None of these disasters move me

Well, here we are in the middle of August. I am trying not to be negative however, between the heat and the positive COVID levels, August 2021 is looking very much like August 2020. In all situations, including topics, no pun intended, things are just plain heated.
So, today I feel the Lord reminding my heart in all areas, subjects and topics in life, I must do my best to make sure I do not react, but rather I respond in patience and grace.
It’s basic fundamental Christianity, but it certainly fits here: Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds us we are to trust in the Lord with all of our heart, and lean not on our own understanding.
I know what you are thinking; “Easier said than done!”
If that is your thought, you are right. There are times when I am trying to trust the Lord with all that is within me, and yet, my understanding, my thoughts, my opinions, my sarcasm and my reaction are leaning way on in there!
My goal is to be like Christ, however, when it comes to my flesh, He and I are nothing alike. What gives me peace when I lay my head down on my pillow at night is knowing I am closer to Jesus now than I was 30 years, 10 years, or even five years ago. I try to remind myself before I respond that God’s thoughts and my thoughts are not even close to being the same.
More than ever, we must abide in Jesus, who abides in us.
We are His and He is ours, yet may we not forget that He is in control and, we are not. Paul in Acts 20 was heading to Jerusalem. The Apostle Paul said he was compelled by the Holy Spirit to go there. In verse 22 Paul says, “ Though I am compelled by the Holy Spirit to go, I am going there knowing what will happen to me there.”
Paul goes on to write the Holy Spirit was warning him prison and hardships were facing him. In the same way, the Holy Spirit has been warning the Body of Christ of things that are to come.
Several of us are watching the economy, watching the Middle East, watching our own country, watching this current health crisis, and are very aware more hardships are right around the corner.
Nonetheless, Paul writes in verse 24 (KJV); “But none of these move me.”
Paul refuses to allow the apprehension of the future to deter him. Paul wrote his only aim was to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus had given him.
That task was to testify to the good news of God’s grace.
Likewise, we must do the same. It does not really matter what is around the corner in life, the good news of God’s grace remains the same.
In the 23 Psalm, David wrote; The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want (which means “I lack nothing.”)
We must remember if we have Jesus and He is our shepherd, it does not matter what the economy is like or what the health crisis looks like. We as the Children of God lack nothing.
We must trust God through the hardships. He continues, Though I walk through the Valley of the Shadow of Death I will fear no evil. Paul echoes what David says in Act 20:24; “None of these things move me.” Paul never hesitated to proclaim the will of God. God has not moved. He will remain faithful. The Lord will renew our strength when we wait on him. However, it is what we do with the waiting process that determines the outcome.
Instead of complaining, we must praise the Lord for all of the blessings he has bestowed upon us. Have a great week!
Dave Truncone is the pastor of First Assembly of God Church in Van Buren. He is married to Heidi and they have two daughters, Hannah, and Abigail. They live in Van Buren.