Our Joyful Faith
Scripture Reading — Psalm 97:1, 9-12
The LORD reigns, let the earth be glad... .Rejoice in the LORD ... and praise his holy name. Psalm 97:1, 12
Can you imagine becoming a refugee in your retirement years, violently uprooted from your community and finding yourself in a new place with no family, church, or retirement benefits?
That's what our listener Maria had to face at age 68. In her letter she openly talks about her sense of loss, being far from her family and church and having many unbelievers for neighbors. Yet Maria's painful experiences haven't made her bitter. Actually she is excited. Recently she started a neighborhood Bible study, and she is praying for an even greater outreach ministry. Maria writes about God's presence in her life.
If you have a cell phone, you know that if you go outside of your coverage area, the phone is useless. But God's grace is not like that. If we belong to the Lord, we are never outside his "coverage area." And that applies not only to our geographic location but also to any situation in our lives. That's why the psalmist can't stop praising his Lord!
Regardless of our external circumstances, the Lord always reigns, and his loving reign extends to every corner of this world and every part of our lives. God protects us, his children. He nourishes us with his Word and encourages us with his Spirit. That's what makes biblical Christianity so positive and joyful!
Lord, your loving reign makes us joyful. We praise you for guarding our lives and delivering us from evil! Be with us on our journey of faith, as we continue serving you. Amen.
About the author — Sergei Sosedkin
Sergei Sosedkin is the Russian-language ministry leader for ReFrame Ministries. He is a native of Moscow, Russia. As he oversees the Russian-language ministry, Sosedkin works from our office in Grand Rapids and in various locations in Russia.
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