For such a time as this...

Today, in the midst of national terror,
local racial insensitivity,
deep hurt,
& rising fear
may we be reminded that we still have access to a God who is on the throne, constant, ever-present, and working all things for our good.

May we be reminded of the hope that tomorrow can be better,
and may we become a people that draws together in unity and love, doing something to make it so.

"Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another- and all the more as we see the Day approaching." -Hebrews 10:23-25

Fear, you do not win. 

Terror & hysteria, you do not win. 

Hate, you. do. not. win. 

"For in just a very little while, He who is coming will come and will not delay. But my righteous one will live by faith. And if he shrinks back, I will not be pleased with him." Hebrews 10:37-38

We will not shrink back.

We will join together & press on as a people of peace, a people of restoration, a people of mercy, a people of love, a people of joy, a people who know the Lord's heart and steward it to our brothers and sisters well. 

We see you, Satan. 

We see what you're trying to do, 

distracting us with "controversial" red cups, 

pitting us against the world and creating a divide, when those are the very people who need Jesus the most. 

We see you trying to release fear, hysteria, chaos, and pain into every corner of the earth, 

dividing Christians over homosexuality, race and gender, 

crowding our lives with meaningless things, 

and falsely uniting us through social media. 

We see you digging at deep wounds, bringing up past hurts, furthering brokenness. 

We see you. 

You've gotten our attention, and tricked us into giving you a platform through our fear that you do not deserve.  

You're clever, but you do not win. 

Today, right now, we turn our eyes back to the One who orders and authors all things, the peace-giver, and life-bringer: Jehovah Jireh. 

We will rise; 

we will join together in the physical, not just in the cyber; 

we will pray- actually pray; 

we will unify & not divide, 

& we. will. worship. 

When a servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. 

"Oh, my lord, what shall we do?" the servant asked.

"Don't be afraid," the prophet answered. "Those who are with us are more than those who are with them." And Elisha prayed "O Lord, open his eyes so he may see." Then the Lord opened the servant's eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

-2 Kings 6

Satan, you do not win, because, while we see you, 

we also see a God who is far bigger-
a God who's heart is for us, 

who's love is stronger, 

& who has hills full of horses and chariots of fire at the ready. 

Do not be afraid, friends.

Rather, let us join together, praying for our eyes to be opened to the plans of the Lord and how he wants to use us during this time in history. 

We were born for such a time as this.