He Does

Today’s Devotional - April 1, 2020

This is a series of messages from the time of isolation during the COVID19 Response in Oregon, United States. 

You may be feeling the toll of headlines. Recent news indicates our coronavirus journey has a way to go yet. You may find yourself bumping into the edges of your own emotional margin now that we are a few weeks into this new season.

I’ll offer two points of perspective. The little perspective and the big perspective. Neither of which you can get from the news. 

The little perspective. Right now, I’m not aware of a local family with members who are very ill. Our friend Audrey is recovering as is her son-in-law Steve. Phillip North is feeling better. (To our knowledge, none of them had coronavirus) There are reports of positive tests for COVID 19 in our area, but I haven’t heard of anyone that is super ill. The reality is that, right now, you’re not sick. In the middle of this real concern, you are surrounded by healthy people. 

The big perspective. For those who are in Christ, we have a sure hope and foundation that’s not in this world. The bobbles of the world remind us that we serve a King who is preparing an eternal, better, place for us. Except our relationship with the Lord and our relationships with each other, everything we know here is temporary. Our mission, here is to be disciples of Jesus and to make more disciples of Jesus. This is your present, but not your future. 

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns. - Psalm 46:1-5

Opportunities are rising for all of us. So far, we’ve started conversations with people around us. We’ve practiced new ways of connecting. We’ve been reminded that we are made for community and we look forward to getting to have normal gatherings again. 

When margin wears thin, we must look further back into our pantry. We must draw a little more from our relationships. We must reach a little deeper into ourselves… and we press a little further into faith. 

This is the place we measure the depth of our wells. There will be points of discomfort. We might pull up mud instead of fresh water. Choose to experience this as the helpful life-test that it is. See where you want to be stronger and go deeper. Notice the wells in your life that haven’t been drawn from in a while.

Today, ask yourself some questions… and then talk to Jesus about what you discover. What am I feeling today? What is heavy to me? Over the last two years, what do I wish I’d been doing to be more ready for today? Jesus, what do you think about these things? Lord, do you really have my life in your hands?

Hint: He does. 

Today’s Song: It Is Well with My Soul

Arranged by David Wise and recorded on cell phones by Nashville vocalists.

Here are the original Lyrics for this hymn

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well with my soul.

Refrain:
It is well with my soul,
It is well, it is well with my soul.


Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

My sin—oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!—
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:
If Jordan above me shall roll,
No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life
Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.

But, Lord, ’tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,
The sky, not the grave, is our goal;
Oh, trump of the angel! Oh, voice of the Lord!
Blessed hope, blessed rest of my soul!

And Lord, haste the day when the faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.