We humans have been facing epidemics since time immemorial. As these global blights go, the present case – COVID-19 – isn’t close to the worst. The Black Death in the 14th century killed roughly a fourth of the humans on earth – today that would be about 2 billion people! In 1918, the year my
Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; For the LORD GOD is my strength and song, And He has become my salvation. Isaiah 12.2 Looking into the (still) future, the prophet Isaiah saw a distant day when, after long judgment for her sin, Israel is restored in a
Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16 Having a ‘high priest’ may seem strange to you, but we have one – Jesus! That’s what the author of Hebrews is talking about in
He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” Mark 4:39-40 This is one of the favorite stories for children from the
Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:6-7 The first-century Christians Peter addressed in First Peter faced withering persecution. Living a faithful life led them to live changed
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10 To a nation reeling from the Great Depression and facing an uncertain future, President Franklin Roosevelt in his
Old Testament prophecy is filled with references to “that day” – a ‘shorthand’ way the prophets referred to the coming time when God will write the final chapter in the history of this fallen world. The prophecies include details of great judgment and wrath (Amos 5.18-20; Isaiah 13.6-13; Zephaniah 1.14-15), and wonderful blessing and joy
A couple of months ago we all watched the news with amusement as reports of a virus in a city in China called Wuhan first surfaced. It was half a world away, and while it might be wreaking havoc there, we were safe. How wrong we were. The invisible (to the naked eye) virus has
Enemy-occupied territory – that is what this world is. Christianity is the story of how the rightful king has landed, you might say in disguise, and is calling us all to take part in a great campaign of sabotage. When you go to church you are really listening-in to the secret wireless from our friends: that is why
Recently, I came across some suggestions – words to live by – written by Clyde Kilby. Kilby was a professor of English at Wheaton College for more than 45 years, and authored The Christian World of C. S. Lewis, regarded as one of the best introductions to Lewis’s writings. Like Lewis, Kilby cut through the
