According to the PBS News Hour, we in the United States are experiencing 11 mass shootings per week. Can you fathom that? Family members are now Covid positive as are so many, many people we know. As I was listening to the Public Radio News in the car they reported on Ethiopia and the cruelty of its’ leaders and the suffering of the people under that reality and uncertainty of help. More people are facing famine around the world. A two year old boy was shielded from bullets by his father who died along with his mom and when he was found, soaked in blood, he kept asking, “Mama, dada come for me?” We no longer have the luxury of believing that bad things only happen on TV and not to our community.

How can I ask God for a courageous heart of faith? How can I not? More than ever we need someone we can trust. How can we trust when we are fearful or doubtful? What can God give us that we cannot find in any other place? For the Lord is good and his love endures forever, his faithfulness continues through all generations. Psalm 100:5.

And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace. Luke 1:76-79. John the Baptist fulfilled that duty to prepare the way in Jesus’ day.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us. My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father – Jesus Christ, the Righteousness One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world. 1 John 1:9-10, 2:1-2.

When I turned to God and asked Him to help me not just read the words of the Bible, but to understand and find Him, He did. How can I not love and trust the Creator God who gave everything for me and you? Jesus promised in this world we will have trouble and we have in every age of mankind; He has never lied to us or sugar-coated anything. I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. John 16:33.

How do I have a courageous heart of faith? I read His words to us…I listen to sermons from His ministry; I spend time with Him in prayer and listen to His words to me. I’m attentive to the Holy Spirit guiding my heart and leading me to understand a different context of this life in a broken world. I strive to turn my attention away from the clamor of this broken world whose problems I cannot change or solve and seek the face of Jesus. He gives me courage, hope, faith, love. I feel His love surrounding me and it is glorious. He has overcome the world. When He returns He will make all things new again.

…and sang the song of God’s servant Moses and of the Lamb: Great and marvelous are your deeds, Lord God Almighty. Just and true are your ways, King of the nations. Who will not fear you, Lord, and bring glory to your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship before you, for your righteous acts have been revealed. Revelation 15:3-4. The commentary explains: The song of Moses celebrated Israel’s deliverance from Egypt (Exodus 15). The song of the Lamb celebrates the ultimate deliverance of God’s people from the power of Satan.

Satan has power for now and we are living in the midst of that evil. But we have the end of the story and Jesus will return and evil will be destroyed. Jesus will deliver us from the darkness of the power of Satan in this world. That day is yet to be fulfilled but Jesus’s Presence is here now and He can lift your heart and help you keep your eyes on Him and know His peace. Keep your eyes on Him. Seek His face. Find His love for you. His love for you is what will give your courage and joy and certainty in this oh-so-uncertain world.