One of the most comforting things in life is having a sympathetic ear, someone who truly cares about your struggles. As believers in Christ Jesus, we are not just blessed, but we are uniquely connected. Our connection is not with a distant deity, but with the Holy Spirit, the Third Person of the Triune Godhead. This divine Presence, who is all-knowing and ever-present, is the One who intimately understands the unspoken groanings of our hearts. The Holy Spirit, who is with us, intercedes for us in our weakness, even when we cannot find the words to pray. In Romans 8:26-27 (ESV) Paul says, “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.”

Have you noticed the increase of lawlessness in the world? Lawlessness, according to the Bible, is otherwise known as “iniquity” or “sin.” When a society ignores the laws set forth by the governing body, lawlessness becomes the result, and chaos ensues. To commit sin is to be lawless; that is, the sinner breaks God’s law. In this way, lawlessness is a rejection of God. The apostle Peter warns, Be on Alert! We are to be respecters of the laws, and fully aware of the spiritual forces causing the chaos in the world. In 1 Peter 5:8-9 (NIV), the apostle instructs the righteous in Christ, “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.”

Peace can be elusive to anyone whose mind is preoccupied with everything but the Lord. We’ve witnessed burnout in those who can’t seem to slow down and step off the Wheel of Life. In his “Song of the Redeemed Judah,” the prophet Isaiah extols the favor God gives to those who trust in Him. “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock…” (Isaiah 26:3-4, ESV). I encourage you today to pause and reflect on your current state.

Why do we allow the worries of life to overtake us in such a way that we are rendered useless to God’s purpose for us? Well, the apostle Paul in his letter to the Philippians provides a perfect solution - Give it to God! In Philippians 4:6-7 he says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Have you ever asked someone, “Hey, how’s your day going?” and they bombard you with a litany of their problems and woes? They’re not necessarily looking for answers or solutions. It’s possible that they’re just hoping for a sympathetic ear. “We are hard pressed on all sides, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body” (2 Corinthians 4:8-10, BSB).

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor" (Luke 4:18-19). An encouraging message from the Lighthouse Keeper, Daphne Collins, to the followers of Jesus Christ on mission to the obedience of The Great Commission.