FROM THE ELDERS

“…The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4: 5b-7

Check out the first phrase, the Lord is at Hand.  That word "hand" means near, nigh, ready, standing by.  What comfort that can give us as we are anxious and fearful.  God is standing by, ready to go, waiting for us to call on Him!

Doing a quick cross reference study on that word reveals even more encouragement from His Word:

“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all. He keeps all his bones; not one of them is broken. Affliction will slay the wicked, and those who hate the righteous will be condemned. The Lord redeems the life of his servants; none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned." Psalm 34:18-22

 “The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desire of those who fear him; he also hears their cry and saves them. The Lord preserves all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy.  My mouth will speak the praise of the Lord, and let all flesh bless his holy name forever and ever." Psalm 145:18-21

As we walk through these unprecedented days, let us cling to Him through His word.  Remember, He is near!  Pray these scriptures over your family.  Meditate and chew on them.  Do it out loud.  Pray back to the Father using His word!  Carry them around and proclaim them throughout your day!  He is near to us let us be near to Him!

What is God up to?  Could He be calling us to Himself by forcing us to call on Him?  He is calling His people to Himself and guess what, He is standing by, ready to go, nearby!

Church, as we practice Social Distancing, let’s not be isolated.  Reach out to each other.  Pray and seek God’s face.  Text, Email, phone each other. 

“Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God.” Psalm 42:11

With His Peace,
ABBC Elders