Peace in Jesus Name!

The Lord Speaks at all times but especially in times when we are distressed and fearful

Our Lord gives us these words through the hand of King David in Psalm 18:

I love you, O LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies.

Martin Luther once wrote concerning the horrific conditions surrounding the plague:

“If Christ shed his blood for me and died for me, why should I not expose myself to some small dangers for his sake and disregard this feeble plague? If you can terrorize, Christ can strengthen me. If you can kill, Christ can give life. If you have poison in your fangs, Christ has far greater medicine. Should not my dear Christ, with his precepts, his kindness, and all his encouragement, be more important in my spirit than you, roguish devil, with your false terrors in my weak flesh? God forbid! Get away, devil. Here is Christ and here am I, his servant in this work. Let Christ prevail! Amen.” ~ Martin Luther, Luther’s Works, Vol. 43

These Words from the Holy Scriptures and Luther remind us of God’s strength amid great troubles that press upon us from every side. The devil fights against us but our Lord fights for us. The Lord will prevail. He is our constant guide – our rock and salvation. In these unsettling times, we rely on the comfort and peace that comes only from the kind of God that loves us so much that He gave His only begotten Son to die for our eternal life. We can be confident that our Great Physician of body and soul certainly won’t abandon us now.  Particularly because we know that:

“All things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose” (Rom. 8:28).

What Can You Do to Help?

While this is an evolving situation, one thing is clear: People suffer under isolation. Isolation from God and each other can create physical, emotional, and spiritual challenges. Our work as the Body of Christ is finding creative ways to keep people connected AND healthy. God grant us wisdom as we do this!

Pastor Jorge Groh