“FEAR NOT, FOR I AM WITH YOU”
Isaiah 41:10
So much has happened in this last year. It is easy to see why so many people are afraid. 2009-2010 was the worst winter in recent memory with heavy snow blanketing the country, even in the South. Spring and summer have been marred by drought in some areas and heavy flooding in others. Whether it’s a blizzard in Washington, DC, the Flood of the Century in Nashville, TN, or tornadoes from Arizona to Arkansas to Brooklyn, NY, the weather has been chaotic. That doesn’t even take into account the terrible oil spill in the Gulf or the devastating earthquake in nearby Haiti that is still bringing death through flooding and disease months later. Add to that the millions who have lost their jobs, the many thousands of businesses and homes that are in foreclosure, the roller coaster on Wall Street, the drug war in Mexico that threatens our border states, and the most contentious mid-term elections in recent history. It is no wonder that men’s hearts are being overcome with fear in these perilous times.
But God Himself speaks into our circumstances with a command and a promise. “Fear not.” “Don’t be afraid.” He knows how easily we tend to give in to our emotions. So He tells us not to give in to fear. He also gives us the reason why – “for I am with you.” When we know that God is with us, we can face any challenge as an opportunity – an opportunity to grow in our walk with the Lord and an opportunity for Jesus Christ to show Himself mighty in our behalf. Yes, times are tough and they are probably going to get a lot tougher. But we do not have to be afraid because we have the promise of Emmanuel, “God With Us”.
I believe God is speaking to America. He is trying to get our attention. That is the reason for the upheaval in the weather. The Scriptures say that in the last days perilous times will come and that men’s hearts will fail them because of what they see coming upon the Earth. It tells us there will be earthquakes in diverse places and it will be a time of great sorrow. Not only is the US economy in trouble but we are also beginning to see the economies of the world collapse with riots in Greece, France, the UK, and elsewhere.
God has shown me His heart for America, that He is weeping over America just as He wept over Jerusalem. He has given me one special promise to pass on to you. Just as the plagues came upon Egypt when God delivered the children of Israel out of bondage, so God is sending judgment upon the nations that have turned their backs on Him. In Egypt, the first plagues fell on everyone. But beginning with the flies, God said He would make a difference. From that point on, none of the plagues came upon the children of Israel as long as they stayed in the land of Goshen. In the same way, God’s children today will be under His divine protection as long as they stay in the “Land of Goshen”, close to Him and hidden under the shelter of His wings (Psalm 91:1). We still have the promise of II Chronicles 7:14 that “If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from Heaven, I will forgive their sins, and I will heal their land.” Every promise of God comes with an “if”. “If you will, I will. If you don’t, I won’t”.
In the Philippines
The work in the Philippines has gone through a time of trial and testing but the ministry continues to stand. We have had to make a change in the leadership team there. Allan Asang who was our Philippines Director has had to step down because of personal problems. Please remember him and his family in your prayers. His older brother Albert Asang who headed up the Bible schools and church planting ministry has stepped up and taken over the leadership and is doing a tremendous job. He has already shown himself faithful and we believe the work will continue on stronger than before.
Because of the failing economy in America, many of you have been unable to give financially as you would like, but we are so grateful that you continue to support our efforts with your prayers. The new leadership on Mindanao has tried to be good stewards and is doing everything they can to help the ministry there to become more self supporting. Under Albert’s leadership, we have been able to buy land in the tribal area for a community center. Food grown at the center can provide for the Bible schools and help support pioneer pastors in their church planting efforts. Classes continue at four Bible schools in four different regions of Mindanao. The teachers are traveling to the areas to train the workers to cut down on the cost of bringing the students to a central location to receive the training. We thank God for faithful workers with a burden to reach those who are hearing the Gospel for the first time.
In America
We praise God for His faithfulness as we have traveled throughout the South and the Midwest this year, calling the Church in America back to her First Love. We have been blessed as we have ministered to God’s people in churches large and small throughout this great nation. There are so many pastors and church people who are discouraged and ready to quit but there are even more who are laying hold of the promises of God and standing in the gap for this nation. Words cannot express our appreciation for the thousands of Believers who have fasted and prayed for the mid-term elections and for this nation to turn back to God in repentance and faith.
There is a great danger in the days ahead. Many will be tempted to look at the election as a done deal and turn to other things until 2012 when the presidential primaries begin. There is a saying about success – “What got you there is what will keep you there.” It is not enough just to pray that godly leaders will be elected. We need to pray for our government leaders that God will give them wisdom as they govern. We need to pray for President Obama, our Senators, our Congressmen, our Governors, our state legislatures, and our local authorities, whether or not our candidates were the winners on November 2. (See Romans 13:1-7; I Timothy 2:1-4)
Pray that those who were elected will look to the Lord for wisdom. Pray that God will keep His hand of protection on America and that He will turn the hearts of our leaders to do the right things. Pray that our government leaders will turn to God, for many of them do not have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Even if they don’t, God is still able to work through them, for God’s Word says that “The heart of the king is in the hand of the Lord…and He turns it wherever He wishes.” (Proverbs 21:1)
It doesn’t matter if you think President Obama is a Christian, a Muslim, or an atheistic communist. He needs your prayers. Nebuchadnezzar was a leader who worshipped pagan gods. He did not fear God or man, yet God was able to humble him and turn him around. Pray for God’s hand of protection on President Obama and on the Secret Service agents who protect him. We are called to speak life to him, never death. Whether you agree with his politics or not, you have a responsibility to lift him up in prayer.
Pray for the churches across America that pastors will be bold and courageous to preach the Word of God without fear or compromise. Pray that Believers will draw closer to Jesus Christ than ever before, loving Him with all their hearts and loving people in His name, living in a way that glorifies God and points the lost to Jesus as the only hope for America and the world.
The battle for the soul of America is both spiritual and political. If we ignore either one to focus on the other, we will lose this battle. That is why we must pray and vote. Pray and contact our government representatives on matters that affect the spiritual and moral atmosphere of this nation. Let your voice be heard in Heaven and in Washington, DC (or your state capital, county courthouse, city hall, or school board meeting, depending on the issue at hand). As Christians we are citizens of Heaven first but we should also be good citizens of our nation, state, and community. May God help us to always set a godly example for those around us.
Looking Ahead
We ask for your prayers for us as well. We are sensing a need to return to both Romania and the Philippines this coming year to strengthen our Brothers and Sisters because of the great challenges they also will be facing in the months ahead because of turmoil within the European Union as well as in Southeast Asia. Pray that God will provide the financial resources necessary at the proper time to make such a journey possible.
Jesus is Emmanuel, God With Us, and His presence will sustain us in the turbulent days ahead. He is our Peace, no matter what storms may come. He is our Joy, no matter what challenges we face. He is Love, the perfect love that casts out all fear. In Him, we will always walk in victory. Draw close to Him and hear Him say, “Fear not, for I am with you.” The commandment of Genesis 1:28 is more relevant today than ever. “…Be fruitful, and multiply, fill the Earth, and subdue it…” Now is not the time to hide in fear. Now is the time to rise up in resurrection power, to fill the Earth with His praises, and to take dominion over the forces of darkness in His name, “for the LORD our God is with us”!
Blessings!
Howard & Barbara Gard