We don't have a choice of circumstances, but we can choose to face whatever happens with a state of mind. God doesn't promise that the sky will always be blue, but he says, “In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
During the COVID-19 pandemic, I stepped up my study for an exam in theology I was planning to take, but I was afraid that my year-long efforts would be in vain. Worry filled my heart, but God showed me he commanded Joshua, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)
After Moses, Joshua went on to lead the people across the Jordan River and take over the land of Canaan. Facing so many people and unknown dangers ahead, God told Joshua to be strong and courageous. Joshua's name, given by God, was "Jehovah is salvation." God had promised him that just as he was with Moses, he would be with him, and he would never leave him or forsake him. God wanted him to know that he was not alone, God was with him, and he should be strong and courageous and obey all the laws Moses had commanded. God's promise comes with power, not only for Joshua, but for everyone who believes in him!
Now that worship services have been suspended, how do we not become spiritually weak during this period of time? First, we need to return to our faith itself. Jesus is the vine and we are the branches. The branch withers when it is not a part of the vine, and it bears fruit only when it is connected to the tree. We can understand God's heart by reading the Bible, praying, and praising him. Secondly, we need to have spiritual partners. With our spiritual partners, we can encourage and pray for each other, challenge each other, and read the Scriptures together. If we can't see each other often, WeChat contact is ok, and we will always find the way that is best for us.
He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. (Isaiah 40:29)
- Translated by Sophia Chen
行过低谷靠主得胜
我们没有办法选择环境，但是我们可以选择以什么样的心态面对环境，上帝没有应许我们天色常蓝，但是却应许“在世上你们有苦难，但你们放心，我已经胜了世界”。
在疫情期间我刚好加紧复习神学考试，但又害怕自己一年多的努力白费，那种担心忧虑占满了自己的内心，但是神却让我看到祂给约书亚的“刚强壮胆”的吩咐：我岂没有吩咐你吗？你当刚强壮胆！不要惧怕，也不要惊惶，因为你无论往哪里去，耶和华你的 神必与你同在。”（书1：9）
摩西之后约书亚继续带领百姓过约旦河，占领迦南地，面对那么多的百姓和前面未知的环境，神亲自吩咐约书亚当刚强壮胆。约书亚的名字是“耶和华是拯救”，他是神亲自呼召起来的，神应许他怎样与摩西同在，也必照样与他同在，必不撇下他，也不丢弃他。神要他知道并不是他一个人前行，而是神与他同在，他只要刚强壮胆并且遵行摩西吩咐的一切律法。神的应许是带着能力的，不仅给约书亚能力，也赐给每一个相信他的人能力！
今天，我们要面对的仍然是没有实体聚会的光景，如何让自己在这段时间里不软弱呢？首先，需要回到我们信仰的本身，主耶稣是葡萄树，我们是枝子，枝子离开葡萄树只会枯干，只有连接到树的供应，枝子才能够结果子。借着读经祷告赞美，体会神的心意。其次，我们需要有属灵伙伴，找到自己的属灵同伴，相互鼓励与代祷，彼此督促，一起读经，若没有办法常见面，微信联系也是可以的，总有适合自己的最佳方式。
疲乏的，他赐能力；软弱的，他加力量。（赛40：29）
We don't have a choice of circumstances, but we can choose to face whatever happens with a state of mind. God doesn't promise that the sky will always be blue, but he says, “In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
During the COVID-19 pandemic, I stepped up my study for an exam in theology I was planning to take, but I was afraid that my year-long efforts would be in vain. Worry filled my heart, but God showed me he commanded Joshua, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)
After Moses, Joshua went on to lead the people across the Jordan River and take over the land of Canaan. Facing so many people and unknown dangers ahead, God told Joshua to be strong and courageous. Joshua's name, given by God, was "Jehovah is salvation." God had promised him that just as he was with Moses, he would be with him, and he would never leave him or forsake him. God wanted him to know that he was not alone, God was with him, and he should be strong and courageous and obey all the laws Moses had commanded. God's promise comes with power, not only for Joshua, but for everyone who believes in him!
Now that worship services have been suspended, how do we not become spiritually weak during this period of time? First, we need to return to our faith itself. Jesus is the vine and we are the branches. The branch withers when it is not a part of the vine, and it bears fruit only when it is connected to the tree. We can understand God's heart by reading the Bible, praying, and praising him. Secondly, we need to have spiritual partners. With our spiritual partners, we can encourage and pray for each other, challenge each other, and read the Scriptures together. If we can't see each other often, WeChat contact is ok, and we will always find the way that is best for us.
He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. (Isaiah 40:29)
- Translated by Sophia Chen
As We Go through Valley, the Lord Will Help Us Prevail
