The whole world has been on guard against COVID-19. Face masks, social distancing, and empty shelves of Vitamin C show how seriously many are taking this threat. Unfortunately, not only are we on guard, many are dogged by fear and worry.

Worrying about our livelihood seems natural in light of mass pay cuts, lost jobs, and closed businesses. And with people still sick and dying, it’s expected that we should feel concern over our health.

Yet, when Jesus addresses these areas, He turns the issues upside down. He tells us not to worry about our lives and livelihoods and to be on guard against issues most of us don’t consider threats. By reframing the things of earth in light of heaven, He shows the remedy to worry lies in an eternal value system. Let’s learn to shed our worries by applying Jesus’ words in Luke 12:1-35.

Be on Your Guard!

Many years ago, my husband and I were traveling through Germany. Listening to people speaking German caused my husband to blurt out the only German word he remembered from “Hogan’s Heroes,” an old TV program set in a German prison camp. Only, he didn’t know what it meant.

“Achtung!” he said with flourish. When people stopped to look, I asked a young German girl what it meant.

“It means, ‘Attention!’”    

When Jesus says, “Be on your guard,” it’s the equivalent of saying, “Attention!” He is alerting us to danger.

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The Psalmist wrote, 

“Be still, and know that I am God!
I will be honored by every nation.
 I will be honored throughout the world” (Psalm 46:10)

The context of this verse makes its message all the more fascinating and appropriate for our times. What a perfect time to heed its meaning.

Before we dive into the context of this verse, let's explore more Scripture that talks about being still.

Exodus 14:14: "The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.”

As Christians, we do not have to fight our battles alone. In fact, we need to depend on God to sustain us in the midst of the most difficult of trials.

Mark 4:39: "And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm."

Even the wind and the waves obey his voice. In the midst of the storm, we may wonder, "Where is God." But we do not need to fear if he will abandon us. He never has and he never will.

Isaiah 32:17: "And the effect of righteousness will be peace, and the result of righteousness, quietness and trust forever."

Have you ever heard of the concept of Shalom? The way things are meant to be? When we trust in the Lord, we experience a taste of Shalom. Shalom means stillness, means righteousness, and everlasting trust.

Now that we've explored some verses on being still, let's talk about what the Psalmist meant above.

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Have you ever worried about dying? Have you wondered what happens to a loved one when they pass away? Every spring, colorful bulbs and budding trees replace the deadness of winter and proclaim the hope of resurrection. Let’s look at three ways Easter transforms how we look at death. 

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Author Hal Lindsey said, “Man can live about forty days without food, about three days without water, about eight minutes without air… but only for one second without hope.” Hope not only affects how we live, it determined whether or not some people survived such atrocities as concentration camps.

So, how is your hope? Does it bounce back after being hit? Or does it pop like a balloon lanced by a pin? On what is your hope based?

The Bible shows us that people of faith are people of hope. That makes sense, doesn’t it? Those who trust God have more reason for hope than those who don’t. But problems without visible solutions test the faith and challenge the hope of even the most devout.

The Bible says to encourage each other every day (Hebrews 4:13). So here are 10 biblical truths to refresh your hope.

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