Watch, Stand, Be…Love
It’s hot and Saharan dust is swirling over many lands. Covid still abounds. Hate is marching in the streets. Do you, like me, find yourself sighing – a lot?
Man is not in control. We can’t control the weather. We can’t control pandemics. We can’t control the hearts of mankind. Yet the world each day wakes as though it can. With a big enough voice, control of the airwaves, enough money perpetrating actions – many think control can be grasped.
But that control is short-lived and then the next narrative comes along. Man fools itself. And until we surrender to God, who is in control, we will succumb to the next power grab and the next, endlessly. But there is hope: Jesus.
You might say, ‘Well if God is in control, why doesn’t He fix all this?’ Let’s go back to the beginning – choice. We were not created as robots. Everything that has happened for 6,000 years has been our doing. Fortunately, God does use all our messes for the good of those who love Him.
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28 NIV)
And nothing is a surprise or catches Him off-guard. Here’s where we are now, just as we were when Paul the Apostle wrote these words 2,000 years ago: “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. Do everything in love.” (1Corinthians 16:13-14 NIV)
There’s nothing new under the sun. There have been pandemics since we started devolving. There’s been social unrest since the first man used another for forced labor. There’s been destructive weather events since the flood.
So we keep our guard up, knowing the enemy of our souls doesn’t rest. We stand firm in the faith, trusting God. We summon up courage when we ask Jesus for His protection – no matter the outcome. We are strong, in our weakness, because we let Christ be our strength. Finally, when we do everything in love, we are shining a light and a hope which our world is in desperate need of.
Love doesn’t destroy a country – it helps it prosper. Love doesn’t hate a President – it prays for him. Love doesn’t cower in fear over disease – it nurses the sick and continues to go about life so that poverty doesn’t defeat it. That kind of love only can reign in a heart filled with the Holy Spirit.
parisrenae 
Great post, starting with all our questions and ending with hope if we would only love, love, love!
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That is so true – Jesus told us love covers a multitude of sins – and for that matter would keep a lot of them from happening in the first place
🙂 Blessings as you rest in His love and hope…
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Thank you for this very encouraging devotional. It helped calm, my soul. ❤️
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It is hard these days to not be anxious, to forget who wins in the end. So glad we have a promise that is forever and a Savior who sees us safely there.
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Encouraging…..thanks you for the reminders!!!
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It is hard to remember these things when the world is moving so fast and satan wants to deceive, yet He gives us the key – just…love.
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Yes, I do find myself sighing a lot as well. And sneezing and blowing noses too with the dust storm and blooming trees. But still, we are strong in our weakness because of Christ’s strength. Thanks for the encouraging words.
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He is mighty – in all our weakness He holds us up. Blessings, Lisa, as you feel His strength after each sigh…
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Paris, you said so much and said it so well in just a few words! I’ll be sharing your post. Blessings!
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Donna, thank you for the encouragement. Simple is God’s way with us, not easy – but simple. Just love… Blessings as you do so more and more 🙂
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Paris, thank you for these encouraging words that speak truth.
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Happy 4th of July – may you be blessed as you do all in love for the great love given you by Jesus! 🙂
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