Be Still - Letter From Pastor Evan

Dear Praise Family,

I have had many conversations with people in the last weeks regarding the future of our country and how it is that Christians ought to live in times such as these (I couldn’t bring myself to write, “in these unprecedented times.” So, I didn’t.). I have had conversations with some that are curious about the End Times, and whether or not we are in them. I have had conversations with people who are concerned about the political climate of our country and the division that we are experiencing. I have had still other conversations with those who are anxious about physical, mental, and emotional trials that they or their families are experiencing too. And then there are people who keep talking about this Covid-19 thing…maybe you’re familiar with it?

All of these uncertainties, in themselves, are certainly cause for anxiety, but the combination of these cares (along with seemingly endless other cares of life!) can bring us to the point of being completely overwhelmed by our circumstances. When our uncertainties get the best of us, we can get into our fight or flight response, where either we come up with a plan within our power to fight our foes, or we maybe realize that our problems are too big for us and we run in fear. I’m sure there are many other solutions in between those as well!

Though there are many uncertainties that we may face, there is one Truth that remains. Christ is seated on His throne. The church is His bride and He will fight for her. Psalm 46 says, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear though the earth gives way, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling,” (Psalm 46:1-3). This Psalm ends with the declarations of verses 9 and 10 which say, “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations; I will be exalted in the earth! The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress,” (Psalm 46:10). A refuge and a fortress are where you hide from invading armies. It provides protection and security, even in the midst of a battle, though the very earth itself feels like it is being destroyed. Yet even then, Christ is our fortress, and the cross testifies that the victory is His!

In your life, you may be feeling like the battle is all around you…and it is!! This world is a battlefield and our battle is not “against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places,” (Ephesians 6:12). Yet Paul reminds us to “be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.” He is our fortress. In Him we find comfort and know that the victory belongs to Him!

Where will you go to find comfort today? Where will you turn in your moments of fear, anxiety, frustration or whatever it is you're feeling? Christ’s invitation is to run to Him and find refuge there. I pray that He will turn your eyes toward Him, that you may find rest in Him!

In Christ,
Pastor Evan