Psalm 9:9-10

The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, A refuge in times of trouble. And those who know Your name will put their trust in You; For You, LORD, have not forsaken those who seek You.

If we Christians did not sometimes suffer, we would begin to grow too proud and think too much of ourselves. Those of us who are elastic of spirit and are in health and full of everything that can make life happy, we are apt to forget the Most High God. Lest we would be satisfied and forget that all our springs must be in Him, the Lord sometimes seems to sap the spring of life. He seems to drain the heart of all its spirit and leave us without soul or strength for laughter. It is then that we discover what we are made of, and out of the depths we cry to God, humbled by our adversities.

In heaviness, we learn lessons that we never could attain elsewhere. Do you know that God has beauties for every part of the world and for every place of experience? There are views from the top of the Alps that  you can never see elsewhere. There are beauties in the depths of the alley that you could never see on the mountaintops. But there are also beauties to be seen in our Gethsemanes, and some marvelously sweet flowers are to be picked near the dens of leopards. We will never become great in divinity until we become great in suffering.

“Ah!” said Luther, “Affliction is the best book in my library.” May I add that the best page in that book is the blackest one, the page called heaviness, when the spirit sinks within us and we cannot endure as we would wish.

Those who have been in the chamber of affliction know how to comfort those who are there. God – I speak with reverence for His Holy Name – cannot make ministers, cannot make a Barnabas, except in the fire. It is there and there alone that He makes His sons of consolation. He may make His sons of thunder anywhere, but His sons of consolation are made in the fire. Who shall speak to those whose hearts are broken? Who shall bind up their wounds? Those whose hearts have been broken, whose wounds have long run with the sore of grief.

— C.H. Spurgeon, Beside Still Waters

COVID-19 Crisis Prayer – Pastor Mike

Today’s Prayer

Psalm 67
Today’s Subject: Peace

God’s Way: Jesus said; Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you: not as the world do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled neither let it be afraid. John 14:27

Pray that as we face this pandemic, we are more aware than ever that we are not alone and Jesus is in us, the hope of glory. Pray that we would stay in constant fellowship with our Savior and grow deeper in our relationship with Him. Pray that we would not be fearful or troubled by the events that are all around us but that we would experience and exhibit the supernatural peace that is a gift from God. Pray that we would endeavor to be peacemakers.  Pray that during this time we would not be distracted from God’s love for us, but instead drive us closer and deeper understanding Him who is Love.  Pray we will live in His peace by trusting in Him and not ourselves.

God’s Salvation:   Prayer and thanksgiving that our peace is provided by Jesus Christ.  At the birth of Jesus, the angels proclaimed that the peace of God had come to earth.  Through His death, burial, and resurrection, we are afforded peace with God.  Pray that many would trust Jesus and know His peace as their Lord and Savior in the midst of this crisis. Pray for all believers to experience the peace of God that surpasses understanding. Pray that we may be light to our communities. Pray that we would be aware of those around us and in our circle of influence that don’t know Jesus and how frightening this may be for them. Pray that we have opportunity, wisdom and boldness to share with them our source of peace. Pray that they would want to know and except Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Pray that through this experience we all come out with a greater knowledge of who Christ is. 

God’s Praise: Pray that we would give Him praise knowing His mercy endures forever.  Thank You Lord for Your wonderful gift of peace. Praise God for the Holy Spirit that dwells within us and never leaves us. Praise God for the great love and compassion He has for all of us. Praise Him for His watch and care over the whole world and His sovereign power to direct our paths and to lead us out of this pandemic. Praise God for the plans that He has and His ability to take what was meant for evil and to bring good from it.

“God be merciful to us and bless us, and cause His face to shine upon us, that Your Way may be known on earth, Your Salvation among the nations.  Let the peoples praise You, O God; Let all the peoples praise You” Psalm 67: 1-3