemnation, that Light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than Light, because their deeds were evil.” (John 3:19). We may live in dark and desperate times which I believe will grow even more darkened, but we don’t have to be overcome by it. Our redemption isn’t off in some far-away place. He has already come but has been rejected by even those whom He came to save.
Many are crumbling in fear and are burdened with the increased task of balancing school, work, home economics, play time, and the mere sorrow over making their children mask up in order to go out in public. Fear plagues many to the point that they can’t sleep and their minds are reeling from all of the change. Many are justifiably concerned about finances and how to pay bills. My own mother needs to have a heart procedure, identified before my dad passed in January and, cannot. The concerns and sorrow for this “plague” continues to mount and people feel powerless and without hope. But Hope has been in existence since the beginning of time. We’ve just been looking in all the wrong places, most often to our own fleshly desires.
When Jesus Christ gave the gift of peace to His followers, He gave with it the promise of, “power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the Enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” (Luke 10:19). Does that mean bad things won’t happen to the follower of Christ? No. Look what happened to Him, at the hands of evil people. But it does mean that when difficult times come, we don’t have to be taken by them. Instead of looking to man for answers, we can turn to Him and know that He holds the answers to ALL life’s problems.
This world can never bring us peace when it rejects as ruler, its Creator. God has been cast out in exchange for the rule and reign of deceptive men and women. Money has become the god of this world and with it, the pride of life. Those who control our worldly thoughts through mass media campaigns, controlled access to resources, controlled public education and candidates pre-selected for office, cannot change Truth. Politics and pandemics cannot change the fact that God is in control and He has allowed it to reveal the foolishness of those who deny Him. He has allowed them to be in control of this temporal world for His greater plans and purposes and, they shall one day give an account for every evil deed done. In that, I find peace.
I don’t know about you, but I find much peace and reassurance knowing that the very One Who knit me together in my mother’s womb, is still in charge and is sitting in the Heavens laughing at man's foolishness. Yes, He can’t believe we would be so foolish as to deny Him and think we can do things better. Psalm 2 reads in part, “Why do the heathen rage and the people imagine a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord, and against his anointed saying, Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us. He that sits in the Heavens shall laugh; the Lord shall have them in derision.” We are a nation who believes we are free, yet have voted in many who put us in bondage again.
Before being delivered up unto the hands of evil men, Jesus told His disciples, “Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave Me alone: and yet I am not alone because the Father is with Me. These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” John 16:32-33. Notice, before He ever went to the Cross He let the people know that He has overcome the world. Though we are scattered and some follow Him and others do not, He still proclaimed the victory that could only happen by Him going to the Cross. He also let us know that even in times of horrible distress as He was, we too are not alone.
Hectic schedules have come to a screeching halt. Families are forced to be together 24/7 and some don’t know what to do because they are generally distracted by activity. But, one thing I have realized in the lack of constant activity is that I am not alone and now have the time and ability to be in relationship with Him, my only True source of peace. God is allowing this time for us to assess our faith in Him. Do we trust Him or not? Do we truly believe His Word, or not? Or, do we trust more in our jobs, money, houses, cars, boats, and vacations, which shall one day all perish when that last breath is given or Christ returns. No one can change that Truth and any who try, are His enemies and face harsh judgment. In the meantime, He laughs at foolishness of men who have been deceived into believing they control anything.
“IF My people, which are called by My Name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, THEN I will hear from Heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14. We as a people shake our fist at God when trials happen, yet we don’t see what we have done with God. Notice that humility is the first step and most find this a difficult notion. Rest assured, if we don’t humble ourselves voluntarily, He will see to it that it happens for His greater purposes.
While it is only a relationship with Christ Jesus that can bring peace, He says in Matthew 10:34, “Think not that I am come to send peace on the earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.” A sword does battle, fillets, divides, severs, and conquers in a war. Jesus does not align Himself with evil and He protects His children. His Word is often referred to as a “Sword” because His Words do divide His followers from the world. While His Words divide, they also bring much comfort and peace in unsettling times.
If you find yourself unsettled, fearful, panic stricken, angry or, depressed during this “pandemic,” ask yourself “why?” Take a walk and notice the Daffodils that come up each year without us doing anything. The birds building nests and laying eggs in nearby bushes year after year. The leaves budding and bursting forth in various colors, some bearing fruit and others shade. Despite all teachings and beliefs of evolution, you must then smile and agree that God is Faithful and True. When you start noticing things you might have otherwise taken for granted, you realize even more that what is going on in our world is no secret to God and despite man’s efforts to rule, He is King and Judge of all.
Many read Psalm 23 as they mourn the deceased. But, I read it as promises for the man that is alive as he realizes all that has been done to bring him peace. “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul; He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His Name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies; Thou annointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”
Even King David who had done much evil in his life and had many enemies, was able to write this Psalm and trust in it. For he sought after something far more than this world or his position could offer, a peace that surpasses all understanding. He wasn’t moved by what he saw around him, or the evil from which he had turned. He knew what God had done for him and, he was ever so grateful. The vast wealth surrounding him and the power he yielded, faded in its allure.
In pride and deception, we too may have chosen worldly things to temporarily sooth our fears and sorrows. But, there is only One Sure Foundation upon which to place our trust and His Name is Jesus Christ, King of Kings and, Lord of Lords. We don’t have to suffer because He already did. He has already paid the ransom for our soul and delivered us from the grasps of the Enemy, so why do we toil all the day long?
“Wherefore should I fear in the days of evil, when the iniquity of my heels shall compass me about? They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches; None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him; For the redemption of their soul is precious…” (Psalm 49:5-8a).
You are precious to Him and that isn’t a fable. You are not Pixie Dust that came into being by some big bang. You were made on purpose, for a purpose and to be in relationship with Him Who made you in His Image (Genesis 1:26-27). May you find comfort and peace knowing that this life isn’t all there is. God sees and knows all you are enduring. He would love you to be in relationship and come to know His love deeply and for you to experience the peace that only He can give. As you spend time with The Shepherd in prayer and reading His Word, His Truth will guide you in all matters you must endure for a short time. His peace will be as the still waters, and you will be able to truly rest as your soul is restored.
“And it seemed evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell; but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15 What are you waiting for?
Mary Kay Gould is a non-denominational Biblical mentor to area women and teens and always available for prayer and Biblical counsel. You can reach her at going2zion@gmail.com
