As the Coronavirus hit us, I was reminded again how real God is when I received the same message from three separate sources disconnected from one another and on the same day. I often find the Trinity triangulates.
Philippians 4:6. (I grew up on RSV so it’s here in that translation, although usually I’m an NIV guy).
6 Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
7 And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
- Anxiety is real and common to our humanity.
- God’s response is: pray, ask and be thankful.
- We are given a gift: unknown supernatural peace.
This has led me to think about faith amidst anxiety and real events.
Often we await a perfect plan from God. We want the pathway ahead floodlit with an Eagle helicopter overhead. My experience is that God gives us a lantern. We get illumination down the dark path of life ONLY as we take another step forward.
This is Faith, a partnership, walking and trusting.
When trials come, this is the time for Faith. As I read the bible I discover ALL the examples of faith come out of –AMIDST– anxiety, fear, uncertainty. God is not disconnected.
• Elijah flees to Horeb/Sinai and hides in a cave afraid of Jezebel and is depressed.
The Queen and the State powers are on the warpath. All God’s prophets have been murdered.
• Jonah told his shipmates to throw him overboard
A huge storm; Nineveh will arise and become a great enemy of Israel.
• David is amidst war and trusts the flight of a pebble.
His brothers are disparaging of him. The entire Philistine army is arrayed opposite.
• Simeon held the baby Christ in his arms and was at peace.
The Romans control and oppress Israel.
Faith exists amidst anxiety and trial.
A few weeks back Tim shared about his archaeology in Israel. Some of you will know I am involved in archaeology in Israel too.
Here is a photo from biblical Gath (where David lived and feigned madness). Last season I excavated this square.
We uncovered the entrance and confirmed the watergate of Gath.
There is no doubt David, Goliath, Achish, Saladin all passed through this way and up the steps we uncovered. The brook at the back is the brook David took the pebbles from, to slay Goliath by faith.
John Stringer