Lately it’s been hard to escape the fact that for many people all around the world this is a tough time.

Even as you read this you may find yourself in one of the many very real coronavirus hotspots.

As I’ve chatted with our creative pastors from campuses both here in Australia and around the world it’s been heartbreaking to hear some of the situations and stories.

All of us are affected in some may.

Perhaps for you it is the isolation that difficult.

Being away from family and from our friends and being confined to home is strangely hard to take at times.

But while all of the above is true – we serve a God of greater truth.

And so it is at these times that we have to turn again to the word of God.

It’s time to again hold firm to scripture.  It is powerful and effective. It can encourage and bring life, hope and fuel for the soul!

With this in mind, below are ten scriptures that have given me and my family great hope and comfort in this time. Wherever you are, please allow me to encourage you to engage with God’s Word for you. Let it still your heart, comfort your soul and put courage into you for the days that are ahead.

ONE.

Jeremiah 29:12 MSG

“When you call on me, when you come and pray to me, I will listen.”

TWO.

Jeremiah 31:8 NIV

“The Lord himself goes before you and he will be with you. He will never leave you nor forsake you. So do not be afraid and do not be discouraged.” 

THREE.

Isaiah 41:10 NIV

 “Do not fear for I’m with you. Do not be dismayed for I am the Lord your God. I will strengthen you and help you. And I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

FOUR.

Philippians 4:6-7 NIV

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation by prayer and petition with Thanksgiving, make your request known to God and the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

FIVE.

Isaiah 26:3 NIV

“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast because they trust in you.” And then verses 9 and 10 say, “The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed. A stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know your name trust in you. For you Lord never have forsaken those who seek you.”

SIX.

Psalm 34:17 NIV

“The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them. He delivers them from their troubles.”

SEVEN.

Joshua 1:9 NIV

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid. Do not be discouraged for the Lord. Your God goes with you wherever you go.”

EIGHT.

Psalm 19:18 NIV

“But God will never forget the needy. The hope of the afflicted will never perish.”

NINE.

John 14:27 NIV

“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you, I do not give as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

And then a psalm, because it is one of my favourites, and I feel like it is so pertinent for right now:

TEN.

Psalm 36:5-10 MSG

“This God’s love is meteoric, his loyalty astronomic, his purposes titanic. and his verdict’s oceanic. Yet in his largeness nothing gets lost. Not a man and not a mouse slip through the cracks. How exquisite is your lover? God, how eager we are to run under your wings, to eat our fill at the banquet you spread for us as we fill our tankards with Eden spring water you. You’re a fountain of cascading light and you open our eyes to light. Keep on loving your friends; do your work in welcoming hearts.”

And so, Lord Jesus, we commit this day and this week to you. And Lord, we pray that you will be with our friends who are reading this all around the world, that these verses, Your Word, will come alive to them. Even now, we pray that your Holy Spirit would do a work in them. Even now, we pray Lord that you would bring calm and comfort, and that you bring a sense of peace, to their hearts and their minds. We know you are good and faithful to your Word, and so we love you and your mighty Name. We pray. Amen.

I’m encouraged, and I hope you are too!

Rich

P.S.  If you’d like to have these scriptures read and prayed over you, you can listen to this short Micropod episode of the Hillsong Creative Podcast