Carol Purves

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,.

Life can be hard at the moment. For some people times are desperate. But do not forget who is in charge. There will be a time when He will send us showers of blessing. We will be overwhelmed by His gifts and love to us. We just need to wait.

‘I will send down showers in season; there will be showers of blessing’ Ezekiel 34: 26

In our rushed and thoughtless life it is easy to forget the power and might of God. Nothing is to difficult for Him to do, if it is in His will. Sometimes we want something and then because it doesn’t happen we think it is God failing. It us wanting the wrong things.

‘Is the Lord’s arm too short? Now you will see…………… Numbers 11:23

There’s probably not much joy about at the moment. But in the midst of our world troubles there are many blessings. We need to have a willing spirit to be able to see them.

‘Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and grant be a willing spirit to sustain me.’ Psalm 51:12

‘Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.’ James 1:19

I’ve decided that my failing is the first commandment. Oh and probably the second. I’m not slow or quick to become angry, but I don’t listen enough and I am not slow to speak. I speak and then my brain follows.