As the COVID-19 virus rages across the globe bringing, pain, suffering and death in its wake, I thought I’d share this scripture alphabet with you to  bring you the comfort and encouragement it brought me. This too shall pass. 

A is for Assurance. “Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.” (Hebrews 10:22). God gives his children assurance. It is a precious thing, a source of deep peace and consolation. During this pandemic, ask God for it. He wants you to have it.

B is for Bold. “Be bold. Be brave. Be courageous.” (Joshua 1:9). Although, we are isolated in our homes during this, there are times that we need to go out on errands. Be bold and courageous. You can do everything through Christ who gives strength.

C is for Consider. “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” (James 1:2,3). As a child of God, you are challenged to label hardships as things over which you should rejoice. Count trials as deposits, not withdrawals.    

D is for Don’t. “Do not wear yourself out to get rich; do not trust your own cleverness. Cast but a glance at riches…” (Proverbs 23:4,5). This pandemic has led to big swings in investment markets, and investment losses that threaten to wear you out with anxiety. Instead, lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven. Wealth is worthless in the day of wrath.

E is for Encourage.  “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:11). Now that you’ve received encouragement, encouraged, return the favour. Encourage a brother or sister in Christ.   

F is for Future. “Surely there is a future, and your hope will not be cut off.” (Proverbs 23:18).F is for Future. “Surely there is a future, and your hope will not be cut off.” (Proverbs 23:18). As Corrie ten Boom says “Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.”[1] https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/70125-never-be-afraid-to-trust-an-unknown-future-to-a

G is for Generous. “The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor.” (Proverbs 22:9). During this pandemic, let’s remember to be generous toward God’s work by returning a faithful tithe and offering. Give also to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you, don’t turn away. As you give unsparingly, God will provide.  

H is for Hope. “…Hope in the Lord, for with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him is abundant redemption.” (Psalm 130:7). Rejoice in the hope you have in Christ. Hope does not disappoint. Hope abides. You have this blessed hope in your heart. Keep looking for it.

I is for the ‘I AM. “I am the God, the Lord of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?” (Jeremiah 32:27). During your home isolation, draw nearer to Jesus, our Creator. Nothing is too hard for Him to do for you. He loves you. He is always present and in the present.

J is for Joyful.  “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” (Romans 12:12). The Lord can bring joy into your life this very day. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.

K is for Kind. “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another just as Christ has forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:32). As families huddle together during this pandemic, it can so easy for someone to lose patience and hurt another. So, remember to be kind to each other.   

L is for Lift. “I will lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.” (Psalm 121:1,2). God is your helper.  Pray that His peace will lift away any fear and sadness in your hearts.

M is for Momentary. “For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen.” (2 Corinthians 4:18). It may not appear so right now, but though we may think that COVID -19 is not light, it certainly is momentary. This too shall pass.  

N is for Now. “Now I want you to know that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel.” (Philippians 1:12). Could you echo Paul’s statement? Do you believe that these COVID-19 circumstances could turn out to be true? I do. Pray that they do.

O is for Ornament. “Whose adorning, let it not be an outward adorning… even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.” (1 Peter 3:3,4). The internal grace of meekness, humility, and quietness, is a fruit of the Spirit, and is what is very ornamental to a believer. It is the clothing, your inward adorning that makes you lovely in the sight of God. Show off this ornament during COVID-19.

P is for Patience. “For ye have need of patience that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.” (Hebrews: 10:36). Keep your hopes high during this pandemic. Clothe yourself with patience, it will help us stay calm and make the right decisions. Stockpile patience; not toilet paper.

Q is for Quicken. “Quicken me, O Lord, according unto thy word!”(Psalm 119:107). The Holy Spirit is the one who gives life (quickens). His instrument is the word of God. Take time during this pandemic to let the word of God quicken you; renew your love for Him; and increase your determination to please Him.

R if for Return. “Return to the stronghold [of security and prosperity], you prisoners of hope; even today do I declare that I will restore double your former prosperity to you.” (Zechariah 9:12). When this pandemic is all over, God promises to restore double from your former prosperity… double faith, double blessing, even double finances if that’s what we need.   

S is for Seek. “Seek the LORD and his strength; seek his presence continually!” (1 Chronicles 16:11). Use the time you have during your self-quarantine or self-isolation, to seek out God in prayer. Seek out His word. Do it now. Do it often.

T is for Thanks. “…Thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord, Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15:57). Though this pandemic brings with it a lot of inconvenience, pain and suffering, we have much for which to give thanks. Thanking the Lord in adversity turns burdens into blessings.  

U is for Under. “Hide me under the shadow of your wings, from the shadow of the wicked that oppress me.” (Psalm 17:8). Unfortunately, during this pandemic, the wicked have chosen to harm and exploit others. Just think about this week in Nova Scotia. But remember, God’s wings are wings of mercy; wide-spreading; gentle. They will cover you.     

V is for Victory. “… the Lord gives victory to his anointed. He answers him from his heavenly sanctuary with the victorious power of his right hand.” (Psalm 20:6). Overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, our Lord who loves us. This includes victory over death, a sad outcome of the COVID-19 virus. Victory in the face of this pandemic is assured. Claim it.   

W is for Worry-free. “Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?” (Luke 12:25-26). Stop worrying about COVID-19. Rest in Jesus. Trust Him, and be worry free.

X is for eXalt. “Exalt the lord our God and worship at his footstool. (Psalm 99:5). Alright, I know technically this verse does not begin with the letter X, but you get the point.Smile. Do what it says, Lift up the name of the Lord. Join the angels and worship him.   

Y is for You. “Come to me …, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28). King David recommends in Psalm 5:3 that you come in the morning, present your request and then wait expectantly for an answer. What a good idea! So, connect with God in the morning (and any other time); make your requests and He will hear you. That’s God’s promise to you.  

Z is for Zion. “Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God hath shined.” (Psalm 50:2). Though you must ensure this pandemic, remember God has promised to take us to Zion, beautiful, beautiful Zion. Wait for it; because it will surely come to pass. See you in Zion.   

My Prayer for You

Heavenly Father, please strengthen our hearts, and remind us to encourage one another with your word. Please guard our hearts from anxiety and give us the strength to rise up each day and fight against the struggles which seek to weigh us down. Amen