The God Who Zoomed

We live in strange times. Isolated at home, unsure how long the virus pandemic will continue.

It can be unsettling.

But God is still on His throne. The Psalms declare it. He is not unaware of our situation. The Gospels tell of it. He has a plan for us and it is still in place. The Epistles affirm it.

God is with us.

The Christian leader and theologian Ian Barclay explained it as God dwelling with us: The root of the Bible word is God ‘pitching His tent with us.’

Loosely translated, that’s the same as God Zooming with us, God Skyping with us.

So when we meet as a church or small group by electronic means, He is still with us in the same way as if we were together.

This was brought home to me by the beautiful way His Holy Spirit was with us on Sunday at Chroma. Just a few at the centre. Thousands on line. And most importantly of all, God with us.

We have a God who Zooms.

Words of Truth in a Time of Fear

He’s got you. And He’s not letting go.

He knows when you sit down and when you get up. He knows what you’re thinking and wants you to know He is protecting you. In fact He’s got you hemmed in with his love and kindness. He is your refuge – you are sheltered under His wings.

There’s a path set out for you and nothing is going to push you off track. No sickness or virus can be greater than His purposes for you. He restores health and heals wounds. He delivers you from the deadly pandemic. He has already rescued you from dead-end alleys and dark dungeons.

He knew you before you were born; chosen before the foundation of the world. He formed you – you are wonderfully made. You were chosen by Him before your first breath. He made you, loved you and wanted you as His child. You are wanted and loved; you are not a mistake or a surprise.

He has blessed you with every spiritual blessing. You are chosen, predestined, adopted, redeemed, forgiven. He took all the broken and dislocated pieces of your life and fixed them together in vibrant harmonies. Grace has been lavished on you. He has sealed you with his Holy Spirit within you. His Spirit in you confirms who you really are.

Don’t be anxious about your life. He cares for the sparrow – how much greater is His care for you! He clothes the fields with beauty – how much more will he care for you and clothe you! You are not forgotten. On the contrary, he knows all about you, even to the number of hairs on your head.

His plans for you are good – you have a hope and a future with Him. He has abundant life for you. This resurrection life you received from God is not a timid, grave-tending life. It's adventurously expectant. His thoughts are for you and are more than the sands of the sea.

Where could you go? He’s there – wherever you go.

He’s got you. And He’s not letting go.

If you have a Christian faith, every word above applies to you. If you are on a spiritual journey, every word written can also be true for you.

The words are from the Bible: Psalm 139, Ephesians 1, Psalm 91, Deuteronomy 7:15, Jeremiah 29:11, 30:17, John 10:10, Colossians 1:13, 18-20, Romans 8:15-17, Luke 12:6, Matthew 6: 25-31.

Take time to think on them. In this time of fear and pandemics, allow the truth to bring assurance.

Turn off the phone and tv. Find a comfy chair in a quiet corner. Read aloud the Bible words set out above. And let God’s blessing rest on you.

And remember. He’s got you. And he’s not letting go.