A Lent of Greater Faith

As you will no doubt be aware, the recent covid-19 outbreak has changed everyone’s lives to a greater and a lesser extent. As a church we know that many members of our family will be self-isolating, working from home, or practicing social distancing over the coming weeks. We are hoping that through a series of blogs we can encourage you, and others who might be reading these blogs, to fix your eyes on Jesus, and respond to the crisis in a way which honours his will for our lives.

I didn’t plan to write this blog.

I began writing a piece for Lent about us not just focussing on what we are giving up, but also asking ourselves what we are taking on this Lent - what challenges, changes, crosses and contributions we’ll be taking on to serve our households, church family, community and God.

But then COVID-19 happened.  

And as I wrote this new blog, I think God brought me back to the same place. 

Our prayer and God’s protection

During such testing times as these, I’ve found it helpful to listen to on-line bible studies, encouraging us to pray with confidence, exercising our faith and trusting God like never before.  We don’t know what the future holds for us, but we know a God who does.  

The Psalms provide powerful words of faith as well as heart-felt cries to God.  In the face of current public health crisis Psalm 91 is perfect, particularly because it calls upon the Lord for protection over pestilence and I highly recommend that we take those promises and incorporate them into our prayers for ourselves, family, friends & neighbours.

We are not immune, it’s true, but God makes all things possible. If Christ can raise the dead, if the Apostles can cast out demons, if my faith can move mountains, then our God through the Holy Spirit, in the Name of Jesus, can protect us.

Fear or faith 

Jesus was very clear: “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you” (Matthew 7:7).  So, now, as never before, ask, seek, knock – be persistent in prayer with faith in God, who stands with us.  

Now, spiritual faith can work with practical common sense, so yes, we take precautions, we are careful to not socialise, we wash our hands, we follow government and health guidelines, but we do it with faith not fear – that’s the difference! “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7).

A Lent of greater faith

So how does this relate to what we give up for Lent and what we take on for Lent? Well, I say that we let go of fear and take on even greater faith. I advise prayer over panic, declaring life over accepting death. Choose to live in truth rather than live overwhelmed by the daily news. 

People may well continue to fall ill – fact.  The truth is that God is with us in times of trouble, He delivers us and honours us. With long life He will satisfy us and show us His salvation (Psalm 91).  

Daily life has been thrown off course – fact. The truth is that we have life from someone who is life (John 11:25).

It is evident in the Bible that our God is incredibly intentional; everything serves a purpose, there is a plan and His timing is unique, critical and perfect, whether we understand it or not. He is faithful! So let us be too.  Let us sing Hosanna on Palm Sunday, sing thanks to Christ on Good Friday and raise the roof with the Holy Spirit come Easter Sunday - without fear, but with courage, love and truth.  

The cross came before the crown and I hope that we all feel encouraged at this time, and at all times, because though there may be weeping in the night, rejoicing comes in the morning (Psalm 30) and God will make our cause shine like the noon day sun (Psalm 37) – God’s words, not mine.

Lent’s soundtrack

If this blog had a soundtrack, it would feature:

Now, let’s end with some hashtags shall we… it’s a blog after-all

#FaithOverFear 

#PrayerNotPanic 

#YesAndAmen

Peace be with you & God bless you,

Pamela