These photos popped up on my "memories thing" on Facebook from two years ago. So much has changed in that time. I had just retired from the Air Force. We were just starting to work on getting the farm going by clearing trees and brush. We had a lot more snow. My beautiful wife was still by my side. It was a time of excitement and hard work and a hopefulness and a future.
Then the world was turned upside down.
We're sort of in a time like that right now. There's so much uncertainty and fear and anxiety. I mean, seriously...don't you worry about where you're going to get some TP?
OK, I joke because it helps lighten the moment.
But what we are facing is unprecedented, in our lifetimes at least. About 2500 years ago, the Israelites faced even worse uncertainty. They were faced with their nation being destroyed and being hauled off to become captives in foreign lands. Fear was way beyond what we are experiencing. It wasn't as though they didn't have any warning. God had been warning them over and over and over to stop worshipping the false gods that they chose over Him. He knew they wouldn't do it without intervention, so He allowed the nation to be wrecked. But even in that, He showed them mercy. He also gave them hope through Jeremiah when He told them:
'For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord , thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. '
Jeremiah 29:11-13 https://my.bible.com/bible/114/JER.29.11-13
Even though that word was for the Israelites...
God never changes.
'Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. '
Hebrews 13:8 https://my.bible.com/bible/114/HEB.13.8
Despite our trials and tragedies, fears and failures He is always there. He is good and merciful and loving. He has a plan for each one of us.
Jesus said:
"These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33 NKJV https://my.bible.com/bible/114/JHN.16.33.NKJV"
Don't put all your trust in the CDC, in the manufacturing prowess of Scott Tissue, or in social distancing. Don't hope in social justice, a revolution or a new vaccination.
Put your trust in Jesus, the only One who can actually do anything about anything: today, tomorrow and the day after that...to give you a future and a hope.
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