April 2, 2020 - - Psalm 119:143 - - Making Disciples in Times of Anguish

Trouble and anguish have found me out,

but your commandments are my delight.

Psalm 119:143 English Standard Version

These words certainly speak to our times. As the crisis deepens and the number of those infected with Covid-19 races to the million person mark, so much of what we used to know as stability is now in upheaval. Gas prices are crazy—we haven’t seen them this low in years. For many people retirement savings have been wiped out. Couples who kept busy in order to avoid one another are now finding they are cooped up together and conflicts which used to simmer under the surface are now blazing. As the plague increases it is reaching a point where all of us know people who are directly affected by Covid-19. The second line of our text is filled with grace: ‘but your commandments are my delight’.

Now, more than ever the question needs to be asked: whose disciple am I? In order for us not to be overwhelmed with the relentless, dire newscasts and predictions of disaster, we need to be brought to the feet of Him Who is our Delight. Jesus commanded His followers to make disciples of all nations and included in that commission “teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19-20). Those who disciple others read the times, know the vagaries of the world and her leaders and remain steadfast, standing firm on the Rock that is Jesus.

Find a Christian whose faith you admire and ask to spend time with him or her. Use video chat or phone calls and ask your questions. Find out why he is so steady when so much in our world seems to be tottering and on the verge of collapse. Times such as these are given so that we examine our assumptions and are catapulted out of our comfort zones in order that we might be confronted with the glories of Him Who holds the universe in His hands and guards in peace His beloved children. Do not waste this moment.

Fearless saints, be prepared today for those in your life who question you, asking things like: “How can you be so filled with peace while it seems the world is burning?” Be prepared to give an answer for the peace that in you. Such peace rises from the knowledge that we anchored to our sure hope Jesus Christ. May the LORD our God use these days of trouble and anguish to build our faith and to use these times to increase opportunities for us to tell of His love so lavishly poured out in Jesus Christ and the assurance of His love guarded in us by the powerful presence of the Holy Spirit.

With the hymn-writer of old we praise You, singing from the depths of our hearts: “Great is Your faithfulness, O God my Father!” Thank You for the lessons of history, where we read of wars, plagues, famines, violence and all manner of anguish and above the din and noise of clashing catastrophes we hear the rising tide of praise and hope-filled testimonies of Your deliverance. Thank You for the lessons of our own lives, where we know You have rescued us in Jesus Christ and sealed to our hearts Your Spirit so that we would know ourselves to be in the grip of Your grace. Faithful God our Father, help us to disciple and mentor those who are living in fear. Gentle LORD, for those among us who are feel the vise-grip of terror and anguish we pray, let us serve as wise friends and steady mentors leading them to the throne of grace where all of us will find grace and mercy for our times of need. Let the wonders of Your salvation shine forth in all its brilliance. Amen.