It's noisy. We understand you. In a moment like this, we will hear and see many things that may contradict each other, contradict everything we know, contradict some of our former beliefs. The strong fear and panic come precisely from the fact that we are in an unfamiliar, rapidly changing, unstable, and dangerous environment. What is true, what is not? What is right, what is not? Who can tell us? Before we seek answers from the most reliable and trustworthy source of information — God's word, it is good to clarify from the very beginning that we, at the Bulgarian Bible Society, are not trying to interpret the Bible for you in the current extraordinary situation, but simply want to direct our attention to some fundamental truths. (1 John 2:27)
- We don't know all the answers, but we are convinced that there is One who knows them even before we have asked our questions.
"Even before a word is on my tongue, Lord, you know it completely." (Psalm 139:4*)
"As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." (Isaiah 55:9*)
- The only beneficial fear that can yield good fruit in our lives is reverence before God, which is expressed in this: not to sin against Him and our neighbors.
"The fear of the Lord leads to life; then one rests content, untouched by trouble." (Proverbs 14:26-27*)
"Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe." (Proverbs 29:25*)
- Love for God is fearless; it is manifested by following His commands and loving our neighbors. Love does no harm to a neighbor.
"There is no fear in love. Perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. We love because He first loved us. Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen." (1 John 4:18-20*)
"In fact, this is love for God: to keep His commands. And His commands are not burdensome." (1 John 5:3*)
"Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law." (Romans 13:10)
- The Lord is near us, nothing is beyond His control.
"Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:5-7*, the bold font is ours)
"The Lord is King forever and ever!" (Psalm 10:16a*)
Our Lord Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. (Hebrews 13:8*) His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom (Daniel 3:33*), His sovereignty is over all things and every danger. He saves and restores, makes paths in the wilderness, "calls into being things that were not." (Romans 4:17*) Our life is hid with Christ in God (Colossians 3:3*). We know where we will go one day when our time on this earth comes to an end, but while the Lord keeps us here and now, we have only one goal — to live for His glory, to reveal His love to others, and to "not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." (Galatians 6:9*)
We are praying for all of you and encourage you: in days like these let our primary channel of information be God's word.
The BBS Team
*Biblical quotes are from the Bible, New Translation from the Original Languages © Bulgarian Bible Society 2013.
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