Wash Your Hands

We have heard so much about maintaining physical health during these times. Fair enough--I'll wash my hands and maintain social distancing.  I promise.

But there's more to life than such things.

So I just want to offer a few thoughts to help my Christian brethren maintain their spiritual health this weekend.

It's so easy to forget the basics.

First, all—or nearly all of us—have a safe place to stay and food to eat today. That's no small blessing.

“For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either. If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content” (1 Timothy 6:6-7).

Whatever *else* may be happening around us, surely we can at least pause and give thanks to God for that.

Secondly, Matthew 6:25-34 is a good meditation in these times of upheaval. I can’t urge you strongly enough to spend some unhurried time reading through it--especially those of you that are easily gripped with fear.

Yes, we don’t know what the future holds. But it's not like Christ failed to prepare us for such things: “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own" (Matthew 6:33-34).

Many of us miss corporate worship and the fellowship of the saints—especially in a time when mutual, in-person encouragement would be so meaningful.

Perhaps we have a taste of what the faithful people of God felt in Old Testament exile—longing for their homeland and the familiar temple worship, yet the authorities of the day made that impossible for them to enjoy.

It appears our “exile” will last a little while longer, but it surely won’t be 70 years as it was for Israel.

God kept them. He will keep us.

There is spiritual opportunity for us if we look for it. The Christ who loved us and gave himself up for us is with us always, even to the end of the age.

You can find your rest in him.

Christian friends, our God will sanctify this time to the good of our souls. We will certainly get through it.

Time, in the wise hands of our sovereign and loving Lord, will be our friend.

We still have ample reason to worship and give thanks.

"Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God" (Matthew 4:4).

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

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