LESSONS FROM TROUBLED TIMES

INTRO

The last two weeks have brought about seismic changes into our lives in a way that most of us could have never imagined. Our normal rhythms have been upended by the challenge of a microscopic virus. Busy schedules and travel have been brought to a screeching halt as the world has been asked to live by a new routine of “social distancing.” Words like “Shelter in Place” are now are part of our daily vocabulary.

Last Friday, the newspaper Visalia Delta brought “Navigating the unknown”;

While we try to adjust to this new norm, it’s not uncommon to see hearts troubled. Nevertheless, in this season we turn our hearts to the Lord, and trust in God to be our guide.

We are, indeed, living unusual times.

In the midst of all these uncertainties, changes in lifestyle, worries and preoccupations, fear rises.

However, I want to invite you today to go with me through a different route, to the source of all consolation, to the fountain of every hope and confidence, to the beacon of all truth and comfort; today, I invite you to turn your eyes to THE ETERNAL WORD OF GOD!

I want to invite you today to go to the source of all consolation, to the fountain of all hope and confidence, to the beacon of all truth and comfort; today, I invite you to turn your eyes to the Word of God!

MAIN TEXT

Psalm 112:6–8 NLT

6 Such people will not be overcome by evil. Those who are righteous will be long remembered. 7 They do not fear bad news; they confidently trust the Lord to care for them. 8 They are confident and fearless and can face their foes triumphantly.

psalm 112:6-8

We can extract several principles and lessons from this Psalm, but I would like to highlight at least 3 lessons we learn here, which I call:

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LESSONS FROM TROUBLED TIMES.

1. WE ARE VULNERABLE

It is unquestionable and undeniable that in times like these, arrogance gives place to humbleness, hearts full with pride succumb to the feeling of impotence , selfishness gives birth to unity and the busyness of our lives reserves room to reflexion and realization of how our world can change quickly and drastically in a matter of a few days, days where everything screams loud and clear how we really depend upon the Lord for everything, including our own lives.

In such times, we think on what the apostle James says in the 4th chapter of his Epistle:

James 4:14 NLT

14 How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone.

The truth is, we are but a vapor.

The world says we are giants, fearless, but indeed, we are absolutely dependent on God’s favor, mercy and love. We are physically, emotionally and spiritually weak, and the more we acknowledge that, the better.

‘/ spiritually weak, and the more we acknowledge that, the better.

We are vulnerable.

Illustration

Illustration

French biologist Louis Pasteur is reported to have had such an irrational fear of dirt and infection he refused to shake hands. President and Mrs. Benjamin Harrison were so intimidated by the newfangled electricity installed in the White House they didn't dare touch the switches. If there were no servants around to turn off the lights when the Harrisons went to bed, they slept with them on.

- It’s far from me to use this message as a herald of times of devastation and prophetic catastrophes, nevertheless, we must remind ourselves that we absolutely depend on God’s favor to deliver us, on His mercy to save us, and on His love to keep us. We have to humbly acknowledge and admit what the Scriptures says:

John 15:4 NKJV

4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.

John 15:5 NKJV

5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.

- Far from using these times to start the preaching of the devastation and prophetic catastrophes, nevertheless, we must remind ourselves that we absolutely depend on God’s

The second lesson is:

2. GOD IS STILL ON THE THRONE

History does not control God, God controls history! God is the Creator, the keeper of the universe, and there is nothing that escapes His sovereignty, His will and His power.

We are ambassadors of His Kingdom. The Lord will use Authorities and Government Agencies, He will use His people, He will use the church, He can use you!

Like it was said in the beginning, for us, these are unknown waters we are navigating, but the Lord God Almighty has the absolute control, He has everything mapped out, and He has good plans for us! He says:

Jeremiah 29:11 NLT

11 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

Also, the Lord of the universe chooses to move through prayers!

2 Chronicles 7:14 NKJV

14 if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

2 chron 7:14

This is the time to keep seeking Him through prayer, and recognize that He who sits on the throne is in absolute control!

The third and final lesson is:

3. WE CAN CAST ALL OUR FEAR ON THE LORD

The text we read has 3 very important lessons, let’s read it again:

The text we read has 3 very important lessons:

Psalm 112:6–8 NLT

6 Such people will not be overcome by evil. Those who are righteous will be long remembered. 7 They do not fear bad news; they confidently trust the Lord to care for them. 8 They are confident and fearless and can face their foes triumphantly.

Let’s concentrate in some important truths here:

A. We do not fear bad news

Bad news started since the fall of men in the Garden of Eden. If we decide to live our lives in fear every time bad news occur, we will not live at all.

We are NOT going on a collision course, we are waiting on the Lord and fighting!

Illustration

It is said that the Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin so feared for his safety that his residence in Moscow contained eight bedrooms. Each night Stalin chose a bedroom at random to ensure that no one knew exactly where he was sleeping.

We will be cautious, but not living only on bad news.

Another truth in the text:

B. We trust the Lord

. Two of the expressions we have heard the most lately are “we are in uncharted territory”, and “these are unprecedented events”;

. Last Friday, the newspaper Visalia Delta Times, from Visalia, CA showed the following headlines: “Navigating the unknown”;

We are, indeed, living unusual times. But we can TRUST in the Lord!

And people say, “I want to trust the Lord, but HOW???”

The answer is for this question is not a complicated theological formula, it’s not something you can find on the shelves of the supermarket, it’s not hidden on the pages of a best-seller either, it doesn’t depend on human efforts, the answer of how to trust in the Lord is a matter of FAITH!

1 Peter 5:7 NKJV

7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

1 peter 5:7

1 Peter 5:6 NKJV

6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time,

Another truth in the text:

C. We face our enemies triumphantly

Three days ago, the Governor of California, Gavin Newsom, when announcing the strategy for the battle against the Coronavirus Crisis, said: “ We are meeting this virus head on!” (Frankly, there is no other way to face an enemy in battle).

Coronavirus is the enemy right now. We cannot deny its devastation and all pain it has brought to several countries, including the United States, but our eyes are upon the Lord! The prophet Nahum says that “the Lord has His way in the whirlwind and in the storm”.

His word He says

The same prophet also declares in his book:

Nahum 1:3 NKJV

3 The Lord is slow to anger and great in power, And will not at all acquit the wicked. The Lord has His way In the whirlwind and in the storm, And the clouds are the dust of His feet.

Nahum 1:7 NLT

7 The Lord is good, a strong refuge when trouble comes. He is close to those who trust in him.

It’s noteworthy that the Psalm we read doesn’t say “we hide from our enemy”, it doesn’t say “we withdraw our weapons”, but it says: “we face our enemy!”

Let’s keep fighting, let us not capitulate, we shall not surrender, because above all this uncertainty, abides the promise of God: “We can face our enemies triumphantly!”

FINAL APPLICATIONS

A. W. Tozer said “a scared world needs a fearless church”.

This is an opportunity to serve our neighbor, to love those in need and to show the message of the Gospel that can make people really free.

Let’s remember: We are people of faith, not of fear!

Let us believe in what the Lord declares in His eternal and unfailing word:

Isaiah 41:10 NLT

10 Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.

Psalm 55:22 NLT

22 Give your burdens to the Lord, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.

Let’s spread trust, let us exchange faith, let’s pass on solidarity, let’s disseminate hope in the Lord!

Psalm 55:22nlt NLT

22 Give your burdens to the Lord, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.

May the Lord God Almighty protect us, may He keep us safe with our families, may He bless all the Government Agencies and health professionals battling this disease, and may He grant us the serenity to pass through this storm with the confidence that everything is under His control.

LET’S PRAY.