Your Finest Hour

“Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.”

James 1:2-3  


I was writing this morning and looking out the window enjoying the sound of the rain and a quote I recently read came to mind, “Before the fruits of prosperity can come, the storms of life need to first bring the required rains of testing, which mixes with the seeds of wisdom to produce a mature harvest.” As the United States braces itself for what might prove to be the worst storm yet with regard to the Coronavirus outbreak I am reminded of another time in our nations history where pretty much everyone in America was glued to their television sets watching and praying as NASA was dealing with the explosion onboard the Apollo 13 spacecraft that left it crippled in space as it was running out of oxygen.

Dozens and dozens of space engineers worked tirelessly around the clock looking for a way to get the three crew members on board home. It was touch and go for a few days. At one point when it appeared they might lose the crew and the space capsule out in space the NASA Director speaking to the men directly under his command said, “This could be the worst disaster NASA's ever experienced. Gene Kranz who was the flight director of Apollo 13 responded, “With all due respect, sir, I believe this is gonna be our finest hour.” And guess what, it was, as they brought the entire crew safely home!

In light of all the negative outcomes we are facing in our country this week due to COVID-19, I believe looking back in the years to come at your life and mine this week will prove to be one of our most finest hours! Have you ever had someone close to you say, “if you can go through that you can handle anything” as a compliment as they watched you go through a trial that maybe even they didn’t think you could handle it like you did? I know you have what it takes to get through not only this week ahead but all the way through this coronavirus pandemic.

As a matter of fact I believe you can handle anything this life throws at you for the simple fact that God is with you and your bible and mine tells us, we can do all things through Christ Jesus who strengthens us. The apostle Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 10 that God never gives us more than we can handle because God gives us His strength and power to endure any trial we face. As we read in the book of James we need to recall to our minds frequently that the trials God allows each of us to endure is to make us not to brake us. Be strong today, loved one, in the Lord and in the power of His might. Say to yourself today, “I am going to be so full of Jesus today that if a mosquito were to bite me it would fly away singing, “There is power, power, wonder working in power in the precious blood of the Lamb.”

Remember, loved one, you are not alone! God is with you and your brothers and sisters in Christ are all in this battle together alongside you. You probably know well if not by heart the words of Philippians 4:13 which says, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” but you need to hold on to the words of Philippians 4:14 too, “Nevertheless you have done well that you shared in my distress.” Yes, we are all going through it but we aren’t going through it alone.

This week, maybe more than others in recent memory we need to thank those in our life who have been there for us reminding them and ourselves too the words from Ecclesiastes 4:9-12, “Two are better than one, Because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, For he has no one to help him up. Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; But how can one be warm alone? Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken”.

Most of all, don’t forget, “God’s Got This!”

I LOVE YOU!

Michael Osthimer

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