Carol Purves

I wonder what the Lord is trying to teach us at this difficult time. He is teaching us all the time, if only we would listen and understand. It would be a shame to come out of the virus and not to have learned His will.

‘The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.’ Psalm 103:8

The afflicted are those who do not know the love of God and are particularly worried at this time. Let them look to our God, He will calm their worried spirits.

‘My soul will boast in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and rejoice.’ Psalm 34:2

We do need God’s forgiveness and mercy, Though we do not deserve anything from Him. As a city, nation and world we need to ask for God’s forgiveness. We have got things so wrong, individually and collectively. We so need His mercy now.

‘Have mercy on me O God, according to Your unfailing love, according to Your great compassion blot out my transgressions.’ Psalm 51:1

In difficult time it can be hard to praise the Lord, but there is so much to be thankful. People are finding ways to be kind and helpful to others. Folk are thinking of neighbours. We pray that this kindness will continue.

‘I will extol the Lord at all times; His praise will always be on my lips.’

Psalm 34:1

We all have nights when we can’t sleep and our problems go round and round. The hours go by and the refreshing sleep eludes us. I’ve found it’s possible to pray ourselves to sleep. Not particularly bringing our problems to Him but giving praise.

‘I sought the Lord and He answered me. He delivered me from all my fears.’ Psalm 34:3

Christ sees us not just who we are but who we can become.

‘Therefore if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come; the old has gone, the new is here.’ 2 Corinthians 5:17

I have been renewed by Christ, but oh dear I still sin. That is because I am human. But there is hope in him.

In our present turmoil we long to know more of the glory of God. We will not make sense what is happening, but we will be more in contact with the One who does understand.

‘For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.’ Habakkuk 2:14

At Christmas we can think of God as a helpless baby. At Easter we can think of Him as a helpless man dying a terrible death. But He is GOD. Creator, sustainer and also judge. He’s not helpless there!

‘He is the Lord our God: His judgements are in all the earth.’ Psalm 105:7

When we seek God with all our heart, we will find Him because the Bible has promised that it will be so. But we can’t be passive about it, we need to search. He is right there waiting.

‘You will seek the Lord your God and you will find Him if you search after Him with all your heart and soul.’ Deuteronomy 4:29

Oh dear. I had a problem the other day and turned to human help before talking to God about. When will I learn? I need to always look to God, then i will not be shaken.

‘I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With Him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.’ Psalm 16:8