Proverbs 24:10 3/17/2020*21*

“If you falter in a time of trouble, how small is your strength!”

I will not attempt to tell you how much of this crisis is hype, and how much is serious…because it doesn’t matter - our orders are the same:

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

The discussion seems to be centered on severity… and who is to blame…but that is the wrong focus.

By any definition, this is a time of trouble…. The only thing you control is how you respond.

We talk about faith and courage but then go buy toilet paper since everyone else is… thereby causing a shortage.  Like sheep, we run in herds jumping imaginary fences because the one in front of us jumped…. That is fear.

But we have been commanded to be strong and courageous …..not fearful. You can’t control circumstances, but you can control how you respond.

Courage is only courage when it is challenged. You cannot be fearless when there is no danger. So now is our chance to show those around us what the peace of God looks like.

While the public is desperate, the church should be different. We should exude faith and calmness… helping those in need, and shining light into darkness …We should stand in stark contrast to the anxiety all around us.

Talk of faith is cheap, until trouble comes –
So do you have faith now? ...is it real? - Then walk in it.

Be wise as serpents (Matt. 10:16) and act intelligently, but have no fear because fear is not from God (2 Tim. 1:7). And when the enemy lies about what you should be scared of, he speaks his native language (John 8:44) so don’t listen.

If we falter in time of trouble our strength is small….
Now is a time of trouble - so step up Christian…are you just going to talk about your faith, or are you going to live it out?

Show the world what confidence in God looks like – bring wisdom and calmness to your surroundings - so others will be attracted to God’s power and seek the love and peace they see in you.

“Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow. It empties today of its strength.” - Corrie Ten Boom