FAITH BIBLE CHURCH SPECIAL SERVICES
Pastor Jim Barber
PS – the following letter I wrote on March 12, 2020 and I read it in the service of Sunday morning, March 15, 2020. May it be a blessing to you.
In Luke 21:26, Jesus speaks of “men fainting from fear and the expectation of the things which are coming upon the world.” You do not need any lengthy comment from me that this is what we are witnessing in our world even today. In January, as I was making my way from Canada to two ministers’ conferences, I transferred through the immense Hong Kong airport twice. I had been through that airport on prior trips and took no special notice of the face masks being worn or the news of a strange new sickness. But since that time the worldwide concerns have escalated and unheard of measures are being taken to seek to halt the further spread of COVID-19.
What is to be the stance of the Child of God? Certainly, we are to be, as Jesus said in Matthew 10:16, “wise as serpents and harmless as doves.” That is, we use the brains God has given us and we receive the helpful instruction of others for our own good and for the protection of those about us. But I would especially wish to zero in on the fear which is so eager to grip us in these days. The Bible repeatedly instructs believers to stand against fear’s terror with words just as these:
“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God:
I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee;
yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.”
“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.”
“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear;
but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”
“Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.”
“Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.”
“Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.”*
I greatly love the hymn “Be strong in the Lord and be of good courage, your mighty Defender is always the same. Mount up with wings, as the eagle ascending; victory is sure when you call on His name.” May you find rich comfort and strength as you call on the blessed and sweet Name of Jesus Christ – our mighty Defender and the great Shepherd of the sheep. Hear this most pointedly again – “HE CARETH FOR YOU!”
*Isaiah 41:10, Psalm 23:4, 2 Timothy 1:7, Deuteronomy 31:6, John 14:1, 1 Peter 5:7