COVID-19 Novel Encouragement Sample

WHAT ARE YOU TRUSTING IN?

What would you write if you were an apostle and you had to encourage people who had run from their home towns because they were being hunted down, fed to wild animals and burned at the stake by a crazy emperor who was blaming the burning down of sections of Rome on you? How would you motivate them, how would you encourage them to stand strong in their faith in dark times?

Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To God’s elect, exiles scattered throughout the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance. Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith - of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire - may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 1 Peter 1:1-7

Peter uses a few key words that are helpful for us today.

Chosen
Peter reminds them that they have been chosen to be obedient to God (v. 2). There’s something wonderful when we are chosen to be on a sports team, for a job application, to represent our company or organization at an event. It shows that those choosing us believe we are capable of doing the job.

Hope / Inheritance
Peter reminds them of the hope that they have because of the inheritance they have received through what Jesus did (v. 4). He reminds them that it’s waiting in heaven for them, the implication could be that even if they were to die, it’s still there waiting for them.

Happiness vs. Joy
Happiness depends on circumstances going our way but joy depends on who God is. Peter acknowledges that they are rejoicing in trials (v. 6). There’s a great story of prisoners in WWII, suffering terribly, but still rejoicing in God and still reaching out to their fellow prisoners. The movie’s name is Bridge on the River Kwai. Maybe use some of your unexpected free time this week to watch it.

Trials reveal our real faith level
Peter reminds them that trials are simply tests that show us where our faith really is. We know that James wrote that we should rejoice when trials come because they can cause our faith to grow.

Wherever you are today, take a few minutes and think through these questions.

1. How have you been chosen to represent God in China at a time like this? He must see something in you that perhaps you cannot see. Let’s represent Him well.

2. Are you putting your hope in God to keep you safe during this time, or are you looking elsewhere for your safety and security?

3. Is your happiness based on who Christ is in our lives or are we anxious because of the situation we are in right now?

4. How is your faith doing at this time? Is it passing this temporary test? Is it causing others to praise Him more?

5. What would you write to the believers in Wuhan today? What would you say to encourage them?

By Pastor Brad Warne

Suzhou International Fellowship