Dear Christian, are you worried about what is going to happen in these uncertain times? Maybe you’ve lost your job and you don’t know how you’ll pay your mortgage. Maybe you’re worried that you or someone you love is going to get sick. Maybe you’re just wondering when this will all end?
Dear Members of the St. Paul Family,
I read an article today that included the number 1,467. What is important about 1,467? 1,467 is the number of ventilators which WGN Investigates found are in the state of Illinois. It was also reported that, as of Wednesday morning, only 374 of those 1,467 ventilators were unused.
I would imagine many of you either watched live (like I did) or have seen at least clips of Governor Pritzker’s address which he gave today. One of the underlying emotions which I sensed was one of fear. Our leaders are afraid that too many people are going to get sick and we won’t have enough ventilators to help people who are having trouble breathing to continue breathing and beat COVID-19. The governor shared he has sought the best medical advice he can possibly find, but he doesn’t know how long or when this will all end.
I understand your panic and fear, but I want to direct you to the words of Psalm 46. “God is our refuge and strength, a helper who can always be found in times of trouble. That is why we will not fear when the earth dissolves and when the mountains tumble into the heart of the sea.Its waters roar and foam. The mountains quake when it rises. There is a river—its streams bring joy to the city of God, to the holy dwelling of the Most High.God is in her. She will not fall. God will help her at daybreak.Nations are in turmoil. Kingdoms fall. God raises his voice. The earth melts. The Lord of Armies is with us. The God of Jacob is a fortress for us. Come, look at the works of the Lord. What a wasteland he has made of the earth!He makes wars cease to the end of the earth. He shatters the bow. He cuts up the spear. He burns the cartswith fire.Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted on the earth.The Lord of Armies is with us. The God of Jacob is a fortress for us.”
God is our refuge and strength. He has not left us nor has he lost control of our situation. He encourages us to be still and know that he is God. Life at St. Paul is going to be different for a few weeks. Due to the governor’s stay at home order, we won’t be having church for the next few weeks. We have posted links on our website to the WELS’ Daily Devotion. We will also continue to have a weekly message shared on our website and Facebook page. Please continue to look at both for updates.
Thank you and God Bless,
Paul Micheel
PastorSt. Paul Lutheran Church, Grant Park, ILJesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me will live, even if he dies. And whoever lives and believes in me will never perish.” (John 11:25-26 EHV)