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         As a believer in Jesus Christ, we cling to Hebrews 13:5 “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” But that has not stopped us from stressing over the future.  In 1776, Thomas Paine wrote “The Crisis” in which he had a specific sentence that read “These are the times that try men’s souls”. No truer words have been spoken, for this is the time when every man’s soul is being tried.

         On Tuesday 9-11-2001, our fellow citizens stopped what they were doing and stood in disbelief. The most powerful nation in the world was under attack in our largest metropolitan city and thousands of human beings were murdered before our eyes for simply being American. Within hours, the nation experienced resurgences in public prayer and citizens were seeking GOD’S Help. Non-believers found themselves seeking something (or someone) to cling too. The nation was on their knees praying for GOD’s protection against terrorism and an unknown enemy. People were attending local sanctuaries for reassurance in numbers not seen since World War II. Believers were turning to the Lord for answers and recommitting themselves to GOD’S house. But sadly that resurgence didn’t last three months and America quickly went back to her worldly ways.

         In January 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared an international concern and by March 2020, COVID-19 was on everyone’s mind. Once again America was faced with an enemy they couldn’t see. Once again the call went out for public prayer; prayer for GOD’s Intervention against this unknown enemy, prayer for the medical profession fighting the enemy on the frontlines and prayer for GOD’s healing of those infected with this deadly enemy. However unlike 9/11 our local sanctuaries are closed and Christians find themselves restricted from gathering with their brothers and sisters in the house of worship. For the first time in our lives, we were forbidden from attending a worship service inside GOD’s house. Not just one rare Sunday or a Wednesday that happen to fall on a Holiday, but to date we have not physically assembled as a church in a month and it does not look like we will assemble for possibly another month.

         In Lamentations 3, the Prophet Jeremiah pens a poem of hope in the midst of affliction. In the first twenty verses, Jeremiah is describing GOD’S judgement on him for his sins, how he felt to be shut out from GOD and his sinking feeling in his soul. Yet in verse 21, Jeremiah is reminded that he still has the LORD’s love. Starting with verse 23, “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. 24 “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.” Lamentations 3:23-24 NKJV. That should be our new routine during these uncertain times; to wake up every morning thankful we are alive, to have faith in GOD’s steadfast love and mercy, and to commit our portion (our life) to the Lord.

         In verses 25 and 26, we are instructed to seek GOD, to be patient and to trust Him for a better future. In verse 27, Jeremiah tells that a good man is willing to be under GOD’S discipline and to learn what GOD wants to Teach. So how do we “bear the yoke”?  You need only continue reading Lamentations 3:28-32 to learn these four key exercises:

1. Meditate v.28 – Sit quietly alone, slow your breathing and focus on what GOD has laid on your heart.

Romans 12:2 2  “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

Psalm 19: 14 “May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.”

Proverbs 23:26 “My son, give me your heart, And let your eyes observe my ways.”

2. Humble Yourself v.29 – Don’t focus on your own concerns, but look for the concerns of others.

James 4:10 “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.”

Proverbs 22:4 “Humility is the fear of the Lord; its wages are riches and honor and life.”

1 Peter 5:6 “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.”

3. Use Self-Control v.30 – In the face of adversity, be willing to submit yourself and not defend yourself.

Luke 6:29 “"Whoever hits you on the cheek, offer him the other also; and whoever takes away your coat, do not withhold your shirt from him either.”

Matthew 5:39 “39 But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.”

1 Thessalonians 5:15 “See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all people.”

4. Be Patient v.31-32. GOD’S will is for our own good in HIS time.

Romans 8:25 “But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.”

Psalm 27:14 “Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. Be safe and may GOD bless you all in these times!”

2 Peter 3:8 “But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.”

            In Lamentations 3:40-41, Jeremiah tells us “Let us search out and examine our ways, And turn back to the Lord; Let us lift our hearts and hands to God in Heaven.” Indeed, these are the times that try our souls.  As we are confined to our homes with time to spare, what better time will we ever have to be Disciples of Christ and to focus on what He wants to teach us. GOD has our attention, on that we can all agree. Now the question is what we are going to do about it.

Let Us Pray.

Dear Heavenly Father, we humbly come before You today asking for Your teachings and for You to instill the discipline in us so that we may be about Your business. We lift up all the families who have lost love ones to this silent enemy and we pray for Your healing hands over those diagnosed. Also, Lord we pray for strength and endurance for the medical community as they work tireless hours to save those who are ill. Lord please open our eyes to those around us who are hurting and scared, for You have given us the answer through salvation and we only need tell them our story. We thank You for this day and we give it all to You. For it is in Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.