Guest writer today! My forever friend and sister-in-law, Sue Elkins, has an encouraging word from the Lord! Be blessed.
In times like these, we need a Savior
In times like these, we need an anchor
Be very sure, Be very sure
Your Anchor Holds and Grips the Solid Rock
This Rock is Jesus, Yes He’s the one
This Rock is Jesus, the only one
Be very sure, Be very sure
Your Anchor holds and Grips the Solid Rock
How many times have we read about the bondage of the Israelites in Egypt or thought about the trials of Job? We never thought anything close to that could ever come to our world. Who would have imagined, in this day and age, that a plague could hit not just the United States, but our WHOLE WORLD!
Now, many of us have either lost loved ones, friends or acquaintances or we know someone who has. It is just unfathomable that we have been closed up in our homes now for months with more still to come. No family gatherings, no going out to dinner, no friends over for parties, and NO CHURCH!
For many of us, weekly church has been our lifeline for years. It was where we received our strength. We were closer to that church family than we are to some of our own family. They encouraged us, we worshiped together, we laughed and cried together through many things and now they are GONE! What will we do? Perhaps that question is exactly what God wants us to ask ourselves:
What will I do?
Have we become too dependent on others for our relationship with Jesus?
Can we stand alone in the midst of a storm if we have to?
Do we feel strong in our prayer life and studying of God’s word that we can feed ourselves?
“Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me; thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy right hand shall save me.” Psalm 138:7
Some of us have been preparing ourselves for years for storms we didn’t know would come or how they would come.
So…
How are YOU doing in this storm?
I have always tried to have daily devotions and time with Jesus, but I must confess that I haven’t always understood how IMPORTANT that time was. These past few months have truly awakened me to how much I need to pay attention when I am in His presence.
I need to listen, so He can talk.
I need the strength, guidance and wisdom from His word.
I need this time with Jesus so much now, but really haven’t I always?
The enemy would like to take this difficult time and destroy our faith, our foundation, and our relationships; but if we lean upon the power, the Right Hand of God, to sustain us during this time, we will come out victorious!!
“The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.” Psalm 28:7
I’ve always loved to sing. A catchy tune can be in my head for days. I would find myself singing stupid little songs while cooking, cleaning, walking on the treadmill, but some of those catchy little tunes weren’t for any good edification.
I stopped listening to anything but Christian music in my car years ago because I didn’t want those lyrics in my head; but sometimes tunes from way back just drop in your mind and you are singing them without thinking:
“All my ex’s live in Texas”
“She wore an itsy, bitsy, teeny, weeny, yellow polka dot bikini”
“Soup and sandwich, soup and sandwich, go together like a horse and carriage”
Where does this stuff come from? Well, what is our mind tuned to?
Of late, I have found myself singing songs of Zion, tunes of refreshment to my soul!
“Because He Lives, I can face tomorrow”
“I know the Peace Speaker, I know Him by name”
“When my heart is overwhelmed, lead me to The Rock”
“Waymaker, Miracle Worker, Promise Keeper, Light in the Darkness”
Is that because my mind is focused on something more than this life, but eternal life? The Lord is my strength and I have always trusted in Him. He has been there so many times for me, why would I doubt that He will be there for me now? He is leading, has always been leading, and my heart must trust in that and rejoice!
“They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary; and they shall walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31
Waiting is so hard. Israel waited for deliverance from Egypt, Job waited for his troubles to pass, we can wait…..and while we are waiting He will RENEW our strength!
We will build up our faith.
We will worship together via our online services.
We will encourage each other by social media.
We will sing songs of Zion in our homes.
We will pray more, read more and then we will….
MOUNT UP WITH WINGS AS EAGLES as we join together once more in our places of worship and we will not grow weary and we will not faint!
We will stand stronger against the enemy. Lord, let us not forget this time and fall back into our old routines. You have brought us out of the wilderness, PLEASE do not let us forget!!!
“Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of the salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.” Psalm 51:10-13
Create, renew, restore, uphold……O God, let me cleanse my heart so that You can renew that right spirit. Let Your presence and spirit restore in me the joy of Your ways and uphold me in the Holy Ghost, which was so freely given to me, that I may teach and reach those who are weak and those who have never known Your precious love!
REVIVAL is coming….first to us as individuals, then to the Church as a whole. Be ready. Be prepared. Be a part of it all.
God Bless You All and Let’s Have Revival! 
Sue Elkins is a former pastor’s wife, mother and super proud grandmother of four. Recently retired from 35+ years in real estate, she spends her days, before quarantine, burning up the highways to visit Roarke, Everly, Miller and Avery Kate and never passes up a road trip with her best friend and husband, Dexter.
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