Who’s Watching Who?
By Maria Drayton
Peace I leave with you; My [perfect] peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid. [Let My perfect peace calm you in every circumstance and give you courage and strength for every challenge.] John 14:27 (AMP)
The news channel had just reported that the school district would be closed for two weeks. Not only had the school district closed but I had already received emails from the: hotels, airlines, amusement parks, car dealerships, hospitals and medical facilities all either delaying events, advising of precautions taken, or closing all together. The world is a panic. It’s the churches time. One thing that has remained the same, Jesus.
So that He fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: “He Himself took our infirmities [upon Himself] and carried away our diseases.” Matthew 8:17 (AMP)
See, I had decided that I would no longer watch the news but keep any TV channel (that I could control) off any of the news stations. It’s all fear. Fear of the Coronavirus, Covid-19. Fear of a recession. Fear of disease. Fear of what’s going to happen next. We, as the church, are what people need to see. They need hope, they need peace.
You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5: 14-16 (NIV)
The gossip in my office has increased to a soft rumble as people gather together to discuss and talk about their fears of the virus. Who has the latest and most up-to-date fear to share with the group. But what is our position as the church? What are we doing? How are we acting? This is what the world is looking at besides the news. They are looking and waiting for the good news! The good news we have as believers! We are the hope givers, the life bringers and the fear killers.
When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. Luke 9: 1-2 (NIV)
I don’t care what the news, emails, stock market, or the Internet has to say. All I care about is what God has to say and He said:
“No weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and this is their vindication from me,” declares the Lord. Isaiah 54:17 (NIV)
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7 (KJV)
I will make changes as necessary and use wisdom by disinfecting my home more, buying more hand sanitizers for the entire family, and washing my hands more frequently. If the Holy Spirit directs me to do something, then I will do it. But I choose not to live in fear but the peace of the Lord.
Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits— who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagles. Psalm 103 1-5 (NIV)
Heavenly Father, thank You for remaining the same: yesterday, today and forever. Though the world rages with uncertainty You give me peace during the storm. I thank You for leaving me Your peace, that which surpasses all human understanding. You are my refuge and my strong tower. You are the Lord that heals. Keep me and my family from all harm and danger. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
For more encouragement, visit Maria at www.mariadrayton.com.
©2020 by Maria Drayton. All rights reserved.
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Originally published Monday, 03 April 2023.
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