Never Stop Praying
On May 18, all counties will be in Phase 3. Washington will fully reopen on June 30 if 70% of Washingtonians who are 16 years or older are vaccinated. This is exciting news for us. And for some of us, it is scary news because we have lived under the COVID 19 restrictions for almost 18 months. It has been a way of life, and change is not easy. The other day, I walked into Costco for the first time in a long time without a mask. It felt wonderful and strange at the same time. As I shopped in Costco, I felt the pang of insecurity and fear. I decided to put my mask back on.
Read the words of Nehemiah 4:14-23, “And I looked, and arose and said to the nobles, to the leaders, and to the rest of the people, Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, great and awesome, and fight for your brethren, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your houses.”
What are we afraid of? Coronavirus, economics, injustice, racism, mental health issues, education concerns, isolation, and two major battles we fight is fear and insecurity. We are feeling insecure over our future, and we face fear over our safety and health.
What can bring us peace and confidence? Nahum 1:7 says, “The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; And He knows those who trust in Him.”
Years ago, I was driving with one of my sons. It was summer, and the car windows were down. Into the car came a honeybee, and my son was terrified. He was afraid that the bee would sting him. I reached out and caught the bee in my hand. We pulled over to the side of the road, I put my hand out the window, opened it, and the bee flew away. I held up my hand so my son could see that the bee was gone, and so was his stinger now embedded in the palm of my hand. I told my son that the bee could not hurt him any longer. My son was ecstatic. In the same way, the bee lost its stinger, so fear loses its sting when placed our fear and insecurities into the hands of God.
Philippians 4:6-7, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
Never Stop Praying!
Come and join me in prayer on Wednesday, May 19, 2021, for the overcoming power of the Lord as we pray for the virus to come to an end. As we pray for the peace of Jerusalem as war is looming. The Lord calls us to stand with modern-day Israel and pray for peace. The Lord has called us to be His people with moral and biblical conviction, walking wisely and knowing His Word. Therefore we wisely stand with the land He’s called His own (Psalm 122:6). When we put our faith in the Redeemer who came through Israel, we enter into a heritage of those who have trusted God according to His revealed grace and redemptive purpose. Scripture declares that spiritually speaking, we become His chosen when we receive the Lord (Romans 2:28-29; Galatians 3:26-29). As a believer, we cannot be consistent with the message and purpose of Scripture and take a passive position toward Israel.
See you tomorrow in prayer,
Pastor Steve