For many of us our physical world is crumbling around us. By that, I do not mean we should despair or have no hope. I simply see the reality that the world many of us have grown accustomed to is quickly disappearing. In a sinful world there are plenty of things that need to disappear, but between the current pandemic and the worldview that has shifted in our country, the Christian culture I grew up in is no longer the what I recognize around me. While I am absolutely certain that we are marching to ultimate victory in Christ, the terrain we are currently crossing seems more treacherous than I have ever experienced.
Israel had multiple times they went through great tribulation as a nation. It could be hard to pick just one of these instances. As I contemplated the negatives we have seen this year my mind was drawn to the specific time when Jeremiah recorded his hurt from witnessing the destruction of Jerusalem. In the midst of his lament we read some of the most quoted and encouraging lines from the Old Testament.
“This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope.
It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.
They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.
The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.
The Lord is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.
It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord.”
The Holy Spirit’s words given to Jeremiah in Lamentations 3:21-26 have fixed my thoughts on something beyond the rubble.
In the circumstances of despair we see hope. We can have hope because of the these things brought to our minds. The Lord’s mercy, compassion, faithfulness, provision, and salvation. Though riots and destruction are happening around us, I would venture a guess that no one reading this article has seen this first hand at their doorstep…yet. We are just watching the idea of our culture crumble. No matter if it is physical or psychological we can see the same hope as Jeremiah. Have we been consumed, are we finished? Do we wake to a new morning each day? Has the salvation gifted through the work of Christ ceased? If you are reading this your answer is the same as mine while I am writing. NO, I am not finished. Today is a new day. Salvation is still offered. No matter how broken this world continues to be we have the faithful, compassionate, merciful, God who is holding the pieces together that He will use to accomplish His plans. Believers want this pandemic to end. Believers want peace in our streets and peace with our neighbors. But, Believers know that each day we wake God is on His throne and in complete control.
God has continually reminded me of His control though these uncertain times. He was in control when my wife had surgery at the beginning of the summer. He was in control when my Father-in-law had surgery in the middle of the summer. He was in control when the Corona Virus made it’s way into our family a few weeks ago. He was in control when Midway First Baptist came and rebuilt our entrance ramp while I was stuck in the bed fight this sickness. He is in control now that we are getting back into the routine of school with the kids. Each morning we get up to have devotion before we all go our separate ways is a reminder, “[His] mercies…are new every morning.” We have another day with Him on the throne being good to His creation even in difficult times and especially as we never deserve it.
Please pray for the kids as the new school year begins. Pray for their health and safety. Pray for their focus to retain what they are learning. Also, pray for Lindsay and I as we try to help them with their work in 5thgrade, 6th grade, 8th grade, 12th grade, GED program, and college (hopefully Desi will continue her good work without to much help from us). Thank you again for your support of this ministry. Together we can show these children and our potential future children the love of Christ.
