Enduring Tough Times (Joyfully?)
This bible study was originally posted in March 2020
Listening to the daily COVID-19 news brings me great hope but also great sadness. The inspiring words of those on the forefront fighting this disease often help, but the words of Scripture bring lasting hope.
So here is your Coronavirus Bible Study entitled: “Enduring Tough Times (Joyfully?)”
I encourage you to take 60 minutes over the next few days to study “Tough Times” from the Bible yourself. You are busy helping others (good!), but let the Scriptures help you too! Then you can help others even more.
Invite your people to do this study too.
Take 60 minutes to meditate prayerfully on these Scriptures about difficulties and fearful times. Jot notes of what stands out to you. May God enable us to encourage others.
Psalm 23:1-6
Psalm 27:13-14
Psalm 37:1-8
Psalm 55:22
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”
Psalm 93:1; 97:1; 99:1 “The Lord reigns…” (If so, why is there suffering?)
Psalm 138:6-8
Psalm 139:13-18
Isaiah 41:10, 13
Matthew 5:13-16
Matthew 6:27-34
John 14:27; 16:33
Romans 5:3-5
Romans 8:28 (An easy cop-out? What good might result from this present difficulty?)
Philippians 1:6; 2:12-16
Philippians 4:4-8 (What to think about!)
Colossians 3:15-16
2 Thessalonians 3:16
James 1:2-4 (Note: There is no “it” in verse 2 of the original language.)
1 Peter 1:6-8
1 Peter 2:20
1 Peter 4:1, 12-13
1 Peter 4:8-9
1 Peter 5:6-10
“We need have no fear of Someone who loves us perfectly. His perfect love for us eliminates all dread of what He might do to us. If we are afraid, it is for fear of what He might do to us and shows that we are not fully convinced that He really loves us.”
“He does not fear bad news, nor live in dread of what might happen. For he is settled in his mind that Jehovah will take care of him.”
Whisper the words, “In the midst of tough times…” before reading each line of Psalm 100:
Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth.
Serve the Lord with gladness; come before Him with joyful singing.
Know that the Lord Himself is God; it is He who made us and not we ourselves;
We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.
Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him, bless His name.
The Lord is good; His loving kindness is everlasting and His faithfulness to all generations.
“To whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.”
TAKEAWAY: What is God saying to me from these scriptures?
