Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. (Jas. 4:8 ESV)

In the wake of the murder of Ahmaud Arbery, over 80,000 COVID-19 deaths in the US, and over 280,000 deaths worldwide, it is clear that business, as usual, is not the right response. The change needed is nothing that this world is offering. Time and time again, the lives of people are marginalized to fit the desires of those in power. It is Mother’s Day, and I find it impossible not to consider the loss of many children to unnecessary violence. Additionally, disregard for the care of our fellow man by not wearing a mask or practicing social distancing. The blood of our brothers and sisters are crying out from the ground for justice from above. Every life is precious in the sight of God. Still, somehow the frequency and volume of these deaths can become overwhelming to consider. We must never grow insensitive to image-bearers of the Almighty God perishing and recognize that these are only symptoms of a greater problem. We need the wisdom of God like we have never needed him before. We need his solution and to join Him in it. If not, then we are a part of the problem as well. The Epistle of James teaches that peace is experienced and share through God’s wisdom (James 3:17-18). The faith community in Judea and those scattered abroad throughout the Roman Empire were not experiencing peace. The dominate culture oppressed the poor, there was favoritism for the wealthy, hope for material gain, and the rich took advantage of the poor. The solution is not if you cannot beat them join them, but the answer is seeking the LORD to enlighten you and empower you to put His wisdom into practice. How?

1. Critical Self-examination (Repentance): Pluto said an unexamined life is a life not worth living. The fact is that all of us have issues if we look in the mirror. Our desires and passion drive and lead us astray, so we must examine our ways and return to the LORD (Lam 3:40). The chaos and disorder around us are evidence people are doing what they want and not what God wants. James challenges believers to pray and to pray effectively that God wisdom guides and re-positions in His will and not our own (James 4:1-3).
2. Allegiance exposure (Restitution): Faithfulness and commitment to God are commanded. We are commanded to love Him with all of our being (Matt 22:37). However, our associations reveal our commitments; we have one foot on the solid ground with the Lord and the other on ice with the world (1 John 2:15-18). In so doing, we are functioning as an enemy of God, and we don’t want that fight (James 4:4-6). We must choose sides; there is no middle ground. Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection redeemed us. As friends of God, we too must be courageous and make the declaration, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15). Stop following the crowd!
3. Spiritual distancing (Reconciliation): We must reject the wisdom that leads to sin and death (James 3:14-15). James provides ten (10) imperatives that represent the acts of confession for a repentant heart in total surrender to God (James 4:7-10). Humility provides the closeness and confidence to experience greater grace and access to glory (Heb 4:16). If you want to change, want peace, want clarity through the chaos, don’t drift away from God, draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.

As Christians, we must reject strife and surrender to God, and He will produce the peace we need in and through you by spiritual distancing.

Because He Lives,

Pastor Reggie Sheppard

but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. (Isa. 40:31 ESV)

I recently preached a message called “Who are you waiting on” from the subject of waiting. Waiting is understood to be practicing patience, but it is essential to understand that waiting on the LORD is not a passive exercise but a very active one. In my studies of Isaiah chapter 40, I saw the LORD impressing upon the readers and hearers to wait correctly knowing that no one or nothing can compare to who he is, what he has done, or what he can do. Yet, there remains the problem of waiting in crisis or difficult circumstances for various reasons. In our study of “Experiencing God” by Henry Blackaby, we read that waiting in hope shifts the responsibility of the outcome to God, where it belongs. After reading that, I could recall a countless number of times I moved in advance of God without even a prayer whisper, and the outcomes were disappointing because I excluded my help and strength. So, how do we wait, and in crisis, why must we put all our hope in the LORD?

1. We must wait on the LORD because He is a faithful and dependable God (Isa 40:27-28). Our words and thoughts can be condemning, ill-informed, and self-serving. Yet, our limitations do not limit the everlasting God. Nothing can disrupt the plans he has for you. God can step in and out of time whenever he wants to fulfill the promise of His word. He has an eternal plan to care for you and give you a future and a hope that will not disappoint you (Jer 29:11).  So, in waiting, we are refusing to take-over but trusting in our dependable God who is faithful to do all that he has called you to be and accomplish (1 Thes 5:24). 
2. We must wait on the LORD because He is a powerful and capable God (Isa 40:29). When we are hungry and thirsty, we can pursue those desires to satisfy ourselves and can make matters worst when we give up waiting on God to provide. Try to satisfy our own needs can reveal a pattern of self-gratification. We are unhappy with the house so buy another one; we are unhappy with the car, so we buy another one, we are happy with our spouse or friend, so we get another one, unhappy in the town we live, so we move to another one. Our satisfying strength for weaknesses and inabilities are through Christ Jesus (John 7:37-39).  So, in waiting, we are refusing to give up expecting the LORD to enable and empower us, understanding the He can do exceedingly and more abundantly than all we ask or think (Eph. 3:20).
3. We must wait on the LORD because He is mindful and dedicated to us (Isa. 40:30-31). It is clear from the text that God has the endurance and power we need to be successful in healing, restoration, and deliverance, but sometimes we drift and start to wonder if He is concerned about what is happening to us. Our God sent His Son in demonstration of His love (Rom 5:8), and through Him, God has been careful and mindful to ensure that we are purposed and positioned to reach where He has destined us (Ps 8:3-5).  So, in waiting, we are refusing to self-rescue ourselves, trusting the LORD to renew, restore and deliver us to reach every appointed milestone causing us to soar across the finish (our destiny) knowing he will never leave nor forsake us (Heb 13:5).

Waiting on the LORD ensures that we are sustained, strengthen, and soaring into our destiny even through a crisis and difficult circumstances. Wait on the LORD!

Because He Lives,

Pastor Reggie Sheppard