Rooted in Christ in Hard Seasons
Spring in Germany is usually the season people enjoy sunshine and spring flowers after the long and cold winter. But it was hard this year to celebrate beautiful spring days, as waves of Covid restrictions were announced, as well as news about the pandemic and the possibility of wars coming from all directions.
I thought the pandemic didn't affect me that much the past year. I was trying to be creative within the restrictions to still share Jesus, love people, and to also have fun in life. But this past month, even I felt the weight, and found it hard to be motivated or excited.
Last weekend I prayer walked in the city with a few friends, to worship in strategic locations and intercede for Hamburg and the government. Two to three of us are allowed to walk together. Worshipping without instruments, we felt the presence of God clearly. We so enjoyed worshiping with others.
Our hearts need time like this so much. It's not just following the worship music or videos, but spontaneously following the flow of the Holy Spirit; singing God's goodness and promises aloud. It reminds our spirit who He is, and how we should live each day.
"...the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and the more they spread abroad. And the Egyptians were in dread of the people of Israel. So they ruthlessly made the people of Israel work as slaves and made their lives bitter with hard service..."
(Exodus 1:12-14)
The Lord is my light and my salvation;
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life;
of whom shall I be afraid?
Wait for the Lord;
be strong, and let your heart take courage;
wait for the Lord!
(Psalm 27:1, 14)
The enemy will endeavor to silence us, and to "make our lives bitter". But the reality is that we are mighty in power, for He who is in us is greater than he who is in the world! The enemy is in dread of us. He tries to distract us from gazing upon our Lord, causing us to forget who we are. Let's again root ourselves in Christ, and declare to our hearts: “Be strong, take courage, and wait for the Lord! He is my light and my salvation!”
On our prayer walk we saw this sign:
God Always Keeps His Promises
“For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it." (Isaiah 55:10-11)
About the Author: Esther Wang fell in love with Jesus at the age of 14, and desires to know Jesus in a deeper, emotional level ever since. She was born in Taiwan, currently living in Hamburg, Germany, and longing to be part of what God is doing among the Muslim refugees.
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Lessons from the Least, the Last, and the Lost, All Nations Weekly Devotion by Blake Staton, M.Div.
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