Enduring Tough COVIDtimes (Joyfully?)

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Listening to the daily COVID-19 news brings me a little bit of hope but also great sadness. The examples and inspiring words of those on the forefront fighting this disease often help, but we also need the words of Scripture, which bring lasting hope.

So here is your Coronavirus Bible Study: “Enduring Tough Times (Joyfully?)” 

Take 60 minutes over the next few days to meditate on these “Tough Times” verses. You are helping others (good!), but let the Scriptures help you too! Jot notes of what stands out.

Feel free to invite your friends and family to do this study too—the door is open. May God enable us to encourage others.

Readings

  • Psalm 23:1-6
  • Psalm 27:13-14
  • Psalm 37:1-8
  • Psalm 55:22
  • Psalm 93:1; 97:1; 99:1 “The Lord reigns…” (If so, why is there suffering?)
  • Psalm 138:6-8

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”

— Psalm 119:105
  • Psalm 139:13-18
  • Isaiah 41:10, 13
  • Matthew 5:13-16
  • Matthew 6:27-34
  • John 14:27; 16:33
  • Romans 5:3-5
  • Romans 8:28 (A cop-out? What good might result from today’s difficulties?)
  • Philippians 1:6; 2:12-16
  • Philippians 4:4-8 (What to think about!)
  • Colossians 3:15-16
  • 2 Thessalonians 3:16
  • James 1:2-4 (Note: There is no “it” in verse 2 of the original language.)
  • 1 Peter 1:6-8
  • 1 Peter 2:20
  • 1 Peter 4:1, 12-13
  • 1 Peter 5:6-10

“We need have no fear of Someone who loves us perfectly. His perfect love for us eliminates all dread of what He might do to us. If we are afraid, it is for fear of what He might do to us and shows that we are not fully convinced that He really loves us. ”

— 1 John 4:18 (Living Letters)

“He does not fear bad news, nor live in dread of what might happen. For he is settled in his mind that Jehovah will take care of him.”

— Psalm 112:7 (Living Psalms)

Meditations

Whisper, “In the midst of tough times,” before reading each line of Psalm 100:

In the midst of tough times
Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth.

In the midst of tough times
Serve the Lord with gladness; come before Him with joyful singing.

In the midst of tough times
Know that the Lord Himself is God; it is He who made us and not we ourselves;

In the midst of tough times
We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.

In the midst of tough times
Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him, bless His name.

In the midst of tough times
The Lord is good; His lovingkindness is everlasting and His faithfulness to all generations.

“To whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.”

— John 6:68

My takeaway:

What is God saying to me? ___________________________________________________________

Scott Morton
Scott Morton

Scott serves as International Funding Coach for The Navigators. He graduated from Iowa State University in Technical Journalism and worked in newspaper advertising before joining The Navigators. Navigator postings include Columbia, Missouri; Iowa City, Madison, Minneapolis, and short-term ministries in Asia and Europe. He served in The Navigators US Development Department since 1985 and as Vice President of Development from 1997 until 2010 when he took the international role. Scott is the author of five books including Funding Your Ministry, Down to Earth Discipling, Tired of Do-List Christianity, For You My Friend, and Blindspots. For biblical fundraising tools and 3-minute videos go to www.scottmorton.net.

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