Greetings Grace Family,
As we continue to remain sheltered in our homes we are probably learning a lot about ourselves and one another. Once we get beyond the frustration of it, this pandemic crisis provides many opportunities for growth in each of our lives. Try not to miss the lessons that are here. The Lord uses every circumstance to disciple us and strengthen our faith, our hope and our love.
Let me encourage you to stay connected with one another in various ways. A phone call, a text, an encouraging email that is sent to a brother or sister could be the very thing to help them have their joy restored. I am realizing that as this unique season continues, what I might intend to be a brief phone call to check in on someone can easily go for an hour! And that’s ok! Love one another by staying connected.
COVID QUESTIONS, ANSWERS FROM THE WORD
When we get past the daily survival of these crazy Covid 19 pandemic times, we ask the questions of “why are we going through all this” and “how long will we have to go through this?” Those 2 questions have led me this month to start looking at the book of Habakkuk, that very short but powerful Old Testament prophecy. In Habakkuk 1:1-2 in the midst of the confusion of his day we see the prophet taking these same 2 questions to God… “Lord, how long? Lord, why?” I believe there are answers in this Hebrew prophet’s 3 chapter conversation with the Lord that will help us through this time as we seek to be faithful to Him.
While you are sheltered at home for a while, I want to encourage and challenge you to spend time in God’s word, taking a deep dive into this short book. My goal is to have a deeper faith that trusts God during this worldwide Coronavirus crisis. During times of confusion we need to hear the LORD speak to us from His word. We need to be reminded that He is still our God. He is still on the throne, He can be our strength and we can make it through as we trust Him. Habakkuk demonstrates the kind of courageous faith by which the righteous need to live in the last 3 verses of the book…
Habakkuk 3:17-19
Though the fig tree should not blossom,
nor fruit be on the vines,
the produce of the olive fail
and the fields yield no food,
the flock be cut off from the fold
and there be no herd in the stalls,
18 yet I will rejoice in the Lord;
I will take joy in the God of my salvation.
19 God, the Lord, is my strength;
he makes my feet like the deer’s;
he makes me tread on my high places.
Stay safe!
Pastor Stan