Carol Purves

I’m not sure where your country is in recovering from the corona virus but we can take heart. We do not need to despair, God is with us whatever our circumstances. He know all about the situation and He is more than capable to cope with any crisis.

‘Therefore we do not lose heart, though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.’2 Corinthians 4:16

Life is difficult; times are hard but hang in there. It will pass and all our present problems will be worth our reward.

‘For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.’ 2 Corinthians 4:17

‘The Lord is your shepherd; you will not be in want.’ Psalm 23:1

‘When I am afraid, I will trust in You.’ Psalm 56:3

When I speak to friends they admit to being afraid of the future. They don’t know what the world will look like after lockdown. They are afraid of a second wave in our country. Will they still have a job? Will the children be safe back at school? There is only one place to look; look to the living and all-powerful God.

‘I tell you whatever you ask for in prayer , believe that you have received it and it will be yours.’ Mark 11:24

I’m was interested in the tense used here. ‘You have received it.’ That is an example of God working immediately. Even before you pray for something (so long as you’re asking according to His will) you will be receiving it.

Our lives may be full of persecution but we can hold our heads up high. We belong to the King of Kings. There is none higher. As we know, especially at the present time, life can be hard, very hard. But our God will deliver us.

‘In You, o Lord, I have taken refuge, let me never be put to shame; deliver me in Your righteousness.

‘But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all surpassing power is from God and not from us.’ 2 Corinthians 4:7

This is a time when we are more conscious than ever that we are jars of clay and could smash at any moment. We do praise God that any good thing we do in our lives is not from us but from God.

‘When I am afraid, I will trust in You.’ Psalm 56:3

Life can be scary for all of us at the moment, whatever our situation. We can be lonely, ill, frightened, running out of money, confused and so many other things. There is only one place we can turn. Our trust in God will never be misplaced.

The mission church near where i used to live had this text on the wall of the church ‘God is Love.’ As locals everyone referred to this area as God is love. Even the bus drivers used to say ‘Do you want to get off at ‘God is love.’ How many people I wonder stopped to think ‘God is Love.?

‘We know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in Him.’ 1 John 4:16

‘You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised.’ Hebrews 10:36

Perseverance is what is needed in these days. But are we persevering in our will or the will of God. If so we will receive what He has promised. God always keeps His word. What has He promised? Eternal life.