SOCIAL DISTANCING

Read Psalm 1

Until the coronavirus pandemic, I had never heard the term “social distancing.”  The government is calling upon us to distance ourselves from contact with others who might infect us and spread the deadly virus.

While the term may be new, the concept is not. The Psalmist is warning us about an even deadlier virus called sin. If we are intimate with those who have given themselves over to it—embrace their counsel, enter their course, and enjoy their company—the contagion will destroy us.

There is a vaccine for this sin virus.  A daily dose of God’s Word has a power to immunize us. Let Scripture be your counselor, chart your course, and its truths your companions. Delight in the Word and digest its message. 

The word “meditate,” is to ruminate, as a sheep chews its cud extracting all the nutrition from the meal. So, we read the Word, study it, memorize it, meditate on it, and apply it—which is transforming.

To change the metaphor, we will be like trees, with roots downward for stability and fruit outward for productivity.  Our branches will be growing and our foliage will be showing—all to the glory of God.  We will not fear death and judgment for we have life, abundant life, here and hereafter—real happiness and prosperity. COVID-19 cannot change that. What if we die?  We can’t really!  All we would do is leave behind the only part of us that gives us a problem and enter the wonder of heaven!

But, not the wicked.  They are not trees. They are tumbleweeds. No root, no fruit, blown along by culture and circumstances—the prevailing winds of the moment. Worse of all, death is a constant fear and judgment a dreadful fate.  They often deny the existence of God because they do not want to consider the consequences of their choice. They did not listen and “shelter in place,” seeking refuge in Christ who alone can save us.

What choice will you make?

RAISING HOPE

 

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.  (Philippians 4:8)

Do we have hearts brim full of hope?  If so, then out of that reservoir, we as preachers will share hope each Sunday—and how our people need it!  They are beaten down daily by the desperate conditions they find themselves in, traveling on Sunday morning—trudging might be a better word—through the desert places of their lives, thirsty souls looking for an oasis.  Brothers, don’t let your message be only a mirage!  We will share from our mouths what our minds have meditated on during the week.  Have we been obsessed with the truth, the things that are majestic, focused on that which is just, morally pure, satisfying to the senses in a way that creates awe, admiring that which inspires, celebrating achievement and concentrating on that which glorifies God and elicits praise?  Paul, imprisoned in body, yet liberated in mind and heart tells us to meditate on these things!  Make God, His glory and His good news your magnificent obsession!

There will always be sins to confront, false doctrines to expose, and a host of demonic evils to battle.  Yet, is that to be the continual subject of our sermons?  Should we focus on the evil or the good?  Do we curse the darkness or light a candle.  Bad news is only meant to set the stage for the good news—and that is what the Gospel is!  Grace-filled and Gospel-focused preaching is demanded!

Our flock faces plenty in the world to depress them.  Do we drive them farther into that mental state?  It is a message that raises hope and inspires hearts that is called for, since God is the God of hope, and Jesus is the bringer of hope—blessed hope He is!

I am not calling for some Osteen-ism—of paste on a smile and think happy thoughts, and “think your way to prosperity” nonsense.  That is worse than nonsense—it is heresy.  Reality must be faced.  The Old Testament prophets surely thundered against wickedness.  But, they didn’t stop there.  God would break the clouds, and send a beam of hope’s light piercing through each time.  If we must use Scripture as a scalpel to cut today because some spiritual malignancy is present, even so, our object is to heal, not to hurt.

Reality is not to be denied by “positive thinking.”  But, I am positive that God is the ultimate reality!  This is what enabled a woman whose darling son was dead to respond in faith to the prophet Elisha’s inquiry about her state, “It is well.” (2 Kings 4:26b) 

Do our sermons lead to worshippers raising their hands, or worriers wringing them?  Let’s go out today and raise some hope!