“For all the promises of God in Him (Jesus Christ) are Yes, and in Him Amen to the glory of God…”  2 Corinthians 1:20
 
All the promises of God!  And what are some of the promises we can turn to in painful times such as now?  Here we are in quarantine, lockdown, forced isolation--what ever word you may choose--we look to God for all that we need as He is teaching us at this time in history.
 
Remember that God is at work in His children to conform us to the image of His Son.
“For we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.  
For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the first born of many brethren.”  Romans 8:28-29
(Read Vs. 30-39 to see how blessed and secure we are in God’s love for His own.)
 
So what do we know of God’s promises in painful times?
 
*God loves us!  
“Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called the children of God…”  1 John 3:1
 
Scripture also tells us,
“For whom the Lord loves He chastens,
And scourges every one He receives.
If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom the father (our dads) does not chasten?”   Hebrews 12:6-7
 
*God gives hope!
“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seem, but at the things that are not seen.  For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.”
2 Corinthians 4:17-18
 
*God sharpens our awareness of His ways:
“‘For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways,’  says the Lord.”  Isaiah 55:8 
 
“For as the heavens are high above the earth,
So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him;
As far as the east is from the west, 
So far has He removed our transgressions from us.”  Psalm 103:11-12
 
*God will never forsake us!
We may feel alone during these time BUT we are not!
“And the LORD, He is the one who goes before you, He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear or be dismayed.”  Deuteronomy 31:8
 
“…For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’  
So we may boldly say:
    ‘The LORD is my helper:
     I will not fear.
     What can man do to me?’”  Hebrews 13:5-6    
 
In all our painful times the Lord is doing a mighty work in each one of us.  So we are to fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith!
 
The Apostle Paul tells us in Philippians 1:6 that he is confident that,
“…He who has begun a good work in you will complete it…” 
 
It is God who is at work in each of us during these hard/painful  times to accomplish just that!  Thank you Lord for your great love, hope, teaching and ever presence!  We love and adore you!  And we give all the glory to you.  
 
Psalm 145:8-10
“The LORD is gracious and full of compassion,
Slow to anger and great in mercy.
The LORD is good to all,
And His tender mercies are over all His works.
All Your works shall praise You, O LORD,
And Your saints shall bless You.”
 
Amen