The LORD of hosts, the God of Israel spoke to the exiles in Jeremiah 29:12-14 saying:

“When you call out to me and come and pray to me, I’ll hear you. You will seek me and find me when you search for me with all your heart. I’ll be found by you.
And I’ll restore your security and gather you from all the nations and all the places to which I’ve driven you, And I’ll bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile.”

I heard the Lord saying to me that He has not forgotten us, nor will He forsake us! Just as we must all know that we need to seek His face, His Kingdom, His Righteousness and His Will all the days of our lives; we must also know that God is where we are, waiting for us to come to Him. Yes, God is where you are!!

You can trust in the Lord, for the Bible says that those who fear Him shall be saved and delivered. For Psalm 118:5-9 reads:

“Out of my distress I called on the LORD; the LORD answered me and set me free. The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me? The LORD is on my side as my helper; I shall look in triumph on those who hate me. It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man. It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes.”

This is indeed true, says the Lord, but there are many among us who have yet to experience His gracious, unfailing love and mercy. The glory of God is awaiting all true and willing believers of Jesus Christ, our Rock and Redeemer, who on the Cross, brought to a complete end Satan’s ministry of death and condemnation. Jesus is our Holy and Almighty God, the Maker of Heaven and Earth. His love and mercy endures forever (Psalm 136) and His power and kingdom reign in all the earth! As Psalm 118:4 tells us “Let those who fear the LORD say, “His steadfast love endures forever.””

In his letter to the church in Rome, Paul asks in Romans 8:35-39,

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, “For Your sake we are killed all the day long. We are counted as sheep of slaughter. But in all these things we more than conquer through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

These Words appear to be a daring challenge to all the enemies of the saints (the beloved children of God). The love of Christ refers to God’s profound love for us as He has demonstrated it, through sacrifice (John 13:1). No matter what happens to us, no matter where we are, we can never be separated from his love. Suffering should not drive us away from God but help us to identify with him and allow his love to heal us. Romans 12:12 says: “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.”

Psalm 147:11 adds to this theme saying: “The Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in His unfailing love”. Therefore, let us be mindful and not fall into the deception and lies of the devil. Remember instead, that Jesus said in John 10:10 that: “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”

Have faith and trust in the Lord, your God, and do not yield to fear, even in times such as these for all the enemy does is tempt and deceive us with his lies, instil fear and divert your attention from God, to the things of this world.

God knows all our needs and all our circumstances. I pray that all who are in distress and suffering, will stand firm in faith and know that God is with you. Do not allow your circumstances get into the way of what God is about to do in your life, for He is doing a new thing! This is the glory of the Living God that surpass all wisdom and understanding of man. Yes brother, Yes sister, cry out to Him and He will hear you. God will respond to those who will respond to Him. Jesus says in Luke 6:46-48,

“And why do you call Me Lord, Lord, and do not do what I say? Whoever comes to Me and hears My Words, and does them, I will show you to whom he is like. He is like a man who built a house and dug deep and laid the foundation on a rock; and a flood occurring, the stream burst against that house and could not shake it; for it was founded on a rock.”

We need to know that everything in our life happens for a purpose which is known to God – our past, our present and our future. Arise, and stand up for Him who will give you godly wisdom and understanding. He will grant you wisdom and grace to endure all things to the very end. He who will listen, respond and remain obedient to the Word of God, will overcome all things and walk in His way and in His glory. For Jesus says in Matthew 6:33, “Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you.” He, who is the Light to your feet will lead you to His path and bring you out of all troubles in victory and in His glory!

In the Book of Job, we learned that Job’s confession and repentance finally took place although he did not know why he suffered so much. Eventually, he stopped complaining, questioning and challenging God’s wisdom and justice. He was reduced to utter humility, crushed beneath the weight of God’s questioning; so that all he could do was repent for his insolence. Without any answers to his questions, Job bowed in humble submission before God, repenting of his attitude and acknowledged God’s sovereignty and perfect justice. He responded to God in Job 42:2-6 saying,

“I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted. ’Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?’ Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know. ‘Hear, and I will speak; I will question you, and you make it known to me.’ I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you; therefore I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes.”

There may be times in our life when we do not have all the answers to our questions or our situation, but we must always remember that we can trust our eternal God and rest on Him, who is sovereign and always in control. He is our refuge, our tower of strength, our hope and life. He is the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the ending, the First and the Last. He is the Creator and the Victor!

God favours the humble. Psalm 138 describes how David gave thanks and praise to the Lord in humility, worship, praise and faith. Verses 6-8 reads:

“For though the LORD is high, he regards the lowly, but the haughty he knows from afar. Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life; you stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and your right hand delivers me. The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands.”

Let us all seek the Lord diligently and honour Him in obedience, in truth, in spirit, in reverence and in humility. May we be encouraged and strengthened as God grants us new understanding and instruction, which will bring hope and life, even in testing times of trials, tribulations or calamities.

Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. The counsel of God in Ephesians 6:11-13 reads:

“Put on the whole armour of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the whole armour of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.”

Let us stand on the promise of God in Mark 11:24, the Words of Jesus to His disciples: “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”

Amen and Amen!