Encouragement for the Spiritually Weary

 

By Dr. Ken Matto

 

Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.  (Isaiah 43:19)

 

Today I was coming home from the bank and came through the rural sections to get back home.  As I was driving along I was noticing that many trees are in bloom, the buds are on the trees and the blossoms are coming into full bloom.  As I was pondering those trees bringing forth life, it caused me to realize that so many Christians have lost hope during this time of the Corona virus and they don’t have to.

 

In the midst of this pandemic the blooming trees reminded me of the fact that God is once again bringing life back into the creation as the trees bring forth their beauty in multi-colored blossoms.  The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose.  (Isaiah 35:1)  Right now we are in a desert place and God promises that the solitary place and the desert will blossom as roses.  Many in the USA are required to stay home, in a solitary place, and many are living alone making them solitary but the same God that has created the new life in the creation right now, can cause you to blossom with new life right where you are, even if you have been saved for 40 years.  There is no need to look at the circumstances but look to the God who is in control of the circumstances.

 

About 1982 a Christian singer appeared at the church I was attending and his name was Lloyd Thogmartin who is still on YouTube today.  He had a mirror for sale at his promotional table with a saying “Bloom Where you are Planted.”  Right now the majority of us are in a solitary place and if we bloom where we are planted then we will blossom in our Christian life with a rejuvenated fervor.  This is also a testimony to our neighbors that we will walk in the light of the Lord and his promises and not in the fear mongering that Satan’s representatives are fostering upon this world.  This is not to say that we do not take the proper precautions because we do since the real us are wrapped in a human body which is susceptible to the diseases of the world.  It is time for us to put down the phones for a while and pick up the Scriptures.

 

In 1942 Frank Loesser penned a battle song entitled “Praise the Lord and Pass the Ammunition.”  Well, we Christians also have a battle song and it was written by Martin Luther entitled “A Mighty Fortress is our God.”  “A Bulwark Never Failing” is the second line.  How many know what a bulwark is?  Many times we sing hymns for many years without knowing what some of the words mean.  A bulwark is a “fortress, protection, defense, barrier, buffer.”  Here is the YouTube link for the hymn "A Mighty Fortress is our God" with lyrics:

 

In that day shall this song be sung in the land of Judah; We have a strong city; salvation will God appoint for walls and bulwarks.  (Isaiah 26:1)  Here we have a strong salvation verse where God will appoint salvation, which is by grace through Christ, as the bulwark and wall which will be for the eternal protection of the Christian.  Notice in the hymn Luther states that God as our bulwark will NEVER fail.  If a Christian gets the virus, it is not that God has failed but his will for that brother or sister is being fulfilled.  He may take them home because their work here is done or he may heal them according to his will and they will continue to testify of his mercy during a dark time.    “Gone Home” by the Hee Haw Gospel Quartet

 

Here the roses fade because they are seasonal but as a Christian we look forward to going to a place where the roses never fade.  Place all your Cares on the Lord and believe me he can take it and he is more than willing to give you peace in a time of much anxiety.  Where the Roses Never Fade

 

{6} Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.  {7} And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.  (Philippians 4:6-7) 

 

Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.  (1 Peter 5:7)

 

Casting - Throw or place upon

Care - Concerns or anxieties

Careth - To be an object of care or thought

 

These are not just verses for others but they are for YOU!                    4/8/20

 

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