Peace for Today – Sunday School Outline

This morning I want to take a few minutes and encourage you.

These are unsettling times we’re in.

In some ways it seems like the whole world has gone upside down.

Store shelves are bare, people are getting really sick, the stock market has crashed, and all kinds of things are going on.

Yet in the midst of this, we serve a God who sees all this.

None of it takes Him by surprise.

None of it is out of His reach or control.

I’ve heard people ask why God is allowing this pandemic.

The truth is, I don’t really know but I’ll tell  you what I do know.

He is God,

He is still on the throne.

He knows what is going on, and if He’s allowing it then there’s a reason.

Instead of second guessing Him or trying to figure out why, we should focus on trusting Him in the midst of it.

Here’s the thing, if we are His child, which we are if we are Christians, then we don’t have to worry.

We don’t have to be afraid.

What we can do instead is turn to Him for comfort. 

One of my favorite verses is Psalm 91:4. (NIV)

It says:

     He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

There’s so much truth in that verse. 

When we trust Him we can find refuge, comfort and safety under His wings.

It’s not a place where we hide in the shadows while our knees knock with fear.

Remember, He did not give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7)

Under His wing is a place where we are comforted and safe and can stay without fear.

Have you ever seen a mama hen gather all her chicks together under her wing and protect them? They snuggle in close to her side and get all cozy.

They know they are safe and protected there.

It’s the same principle.

Praying, studying Scripture, meditating on it, choosing to Trust Him, even when we don’t understand, are afraid, or are struggling to believe – that’s what keeps us tucked under His wing.

When we choose to get close to Him and look to Him to protect and comfort us, He does!

This safe place under His wing is a place where we can, as Psalm 63:7 says, sing and rejoice.

The NIV says it like this:

     Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.(NIV)

The KJV says 7 Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice.

There’s just something about praising Him that melts away our fear and anxiety.

It rights our ship and brings things back into proper focus.

We have so many things to be thankful for.

Spending a few minutes thanking and praising Him will put our mind back on Him and off the world, which will allow us to feel His peace.

 

This virus thing is going to be here for several weeks, maybe even a few months but that does NOT mean we have to spend that time living in fear or dread.

Don’t be upset about people hoarding things from the store.

Instead, pray for them.

They aren’t placing their trust in God, they’re placing it in things.

So many people are so scared right now it’s a good time to be telling them about Christ, to be telling them how God can take care of them.

It’s the perfect time to point them to the only one who can protect, comfort, and save them.

I encourage you to take this time to reach out to people and comfort them with the truth of God’s love.

 

No matter how long it takes, what happens to the world or this country, God is still on the throne, He is still in control, He still loves us.

We need to stay focused on serving Him, worshiping Him, and trusting Him, not just where the virus is concerned but in all the areas of our lives.

We serve a Risen Savior, let’s focus on that, not on what’s going on in the world.

I encourage you to stay tucked up under His wing.

Keep praying, digging in Scripture, and trusting Him.

We serve a mighty God who loves us, sees, us and cares about us.

He is our safe place.

So, run to Him with everything on your heart and trust that He sees you, He cares, He loves you!

 

 

This week’s homework –
Spend a few minutes alone asking the Lord to calm your heart and to help you look to Him during this time.

Ask Him to show you where you need to trust Him more.

Ask Him for whatever it is you need – peace, supplies, wisdom, or whatever you need. Then, wait and watch for Him to direct and help you.

Thank Him that He is there for you and can be trusted to supply all your needs, both physical and spiritual, according to His riches in glory (Philippians 4:19) NIV

 

 

Memory verse –
 3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in Thee. Isaiah 26:3

 

A list of all available lessons can be found on my Lessons Outlines page

Free Downloadable/Printable PDF of this Lesson Peace for Today – Lesson Outline PDF