The joy of the Lord is our strength. I'm sure if you're feeling panicky
and fear, there's not a lot of joy in your heart. The scripture
assures us so many, many times that we're not to be afraid.
The Lord tells us, be not afraid, little flock. The apostle Paul
in the book of Romans said, we joy in God. I, as a believer
in the Lord Jesus Christ, and knowing that I have been justified
in his sight, that there's no condemnation, no judgment that's
awaiting me, that he has ordained and predetermined and is working
for my good, and that nothing can separate me from the love
of God, which is in Christ Jesus, I have a lot of peace. The scripture
says in Psalm 14 that the fool has said in his heart, no God
for me. I don't want a God. There's no
God rules over me. I'm the captain of my own ship.
Well, I want you to take notice, if that's your state, that there's
a tiny little virus that is going around the world and has brought
the world to its knees. I hope somebody's in charge of
that, and I believe there is one who's in charge, and he knows
what's happening down here, and he's working for the good of
his people. I know him, and he knows me, and we're going to
get through this. There is a God. There is a mighty
God. There is a creating God, the
God who said, let there be light. And it was true. He's your God. That ought to bring a sense of
peace, that you have a God who is almighty. He is the creator. He created the heavens and the
earth, and he is holding the reins to this universe. This
God is a predestinating God. He is a God who predetermines
and brings to pass what he has predetermined. I'm glad that's
true. I know this, nothing can harm
me until that appointed time that God has made in his sovereignty
for me to go to be with him. How comforting it is to have
a mighty God. You know, I think of what Job
said he had lost his children, he had lost his cattle, he had
lost his health, and literally had lost his wife. And she said
to him, old man, just curse God and die. And here's what Job
said, and this is what we ought to be saying, and what we can
say, "'I know my Redeemer liveth, "'and though the skin worms destroy
this body, "'yet in my flesh shall I see God. "'I shall see
God for myself and not another.'" He watches over us. The truth
is many of you could have been stillborn, but you weren't because
God had loved you with an everlasting love and predetermined you to
salvation. And many of you had lost your
lives, maybe out there using in the world, using drugs, and
God came after you. He let you run as far as you
could run, and go as low as you could go. And you ended up in
a homeless shelter that had a church that preached the gospel of Jesus
Christ. And God, through that gospel,
called you to himself. and you have repented of your
sins, and you have believed on the Lord Jesus Christ. Now is
just such a great time for Christians to step up and be counted, and
to say with Job, I know my Redeemer liveth. I know whom I have believed
and am persuaded that he's able to keep that which I've committed
unto him against that day. I want to say to you, if you
have not believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, if you have not
come to him, if you have not raised the white flag and laid
the shotgun of rebellion down, now would be a good time for
you to do that. I'm going to leave this world
one day, but I'm persuaded and I know where I'm headed after
this life. Things only get better for the
Christian. Jesus said this, let not your
heart be troubled. You believe in God, believe also
in me. In my Father's house are many
mansions, many dwelling places. I go to prepare a place for you
that where I am, there you may be also. Let me encourage you. Put a smile on your face. Trust
Jesus Christ from the heart. Believe He is the Lord and Saviour
of poor sinners. And I guarantee you, this too
shall pass.