Psalm 30:5 NLT “For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime! Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning.”

We all know times when we have felt like being in a dark tunnel. Times of loss, sickness, despair, lack, and unfulfilled expectations. It feels that in that place in time there is no way out. But that is the time you should have an unrelenting hope that the dawn will come. Sometimes, things get worse before they get better. The light at the end of the tunnel is not always visible, but that does not mean it is not there. You do not give up. You cling to the promises of the Bible. God can and God will lead you out of the pit. Nothing is a surprise to God.
Nothing is unknown to God. Nothing is hidden from God. Rick Warren states ”What gives me the most hope every day is God’s grace; knowing that his grace is going to give me the strength for whatever I face, knowing that nothing is a surprise to God.”  You can rest assured that God is in control and will lead you into the light, into the future full of hope. Sometimes your worst enemy is your perspective. If you focus on God’s promises rather than the darkness, the discomfort, and the suggestions of Satan, you will see light at the end of the tunnel.  No matter what is going on in your life: Do not worry! God has the last word. Hold on to the promises of the Bible and believe that there really is light at the end of the tunnel!

Psalm 91:10 “There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.”

We live in a world where dangers lurk in every corner generating fear and anxiety of what might happen to us and our loved ones. We are dealing with unheard of sickness, disease, and even the current COVID-19 pandemic that make people sick and put them in the hospital. These dangers are real. I do not make light of them. But God’s promises of protection for us against those dangers are much more real. The question is, whose report do we believe? Scripture says, “No plague shall come nigh thy dwelling.” This means that God can put a shield of protection around us despite the worst of circumstance. Scripture says, “He does not slumber nor sleep” (Psalm 121:3). The entire Psalm 91 assures us of God’s all-round protection as we dwell in His secret place.  “A thousand shall fall at your side and 10,000 at your right hand, but it shall not come nigh thee” (Psalm 91:7). It is important that we know these scriptures and firmly stand on them by believing and confessing them. However, I want to encourage you during this Covid-19 pandemic. Do not put yourself in harm’s way, use Godly wisdom, follow instructions, do not temp the Lord your God, but do trust God. Spend time meditating in Scripture and praying. Allow the Holy Spirit to remove fear from your heart and replace it with God’s exceeding peace.

Romans 12:2 “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

We are ambassadors for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20).  That is a high calling. That is a great responsibility. God calls us to a higher standard because He calls us to be like Christ and to put Him first in our lives. Our Lord is counting on us to be His worthy ambassadors: sharing the light of Christ to the dark world (Matthew 5:14); living out the life of Christ on a daily basis (Galatians 2:20); and sharing the love of Christ (Romans 5:5). God expects us to walk in the Spirit and to not fulfill the lust of the flesh (Galatians 5:16). Let us shun the works of the flesh (Galatians 5:19-21) and embrace the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). Worthy ambassadors of Christ, I want to encourage you today to put off the old man and put on the new man (Ephesians 4:22-25). Let people of the world see the resurrected Christ in us. You are a vessel of honor (2 Timothy 2:20). Act like one!