“Fear not; for I am with thee; be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.”     Isaiah 41:10

“After these things the word of the Lord came unto Abram in a vision saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.”                    Genesis 15:1

“But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter of mine head.”           Psalm 3:3

“The Lord is my strength and my shield: my heart trusted in him, and I am helped; therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him. The Lord is their strength, and he is the saving strength of his anointed.”                 Psalm 28:7-8

“And Moses said unto the people, Fear not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord”                     Ex. 14:13

Jesus stated, “And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”                  Mt. 10:28

“Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”               Luke 12:32

“Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me….”            John 14:1-2

A host of other passages could be given that all teach the same thing—the faithful should have unwavering confidence and trust in God. He is the only one you can trust completely.

No matter how much a person “intends” to keep their word; there are circumstances beyond their control. But with God it is never like that. We always know that He can fulfill what He has promised. We know that whatever He requires is for our good always and that His will—will always be done (Is. 55:11).

Like Paul we can with confidence say, “For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I’ve committed unto him against that day.” (no fear and no doubt ML)                                   2 Tim. 1:12

We are God’s children and as such He is our loving and protective Father. “For we received not the spirit of bondage again unto fear; but ye received the spirit of adoption, whereby we cry Abba, Father.”  Rom. 8:15

May God grant us the clarity of thought to always have the utmost trust in Him (Prov. 3:5). And to never let godless men lead us from obeying and trusting God (2 Tim. 4:1-5).

I have been shocked to see how many preachers, elders and congregations who have taught the truth for years; turn their backs on a most basic Christian doctrines (assembling and worshipping on the first day of the week—(Heb. 10:25; Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 11:20; 1 Cor. 16:1-2 et. al). Then begin to do mental gymnastics to convince themselves that they are worshipping “together” – separately. Novel doctrines require novel definitions (2 Pet. 3:16).

They claim to be worshipping virtually. To be “virtually saved” is still to be lost. To be “virtually faithful” to your spouse is still to be guilty of adultery. To virtually worship is still to fail to actually worship as God prescribed which renders the entire charade a vain activity (Mt. 15:7-9).

Many of these same men and churches have for a generation stood strongly against “children’s church;” “house churches,” and other split assemblies. Several who now hide in their houses on Sunday’s wrote tracts, books, manuscripts and preached strong lessons against such.  I pray they will repent and once again stand for the truth. If their pride (and irrationality) fails to yield; they will never again be able to preach as they once did without feeling (and being) hypocritical. 

 The same medical complex that argued in the 80’s that AIDS wasn’t connected to homosexual activity (Dr. Fauci in particular). The same godless doctors; psychiatrists; CDC and politicians who argue that; (1) transgenderism is normal and should be celebrated (2) homosexual marriage is just as fulfilling and wholesome as heterosexual (3) that homosexual couples can rear children with the same benefits and development as heterosexual couples can. That same medical complex that hasn’t said one word in opposition to abortion clinics and liquor stores being open; but voiced concerns about churches meeting, has been bowed to by supposed Christians.

If these “professionals” were truly about saving American lives; they would push every day for the cessation of cigarette sales (480,000 actually die every year). They would pound the pulpit to outlaw alcohol (88,000 deaths per year). I’m not trying to say these individuals are intentionally hypocritical—but none-the less– they are. But the rapidity with which so man who PROFESS to trust God turned their backs on Him is shocking. 

 These godless hell bound non-believers (the doctors/politicians mentioned above) do not believe churches are essential services. From the biblical position the church services are the most essential of all services. Almost every church of Christ that has closed its doors did so voluntarily BEFORE and or INSPITE of what their governors actually said. In Texas Gov. Abbot clearly endorsed churches meeting as always with the suggestion of trying to maintain 6’ distance for now. And that is what the faithful are doing. May God grant you (if you are in the number who have buckled to FEAR and FALACIOUS arguments “to forsake the assembling of yourselves together”) a penitent heart and full forgiveness upon praying for it. May we all once again stand for ALL the truth—not just for the convenient and easy parts.                  Michael Light