November 7 Rising Above the Circumstances Isaiah 26:3
Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” (Isaiah 26:3)
There is an uneasiness of minds, in our land, that creates troubling thoughts that permeate our lives. As I observe the issues of this day, with a human perspective, I am forced to recognize the Hand of Satan at work, in this world. When you look at the raw numbers, am I to believe that over half of the voters, in the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave, have voted for less freedom, more government controls, chaos, Emotion Driven-“If it feels good do it” mentality? Then it hit me…Not everyone, even if they claim some religious affiliation, think like me or believe like me or feel a sense of commitment to their, supposed, convictions. John 14:27 tells us that, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” The reality is clear; There is no peace, in this world, except that which comes from God. Before Jesus went to Calvary and would later ascend back to the Father, He told His disciples, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me” (John 14:1). Jesus knew their hearts; He knew they were deeply troubled about His coming death and then His leaving them. The trouble is, many people trust their feelings over trusting in God. What you feel may or may not be true, but that which Jesus says, always is. Isaiah writes that God will keep them in perfect peace, but it is conditional; this peace is for those whose mind is stayed on God. They have peace because they trust in Him. We already trust in a lot of things, every day that give us peace of mind, so we know that we can trust Him and His Word more than our feelings. Circumstances change; politicians come and go, however, the WORD OF GOD IS CONSTANT AND UNCHANGING! So, what are we to do in this Evil Loving, Hate Driven, Anti-God Environment? We are to Trust in God, Claim His Promises and Stay Faithful to Him, in Prayer, Witnessing, Studying, and in ATTITUDE. Believer, my Daddy used to preach a sermon called, ANCHOR DEEP, and that is the instruction for today’s environment: ANCHOR DEEP in HIS WORD! Things are going to change, Things are going to become challenging, Situations are going to defy Common Sense Reasoning, and the Environment of Chaos is only going to get worse, so, ANCHOR DEEP because, whether you recognize it or not, THE STORM IS COMING! You want PEACE? Again, John 14:27 tells us that, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” Stay Strong, Stay Focused…Remember, For the Follower of Christ---THE BEST IS ABSOLUTELY YET TO BE! ANCHOR DEEP!!!