These are difficult times. The news media not only shows us what is happening locally, but also nationally and world wide. And nearly everything they report is negative. There are also many social pressures against morality and a Christ-like walk. But we do have help: the Lord. Phillipians 4:13: "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."

Christ identifies with our problems. He also lived in human form and felt human pain and sorrow. Yet he willingly walked the Calvary road to a painful crucifixion? Yes, because he cares for us. He cares that we be helped in times of need, that we be strengthened, that we are encouraged, to direct us in paths of righteousness, that we be victorious in this life and receive eternal life and the rewards in the hereafter.

Christ is King...today! There's no need to wait for a coming millennium reign. At the last supper (Luke 22:18) Jesus said, "I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come." In Acts 10:40 & 41, we read about after he was resurrected. "Him God raised up on the third day, and shewed him openly: not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead." Christ's resurrection ushered in the Kingdom of God.

On Palm Sunday, people were anticipating Christ as a political king. Jesus never intended to govern in that manner. Luke 17:20 & 21, "And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the Kingdom of God should come, Jesus answered them and said, the Kingdom of God cometh not with observation: Neither shall they say, Lo, Here! or Lo, there! For, behold, the Kingdom of God is within you."

At the time of the crucifixion, Jesus was willing, that salvation would be made available to all. The disciples felt devastated, their hopes destroyed. Jesus was not made king, he was killed. The situation appeared impossible. In some ways, this can be likened to some of our own situation. Sometimes we can feel overwhelmed and almost hopeless from the evil and moral decay all around us, sickness, financial problems...many different stresses.

It reminds me of my first flight. It was December and the weather was dark and foreboding. I had a very real fear of flying, but God spoke peace to the storm within me. Even as we passed through the storm clouds outside the plane, I had peace. King Jesus' Holy Spirit will minister to us while we are in the midst of our storm. Stormy times are when we most need to exercise faith and put trust in our Savior. Just as the plane lifted me through the storm and into sunshine, if we cling to Jesus, exercise our faith, trust in him through the most difficult situation, he will carry us through. He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:6 & 7, "Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: casting all your care upon him: for he careth for you."

Faith...Hebrews 11:1, "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. " It is through storms, when we don't see evidence of the things hoped for and prayed for, that faith in the King of kings can sustain us. God has promised to work all things together for the good of his people. Romans 8:28, "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose."

We must hold fast until victory. The enemy (Satan) plagued Job by destroying his health, wealth and more. But in the end, God blessed his faithfulness, granting him more than he had before. The advantage of old age is being able to see how the Lord has worked. He has seen me through a near-fatal illness, the death of a child, an overtly rebellious teenager, the abuse of a daughter and her children by her husband, and the destruction of another daughter's freedom of will by a Bible-based cult leader. God in his faithfulness, however, has delivered me and my children. I've had my share of blessings, some even in times of great stress.

There are two major keys that help me to cope. The first key is to be willing to accept what I cannot change. Jesus prayed in the garden of Gethsemane, (Luke 22:42 & 43) "'Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine be done' and there appeared an angel unto him from heaven strengthening him." We won;t always understand why God allows some things; we need the willingness to accept what we cannot change and a sincere desire that his will be done. He will strengthen us. In Jesus humanness, he would rather not live through the torture and crucifixion, but in his spirit, he wanted God's will. It was best that way. Even as the angel ministered to Jesus, he has promised not to leave us comfortless; he has sent the Holy Spirit as a comforter.

The second key is summed up in Phillipians 4:4-8. "Don't worry about anything: instead, pray about everything: tell God your needs and don't forget to thank him for his answers. If you do this you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will keep your thoughts and your hearts quiet and at rest as you trust in Christ Jesus. And now brothers as I close this letter let me say this one more thing: Fix your thoughts on what is true and good and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely, and dwell on the fine, good things about others. Think about all that you can praise God for and be glad about."

Christ is risen! He is King!
      He cares
            He'll see us through
                  He gives us peace and the garment of praise to lift our hearts
                         He's prepared a place for us where there will be no more tears

Let us have faith and trust and cling to the promises of our King!