Our ladies' Bible study has been going through the minor prophets this semester, and our number one focus has been on the character of God. One of our tasks was to keep a running list of the character traits and attributes we see of God as we work our way through these little treasures, and what I have learned has been anchoring for me. I mean, seeing God's faithfulness and mercy would always encourage and inspire me, but these traits take on a new significance as we face a daunting present and uncertain future.
The following is a letter I wrote to the ladies in my Bible study, and I thought it might encourage you, too. I don't share it because I think what I've said is so life-changingly profound, but because I believe it's true, and if it is, then it makes all the difference in the world. I just wanted to show you the solid ground on which I'm standing, and invite you to stand here with me, anchored to "the LORD, the LORD [who] is the Rock eternal."
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Ladies, in light the global Covid-19 pandemic, nationwide social
distancing, economic fluctuations, and toilet paper panic, I wanted to send a
note to remind you (and myself, to be honest) of what is true during this time of great uncertainty. I say all of this as someone whose natural tendency
is fear and panic, especially in times when things feel like they are
constantly shifting.
I have been so thankful for
the time we have spent studying the prophets together and discussing the
character of our God, because I have absolutely revisited those conversations
this week. They remind me of what has
been true and always will be true
of God. He was, He is, and He always will be.
He is God unchanging, and I personally need that reminder day by day,
moment by moment.
In all of the books we have studied, we have seen God’s full authority over nature - over the swarms of
locusts, the growth of crops, the thunderstorms and the rivers. In these books, we have seen God in authority
over all of mankind – over the drunkards, the priests, the
heathens, the faithful, and the kings. In these books, we have seen God high
above the “nests among the stars”, and low
enough to speak directly to Habakkuk’s doubt. We have seen God provide, protect, sustain, encourage, restore, and prove His faithfulness again and again.
My “Character of God” list from these books is far too long (praise God!) to
write it all here, but there are some character traits of which I especially
want to remind you today:
God is good – thoroughly, completely, purely good. In every way, in every action.
God is
sovereign – there is nothing
beyond His control. All nature, all people, all events, all time submits to His
ultimate authority.
God is
loving – He is gracious and compassionate, and His heart is toward His own.
I don’t know what to expect right now, and I
hate that. I don’t like feeling like the ground is constantly shifting beneath my feet. I don’t know how far the virus will spread, I can’t guarantee your safety or even the safety of my own family. I have no idea if or when this all will subside
and what bones of the life we’re used to will be left. But I know that there is
no uncertainty for Him. I know that
there are no variables to Him. I know
that nothing is unsure, nothing is mysterious, nothing is unclear. What seems completely
uncontrolled to me, He holds in the palm of His hand, and for that I am
profoundly grateful.
And ladies, I know that God is
good, God is sovereign, and God is loving. I rest in that. “The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him.” (Nahum 1:7)
As we move forward into this valley of uncertainty and shadow, let us,
as women of God, stay close to the Shepherd and trust His voice. He leads us in His goodness, sovereignty, and
love. As we keep in step with Him, let’s not merely hide our faces timidly in His cloak and
wait for the darkness to pass. Let us
shine the light of hope in a dark and very
frightened world. Remember, friends,
that we are the people of God, the bearers of the hope of Christ! If we
lose heart, to whom will the world turn? As Jen Wilkin said in our 1 Peter
study, “It is not fitting for the people of God to be hopeless.” Press into Him, and let your light shine!
Quoting Habakkuk 2:4, the writer of Hebrews gave some encouragement and
instructions to the Christians who were facing trying times:
“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess,
for he who promised is faithful. And let
us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not
giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging
one another – and all the more as you see
the Day approaching. But my righteous
one will live by faith.” (Hebrews 10:23-25, 38a)
While we need to be creative right now as to what “meeting together” can look
like, let us consider how we may spur one another on in our faith.
So here are the things I would encourage each of us to do in this
uncertain season:
1 - Praise God
for who He is. Read, and read, and re-read your list of His attributes.
- Continue to
study His word. Spend more time
consuming the unchanging Word of God than the ever-changing news cycle.
- Look for
opportunities to shine the light of hope in the darkness. Who is lonely? Who is
afraid? Who needs help? Who needs hope?
Let us be women of faith, of hope, of love, and of submission to our
good God. I’m praying for peace and health, and contagious joy to flow through
each of our homes.
With so much love and so much hope,
Abby
