Anyone else feel like the world is falling apart a little bit?
Tragedy upon tragedy. Grief upon grief.
The world has held its collective breath as we’ve watched communities torn apart--both locally and globally.
The pain is palpable.
We cannot help but be shaken by the malice and violence that is playing out on various stages around the world. Hatred seems to have a vise grip on sin-stained humanity.
A thief has come to “steal and kill and destroy” and we are afraid of what is next. Of who is next.
When everything seems to be going wrong, it’s hard not to give in to despair. It feels impossible to trust in God's faithfulness when we can't see where a good and loving God fits with our pain and fear.
Today, you might be afraid for your life or the life of someone you love. You may be feeling insecure financially, and wonder how you’re going to make ends meet. Perhaps your relationships are tenuous and insecure, or you feel completely alone. Maybe your hoped-for, prayed-for, dream feels just out of reach, and you wonder if it will ever happen at all.
Whatever you’re afraid of today, as a believer, you can find hope in this promise from Jesus:
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. John 10:10-11
While Satan hopes to destroy us, Jesus came to give us abundant life. That kind of life cannot be tarnished by sorrow and pain. It cannot be stolen by age and disease.
This abundant life doesn’t revolve around finite possessions or accomplishments: those cannot last. Abundant life is an eternity-oriented hope that is grounded in the Gospel. It is only accessible through the Good Shepherd, who laid down His life on our behalf.
When we’re overtaken by anxiety, we have to hold on to the truth that everything we have is a blessing: an undeserved gift from God. He doesn't owe us safety, security, or comfort. Based on our merit, we've earned only punishment from Him, but, instead, He graciously offers us freedom from sin and eternal life through Christ. That is the greatest blessing that cannot be taken from the believer, even when difficult circumstances strip away everything else we cherish.
When our lives are grounded in God’s faithfulness, we have nothing to fear. We belong to the Lord:
Know that the Lord, he is God!
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
Psalm 100:3
Doesn’t that just bring joy to your heart? As believers, we are His.
In spite of my failures and the utter mess that I make of my life every day, God claims me and says that I belong to Him. He knows us and welcomes all believers into his family through the cross.
Psalm 23
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
for his name's sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.
As His sheep, we can trust that Christ, our Good Shepherd, will lead us to safety along paths of righteousness for His own glory. When we are down in deep darkness, we have nothing to fear. Even when the Thief is lurking, hoping to crush us, we are comforted and protected by our God. He abundantly provides for us until our lives overflow with goodness and mercy from His hand. We are safe and secure, knowing that we are cherished in his presence, now and for eternity.
Praise God.
Respond
Have you been feeling anxious or fearful recently? How do you keep your heart grounded in the Gospel when it feels like the world is falling apart?
