Let’s FEED not FIGHT. - Pastor-in-Residence Ministries

Pestilence, Politics, Promises, and Patience

How is a believer supposed to respond to all of the changes and uncertainty of the times in which we live? In Matthew 24 Jesus gives insight to His people for how to prepare for His second coming. I’m finding it helpful to prioritize what the Scriptures say a disciple should be doing. Matthew 24:45-49 says, 45“Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his master has set over his household, to give them their food at the proper time? 46Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. 47Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions. 48But if that wicked servant says to himself, ‘My master is delayed,’ 49and begins to beat his fellow servants…”

To beat is to “repeatedly offend.” Hmmm. I am cautioned not to take out my frustrations regarding perceived delays, by arguing and being offended with others. Each of us is experiencing grief in different ways. Disciples, let’s not beat one another, frustrated by delay.

Jesus says He hopes to find His wise and faithful servants feeding His household at the proper time. The word feed means “to nourish or maintain, the food of the mind, the substance of instruction.” Does your mind need to be nourished or instructed to be at peace today? Does your confidence in the goodness of God need to be maintained again today? Are you feeding on the substance of His Word? Disciples, please join me in nourishing the minds of others with the encouragement of God’s word.

May we await His coming by laboring for the harvest. He is not surprised by pestilence, He is not delayed by politics, and He is not slow in keeping His promises. He is patient… not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance (2 Pe 3:9). I said to my kids last night that my primary reason for wanting to change our family’s boundaries right now is impatience. If impatience is a fruit of the flesh, and I make decisions in the flesh, will that ever go well? May we make decisions from a place of patience, waiting on the Lord. He alone will renew our wellbeing. He alone can cause us to say it is well with my soul. May we care more about building up the body than pursuing our personal freedoms, and may we care more about the harvest than we do the virus. Be encouraged everyone!