“Pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17)

But what can I do?

In the midst of this pandemic, this question gets asked a lot. In the midst of the economic melt down, with the increasing numbers of people dying and getting infected, being stuck at home because of our age and pre-existing health conditions, it’s natural to feel helpless.

What can I do?

Actually, quite a bit. You can pray.

Queen Mary, better known as Bloody Mary, said of the great reformer John Knox, “I fear the prayers of John Knox more than all the armies of England.”

Don’t underestimate the power of prayer. Every single revival that has ever taken place has been accompanied by prayer. Every time God has moved in mighty ways, it was prayer that undergirded God’s ministry. Prayer changes everything. There is power in prayer.

Five young college students were spending a Sunday in London, so they went to hear the famed C. H. Spurgeon preach.

While waiting for the doors to open, the students were greeted by a man who asked, “Gentleman, let me show you around. Would you like to see the heating plant of this church?”

They were not particularly interested, for it was a hot day in July. But they didn’t want to offend the stranger, so they consented.

The young men were taken down a stairway, a door was quietly opened, and their guide whispered, “This is our heating plant.” Surprised, the students saw 700 people bowed in prayer, seeking a blessing on the service that was soon to begin in the auditorium above. Softly closing the door, the gentleman then introduced himself. It was none other than Charles Spurgeon.

What can you do? Change the world. Pray.

“While physical training is of some value, godliness is valuable in every way, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come” (1 Timothy 4:8)

Great musicians.

Great athletes.

Great students.

How do people get to a place where they are great in these fields? Untold hours of work and practice. While no one else is watching they are spending untold hours practicing so they can perform when their skills are needed.

Every Christian I know wants to be a good one. That’s a good thing. But we want to be zapped into being good. One moment we were just our normal “me” and then we ask God to make us good and – Zap!

That’s not how it works.

Many are surprised when they discover it takes brutal hours of self-discipline and being stretched through suffering and perseverance in order to be good.

If this is truly our desire, “We must be prepared to do what it takes to produce the inward life of goodness that can transform the soul. Personal formation into the likeness of Christ is arduous and lifelong” (Richard Foster).

So, what do think God’s up to right now in the midst of this pandemic?

Aha! God is at work to shape you and mold you. You’re on your way. Keep at it. Keep up the good work. God is at work in you and me.

“And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope” (Romans 5:3-4)

“And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings”

Ugh! Come on!!! Really? Are you kidding me? You can’t be serious!!!

I don’t want to hear that. I want to hear we boast in our comfort, or our safety, or our prosperity. I want to hear how we boast in our God who is able to save us from all this suffering!!!

“Knowing that suffering produces endurance…”

Ok. I didn’t like suffering. You think I’m going to like endurance? That’s like suffering…but longer!!!!!

“…and endurance character…”

Ok. If the only pathway to character is suffering and endurance, I’m okay with a few flaws in character.

“…and character hope.”

Hope. Now we’re talking. That’s what I’m talking about. What our world needs right now more than ever his HOPE!

But that’s just the thing. If you want the hope that God is talking about this is the pathway.

The hope that Bible is talking about is not like “I hope this is the season the Mariners will win the World Series (that is if we start playing baseball). You see, the way most of use hope, it’s wishful thinking. Mariners, World Series? We know that’s not happening!

The hope that the Bible talks about is not like that at all. The Greek word for hope elpis literally means the “expectation of what is sure.” There is no guess work here. This is a sure thing. As long as we’re breathing, we will be paying taxes. See? No guess work. This is going to happen.

Suffering ⇒ Endurance ⇒ Character ⇒ HOPE

This current season…this is not an accident. God is working in you to produce a sure hope that is unshakable!!! God’s got this, and God’s got you!