It is crazy how quickly things can change. One day I was worrying about one of my English exams coming up after spring break, the next day, the word on campus is that classes may go online for a bit, and then the next day, classes officially go online until at least April 3 & professors and students alike are almost in a panic on what its going to come of this semester. People are buying ridiculous amounts of toilet paper, and my friends and I are sent back home for awhile.
Life really can change that quickly. Our world is so inconsistent, and so many of us are left wondering how we are supposed to respond. Especially as followers of Jesus, how are we supposed to react to a national emergency, a worldwide pandemic?
Some are responding in panic, and others are taking no precautions and pretending like it is not even happening. I do not think either one of these responses are Biblical or Christlike. God has positioned us here in 2020, and we as the Church cannot forget that. God wants us exactly where we are right now because ultimately, the world is watching to see what we as the people of God are going to do. That is where the title of this post comes in: Jesus calls us to peace and to wisdom. Don't believe me? Let's look at Scripture together.
peace
(Jesus speaking): "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." John 14:27.
(Jesus speaking): "These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." John 16:33.
"Now the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all." 1 Thessalonians 3:16.
"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee." Isaiah 26:3.
"For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace." Romans 8:6.
"Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7.
"I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for Thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety." Psalm 4:8.
"Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, Make you perfect in every good work to do His will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ; to Whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen." Hebrews 13: 20-21.
"The Lord will give strength unto His people; the Lord will bless His people with peace." Psalm 29:11.
wisdom
"For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of His mouth cometh knowledge and understanding." Proverbs 2:6.
"But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy." James 3:17.
"The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility." Proverbs 15:33.
"Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding." Proverbs 4:7.
"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him." James 1:7
"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord." Colossians 3:16.
(Jesus speaking). "For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist." Luke 21:15.
...
So, brother or sister in Christ, you are called to live without fear, but you are also called to wisdom. You may have noticed that a lot of the verses on wisdom were from Proverbs. This is how important it is for the believer to have wisdom: God gave us an entire book of the Bible on it. Wash your hands, take the precautions, stay safe, but also do not panic. Instead, pray, worship, praise, meditate, serve, love, and read the Word of God. Remember, God has not given you the spirit of fear but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7).
I am often labelled by those around me as a "pessimist" because I have a tendency to go to the worst case scenario in most situations. Oddly enough, though, I have not been terribly afraid of this pandemic because I am choosing to let God be God and rest in the fact that He knows what He is doing. God is not surprised by any of this, and He sure isn't afraid. And because we know that, we do not have to be afraid either.
Jesus is bigger than this virus. Jesus is bigger than a worldwide pandemic. Jesus is bigger than Kroger almost being out of toilet paper. Jesus is bigger than our schools closing. Jesus is bigger than your fear.
Let this song encourage you today. Call upon the Name above ALL names, Jesus, and He will give you peace.
"Strongholds bowing to the Savior, resurrection power over every circumstance, His Word stands final and forever: It will not be shaken, He alone has won it all."
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