Hemmed in With God, April 18, 2020

Our Scripture for today starts out with wonderful and encouraging words. I would like to share them here from the Message Bible.

Romans 5:1-5: By entering through faith into what God has always wanted to do for us—set us right with him, make us fit for him—we have it all together with God because of our Master Jesus. And that’s not all: We throw open our doors to God and discover at the same moment that he has already thrown open his door to us. We find ourselves standing where we always hoped we might stand—out in the wide open spaces of God’s grace and glory, standing tall and shouting our praise. 3-5 There’s more to come: We continue to shout our praise even when we’re hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next. In alert expectancy such as this, we’re never left feeling shortchanged. Quite the contrary—we can’t round up enough containers to hold everything God generously pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit!

One of the most important things that we as believers can do day by day is to apply the Word of God to our lives and current situation. What can we glean for today? In light of all with COVID-19, we can know for sure that God has us in the center of His care. Peace is the result in our hearts and minds and we need to allow that peace to permeate our very being. Secondly, we can know that when "hemmed in with troubles" that God is working in us to produce a patient endurance that keeps us strong through it all. We can have a heart of praise despite trouble!

The bottom line is this--God has you in His care, is working for your good, and has filled you to the full with His love, constantly being poured into you through the presence of the Holy Spirit. Be at peace today in your heart and mind and take the time to give a shout of praise to God!