This was the extraordinary Bible reading for March 18th that appeared in the daily devotional used by the Alltnacriche Team yesterday morning. Nothing takes God by surprise! At Encounter at the weekend just over 100 young people gathered to hear the reassuring words, “Faith Fights Fear” as they read “Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power” (Ephesians 6:10) Amen!
Dig Deep
Young people are afraid – and adults too, if they are honest. Where do they look to? Who will bring them hope? "Where is God in all of this?" they might ask. Our answer? Where He always is – on His throne! As the Scripture Union family, we must do what we always do. We must point people to God’s word and to calling on Him in prayer.
God is in control, through his Son.
He sustains everything by the mighty power of his hand. Hebrews 1:3 (NLT)
God speaks through his creation. Read Psalm 19, Psalm 29.
The Lord sits enthroned above the flood; the Lord is enthroned as King for ever. The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace.
Psalm 29:10
We need to be alert and watchful.
God is unfolding his purposes. History is God’s story, culminating with the return of Christ Jesus as King!
Let us who live in the light be clearheaded, protected by the armour of faith and love, and wearing as our helmet the confidence of our salvation. 1 Thessalonians 5:8
Our vision to help children and young people explore the Bible and respond to the significance of Jesus is undiminished. We are asking you to do two key things: Pray and Witness.
Pray
We have cancelled all our events until the end of May, but God is still at work. We trust in the Holy Spirit, who is more than able to draw people to himself as we pray.
How can we pray, as God’s people? Like Paul did!
- Be thankful. Praise God for who he is and what he has done for us.
- Use the Bible, turning verses into prayer.
- Ask God for wisdom. What is his perspective? He is humbling the nations. He is demonstrating that he alone is God. He is showing that we need him! Pray for a spiritual awakening across the nation, particularly among young people.
- Pray for young people you know.
- for communication that enables SU leaders and youth leaders to stay in touch and strengthen young people
- for a right understanding of the Bible and trust in God alone
- for Christian young people to boldly witness to their peers and not think they ‘don’t have the words to say’
- that young people who are full of fear would know Jesus saying “Peace, be still”
- that this crisis would draw many young people to faith in Christ.
Witness
People’s trust in material things has been swept away overnight. Young people are fretting about exams, jobs, the future. They will be more open than ever to hear words of hope, faith and trust. What can we share that will help strengthen faith? What can we do to share boldly with young people?
Please pray for SU staff and volunteers who are working on creative ways of reaching children and young people. There are significant opportunities on-line and through social media that we ned to explore and exploit.
Excellent free resources, with words straight from the Bible, are available from Lifewords (https://www.lifewords.global/shop/). It is unlikely that we can share physical booklets but why not email or text a verse of Scripture to a friend or post something encouraging on Social Media.
Thank you for your partnership with us.
With every blessing
Andy Bathgate
CEO SU Scotland
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