Impossible ... Or?

The Bible tells us that when the Israelites left Egypt and were about to cross over the Jordan River to enter the land that God had promised them, they feared many things.  The nations in the land were bigger and stronger than they were.  There were huge cities which were fortified with huge walls.  The inhabitants were so tall they were considered giants.  To the Israelites these things would be impossible were it not for one thing – God would go ahead of them.  With God’s strength, power, wisdom, and His promises He would be with them.  They were still fearful, but God gave them this reminder: “Today know this: GOD, your God, is crossing the river ahead of you” (Deuteronomy 9:3).

The Covid-19 pandemic, unemployment, loss of income, isolation from family members, inability to gather in large groups, and many other things are of great concern to us, or at times cause us to fear.  It seems that some of these things are impossible for us to get through.  What a great comfort and assurance it would be to remember that God goes before us, like He did the Israelites, into this “impossible situation.”  The verse tells us (1) The God of all strength goes with you – “God is”; (2) God is a personal God – “Your God”; and (3) God gets involved when we step out in faith.  “Is crossing … ahead of you.”

Don’t let impossibilities get you down.  Turn to God today and let Him help you as you face those impossible things that confront you today.

Handling Fear

Those of you lived through the horrible, tragic events of September 11, 2001 remember the fear that spread through the minds of the people in America.  Most likely fear has been present in your mind during the current COVID-19 virus pandemic.  Many are fearful asking: What will happen to me?  What about my family?  Am I properly sanitizing my home?  Am I staying home?  Am I following the recommendations of the Center for Disease Control?  What about the recommendations of social distancing?  Am I properly washing my hands?  Am I doing all that I can do?

How do people handle fear?  Some people are afraid to do anything.  Others withdraw as if in a cocoon.  Some turn to busyness.  Others turn to habits—be they bad or good.  So, how should we handle fear?  In the Bible, the psalmist offers an alternate solution, which is a far better solution.  He simply said, “When I am afraid, I will trust in you” (Psalm 56:3).  Notice three things from this verse.  (1) There were times when the psalmist was afraid.  (2) The psalmist knew he had to turn somewhere to alleviate his fear. (3) The psalmist identified not just something in which to trust but Someone to trust.  Who is the “you” he mentioned in that Bible verse?  Of course, it is God.  When we are fearful we need to handle our fear the same way the psalmist did.

It is tragic when we turn to something other than the Lord to avoid the pains of reality or cover up a feeling of fear that we are experiencing.  When we turn to God, our Heavenly Father stands ready to help us through our trials, provide the protection we need, and encourages us with His presence and peace.  During these troubling and fearful times, let’s take the advice of the psalmist and trust God.