Greetings, brothers and sisters in Christ and children of God.

How is your stress this week? Was this a calm week for you, or did you experience moments of anxiety or stress? Perhaps you received upsetting news, or something did not go as planned. It is a natural reaction to get stressed or become anxious when plans are forced to change, and you have no control over them. It feels like your whole world got turned upside down, with chaos all around. However, perhaps your week was wonderful and peaceful, but are you prepared for when the peace is broken and chaos enters your life?

Sometimes our faith is tested through chaos, and sometimes the chaos is used to prepare us for something else that we must one day encounter on our journey. We often forget that God is with us in the peaceful times and the chaotic times. When we forget He is there, it is best to just stop what we are doing and come to the Lord in prayer. Certain scriptures should come to mind that will help us focus on the peace of God.

Psalm 46 is one of the songs of the Sons of Korah. They were musicians and descendants of the Levite Korah. The song is about finding God in the midst of chaos. He is our refuge and strength, our haven (46:1). The chaos of the earth giving way and the mountains falling into the sea, causing the waters to roar and surge from the quake of the mountains, should not cause us to fear (46:2-3), for there is a river of peace and a holy place in which God dwells (46:4-5). Nations themselves are in an uproar, and kingdoms are falling, but His dwelling is among us (46:6-7). We are invited to see what the Lord has done as He makes the wars cease and breaks the weapons of destruction (46:8-9). We are called to be still and know that God is with us and is in control of the chaos that we imagine, or that is real before us. He will be exalted among the nations and in the earth (46:10). The Lord Almighty is our fortress (46:11)

God is a refuge for his people against everything actual and imagined. However, when we come face to face with the wars of the enemy, we have a habit of taking our eyes off Jesus, just as Peter did when he stepped out of the boat (Matt 14:27-31).

When we are called to “be still”, we are not to become quiet, but to cease our frantic activity and struggle, so we may rest in God’s calm and gentle presence. We are to “know” or recognize and be aware of His presence by trusting in Him. We must be still before the Lord, and wait patiently for Him (Ps 37:7), for the Lord will fight for you; you have only to be still (Ex 14:14).

Last week, the little lambs did their detective work and found that people around the world can hear God just as Samuel did in 1 Samuel 1-3. Sometimes we do not hear the voice, but when we truly listen, God will speak. This week, the little lambs will investigate if giants really existed as they hear the story of David and Goliath, by studying ancient records, archaeological evidence, and specific details proving that the Bible is real.

I look forward to worshiping with you this week before the Prince of Peace and our Sovereign Lord with songs of praise and dancing before the Lord. If for whatever reason I do not see you, may the Lord bless you with joy, peace, and a cup overflowing with love, and may He heal you, guide you, and comfort you when you are in need.

God bless you,

Your brother in Christ

Michael (aka Mr. Michael)