Carol Purves

‘But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure, then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.’ James 3:17

That’s an awful lot to live up to. Thank goodness we don’t have to do it in our own strength.

‘We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down but not destroyed.’

2 Corinthians 4:8-9

We are going through hard times. We are finding life difficult; everyone in different ways. But we are not going through this alone (even if we are isolated) God is with us in this pandemic.

As life is so different for everyone, we have new ways of sharing our love of God. While many opportunities are closed to us, other ways have opened up. We need to be aware of these and look out for them. And then don’t show a spirit of fear.

‘You didn’t receive a spirit of slavery to lead you back again into fear, but you received a spirit that shows you are adopted as God’s children.’ Romans 8:15

Micah is not an easy book to find in the Bible and we wouldn’t expect it to contain many memorable quotes. But this one is hidden away and is such good advice for living, not just in these days but always.

‘And what does the Lord require of you, to act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with you God. Micah 6:8

I’d never realised before how many words of encouragement there in the Bible. If I underscored them all in my Bible then my Bible would be very underscored. Maybe they are jumping out at me now, because they are needed.

”The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.’

Sufferance is never welcome but that is what we are promised in this life. But we do not want our suffering to be wasted. It will produce endurance and also character. This in turn will produce hope. Hope is what keeps us going but it is not a vain hope. We hope in the full knowledge that we will have our reward in heaven.

‘Suffering produces endurance and endurance produces character and character produces hope and hope does not disappoint us.’ Romans 5:3-5

In these days of social distancing, we will often be hearing our friends and family speak instead of seeing them. Therefore it is all the more important that what we say is helpful and uplifting.

‘Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs that it may benefit those who listen.’ Ephesians 4:29

The Bible is full of words of encouragement. Biblical characters went through many trials and tribulations. It was only by turning to the Lord that they were able to cope. We are in ‘a time of trouble’. Our only help is in the Lord. We need to turn to Him.

‘God is our refuge and strength , an ever-present help in time of trouble.’ Psalm 46:1

‘I will lift up my eyes to the hills. Where does my help come from. My help comes from the Lord who made heaven and earth.’ Psalm 121:1-2

This help applies as much to today as it did the first day of lockdown. God’s power hasn’t diminished, even if our tolerance has. It is God who knows the answers to all our questions. When will this and that be lifted? When will I be able to various things things freely? God won’t tell us but He will help us to cope and be triumphant.

‘If disaster comes upon us ………. we will cry out to You and you will hear and save.’ 2 Chronicles 20:9

As we are all suffering from a pandemic, it would be true to say that disaster has come up on us. Everyone is suffering. We need to cry out to God. Only He can help us. He will hear and save us. We don’t know what form this saving will take but we must trust,.