INSPIRASUNS

This morning I have been doing some reading. I’m feeling a little out of sorts, trying to reground myself. What’s the best thing you can do when feeling this way…well, dig into the Bible. I was listening to a podcast yesterday and the host mentioned just that. He was talking about feeling tired and stressed, just dealing with all the current events. He encouraged listeners to have a Bible with them, and when they are feeling the “heaviness” of the world, to just open up the Bible and let it speak to them. Just pick a page and start reading.

Well, this morning I did just that. I opened it up, not knowing what page I would land on. It was the first page of the book of 2 Chronicles. The Bible that I turn to most is the Founder’s Bible. It’s a wonderful version that folds in history, the founding of our country, and how that was done with God at the center. What I like about this Bible is that at the start of each book, the author provides an easy-to-read narrative of what takes place. Sometimes the Bible can be difficult to read and understand, and this version breaks things down nicely.

So, back to 2 Chronicles and my landing there this morning. As I read the recap from the author, something struck me. It struck me how that time is very similar to now. Here is a snippet from the page I read this morning. “Second Chronicles at its core provides us the essential life lessons of what went wrong. We get an inside look at the hearts of the kings of Judah-what they did right and what they did wrong. The destruction was God’s severe chastisement for so utterly forsaking Him and plunging themselves into darkness; He let them experience the full measure of their sin. The quick summation: “The Lord is with you when you are with Him. And if you seek Him, He will let you find Him; but if you forsake Him, He will forsake You” (2 Chronicles 15:2). God does not abandon any of us, but neither can we presume upon His mercy and lovingkindness. This has and always will be about true heart relationship”.

After digesting these snippets of 2 Chronicles, I flipped randomly to another section of the Bible. I landed on the page containing Psalm 91. The label that the author gives this Psalm is, “Security of the One Who Trusts in the Lord”. I’m not going to share the full Psalm here, I would however encourage you to read it. It too speaks to our current days when things seem so unsettled.

Finally, I went to our Book of Common Prayer. Once again, I let myself pick a page. I chose near the back where there are various prayers for different situations. I landed on the page sharing prayers for guidance. Well, yes, that would be appropriate for my mood this morning. This simple prayer is what I needed.

O God, by whom the meek are guided in judgment, and light riseth up in darkness for the godly: Grant us, in all our doubts and uncertainties, the grace to ask what thou would have us to do, that the Spirit of wisdom may save us from all false choices, and that in thy light we may see light, and in thy straight path may not stumble; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Friends, I know these times are unsettling, and after a while, they wear on us to the point where we too can become unsettled. I think the recommendation of that podcaster is a good one. Keep your Bible close, and when you feel lost, anxious, or uncertain, open it up and dive in. Just pick a page and start reading. Then, let the peace that comes from those words settle you.

Have a good day friends, and remember, He will not abandon us.

2 Chronicles 16:9
For the eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His.