It’s Your Time to Rise Up

English Audio Version

In 2020, the world suffered from the pandemic brought on by COVID-19.

Giant murder hornets swarmed a portion of the North American continent, frightening people with impending doom.

Then came the protests, washing across the United States, over racial inequity and misuse of police power.

Stores, restaurants, and even churches were closed. In some locations, Christians participating in drive-up services were threatened with tickets if they refused to disburse.

Senior centers locked their doors to the elderly, and hospitals were no longer allowing visitors to accompany their loved ones past the front door.

Even dog groomers said, “Park outside. We will come to you.”

Was there anywhere we could find solace in 2020? Elementary schools shut down, colleges sent students home, and the nation’s beaches shuttered access points.

2 Corinthians 4:8-9 encourages us to rise up in the Lord, for he is our salvation in our time of trouble.

“We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;”

The apostle Paul, master wordsmith, offers us four strong promises we can cling to.

Promise No. 1:

We are afflicted but not crushed.

It’s time to stand tall and let Jesus carry our weight for us.

Promise No 2:

We are perplexed but not driven to despair.

We know our Lord is in control. No harm can get past his protecting hand.

Promise No. 3:

We are persecuted but not forsaken.

We are in the world but not of the world. God is at our side in the wind and in the storm.

Promise No. 4:

We are struck down but not destroyed.

God takes us by the hand, and he lifts us into the dawn of a new day. In him, our hope is complete.

The events of the world cannot take our faith from us. We can be secure in the promises of God. He is our strong right arm, and in him, we have our assurance.

The promises of God are yea and amen, and our Lord will never leave us alone.

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Excerpt of the Day

Comparing ourselves to God keeps us from veering far off course.

From Our Indulgent Notions,  Posted 14 June 2015