By Michael Hernandez
NEWBURY PARK—“Hear my cry, O God; attend to my prayer,” said Godspeak Calvary Chapel Pastor Rob McCoy reading from Psalm 61:1-2, ‘From the end of the earth I will cry to You, when my heart is overwhelmed; lead me to the rock that is higher than I.’
“We are called to pray for kings and those in authority so that we might live peaceful lives. We need to be calm and rest in the strength of the Lord. When King David had to leave Jerusalem and go into the wilderness (as he fled his son Absalom) he appealed to God, will you attend to my prayer?” said Pastor McCoy.
“When you feel there is no hope and are at the limit of your wisdom, your ability, when there is confusion—King David goes to God in prayer; not the internet, not social media, not news, not our friends, God wants us to come to Him.
“When you are worried about the rent, about the mortgage, about your job, when you are overwhelmed in something: 1) the virus pandemic 2) economic stress 3) devaluation of the stock market 4) business (closures) 5) tourism industry (being) non-existent 6) trust in government leaders is suspect; when we don’t know up or down; we need firm footing as seen in Matthew 7:24-27 (the parable of two builders) the wise man who built his house on the rock vs. the foolish man who built his house on the sand.
“After 9-11 our churches were full now we are attacked and our churches are empty. But we can be like King David and abide in this place of protection. We can trust in the Lord and find shelter under His wings. This is the God of the universe that loves you. He is our strong tower.
“We need to understand that God is for us and not against us. God wants us to turn to Him. How long is this going to take us? None of this caught God by surprise. Does God have our attention?
“Beauty is our sand, reputation is our sand, popularity is our sand. Career is our sand. Health is our sand. Talent is our sand. This virus has eroded the sand of our lives and we are overwhelmed. God wants to know, are you ready to run to Him—this high tower; this rock—the one who has never left you.
“I would like to close with Numbers 6:24-26: ‘The Lord bless you and keep you; he Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace.”
Approximately 333 viewers watched the 11 a.m. live stream Godspeak Calvary service which at the end of the service featured a short children’s message from Tammie Shuett. (Editor’s Note: Pastor Rob McCoy can also be viewed every night of the week at 7 p.m. doing a “Fireside Chat” looking at the coronavirus with a Biblical perspective.)
Michael Hernandez, Co-Founder of the Citizens Journal—Ventura County’s online news service; editor of the History Makers Report and founder of History Makers International—a community nonprofit serving youth and families in Ventura County, is a former Southern California daily newspaper journalist and religion and news editor. He worked 25 years as a middle school teacher in Monrovia and Los Angeles Unified School Districts. Mr. Hernandez can be contacted by email at [email protected].
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