Dear First Pres,

   Just about all of us know someone who is being directly impacted by the Creek Fire. My cousin, Carol, and her family live on the ridge just at the top of the 168 four-lane. They don’t know for sure, but their home is very likely devastated. All they can do, just like so many others, is wait. Obviously, there have been several fires throughout California (and now up and down the whole west coast), but this one is close to home. 

   Sometimes, in seasons of great loss, it can feel like God is absent. With the writers of Scripture, we cry out, “How long, O Lord?” “Where are you, God?” “Have mercy, God!” And sometimes all we hear is silence. That’s why I’m so grateful for the Psalms that show us we can cry out to God with all our raw emotions and concerns, while also reminding us what is true about God. 

   This past Sunday I encouraged us to pray the dangerous prayer from the end of Psalm 139, “Search me.” But today I want to remind you not to pray that prayer without the rest of the Psalm. The rest of the Psalm reminds us that even in the midst of a season of pressure, loss, and/or adversity God knows us, God is with us, and God created us with a heavenly purpose. That’s why we can trust Him to reveal our motives, fears, and sins. That’s why we can trust Him even when it seems like our lives are being plucked of normalcy. That’s why we can trust Him even when we have lost so much. That’s why we can trust Him even when it feels like the world is against us. 

   So, may the Lord encourage us all today to trust in Him. May Psalm 20:7 be true of us: “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord my God.” And as we surrender to God and trust in Him, may the Lord lead us in the way everlasting.

   Of course, one of the best ways for us to grow in trust is to seek the Lord in prayer. Starting on Monday, several churches in Fresno/Clovis will be aligning our hearts in a week of prayer and fasting for our cities. It starts on Monday, September 14 and ends on Saturday, September 19. Would you join me and thousands of other believers in our area to fast and pray specifically for our Valley next week? You can find information about the daily city-wide prayer gatherings and the prayer themes for the week on our website. Plus, we’ll be sending a daily prayer guide to encourage everyone to pray according to our daily emphases.

Blessings,
Pastor Jeremy

P.S. According to the data I’m seeing, we’re beginning to trend in the right direction with COVID-19 in Fresno County. Praise God! I encourage you to stay diligent in doing your part to help our community get through this pandemic as soon as possible. Be wise, Beloved.