Say Goodbye to 2020

                 Are you ready to say goodbye to 2020? Are you anticipating a 2021 that holds less life altering crisis, fewer challenges and a smaller number of earth-shattering realities? Personally, I am looking forward to a less disruptive and chaotic 2021. But, let’s not move on too quickly without gleaning a few final lessons from 2020. 

In January of this year, the major news stories were the upcoming election and growing racial tensions. The murder hornets had just arrived. The stock market was just below 29,000 and the unemployment rate was 3.6%. It was shaping up to be, for some, a good year. And then came March 12 – the day the world forever changed. And then came March 12. 

Sometimes, even in the midst of prosperity, life circumstances can change in a moment. And when they change, how we respond reflects our ultimate hope. II Chronicles 31 talks about a period of prosperity under King Hezekiah. 

Thus Hezekiah did throughout all Judah, and he did what was good and right and faithful before the Lord his God. And every work that he undertook in the service of the house of God and in accordance with the law and the commandments, seeking his God, he did with all his heart, and prospered.

Israel was flourishing. The people were at peace. Hezekiah was faithfully leading the people. All was well. But then came II Chronicles 32:1. 

After these things and these acts of faithfulness, Sennacherib king of Assyria came and invaded Judah and encamped against the fortified cities, thinking to win them for himself. 

                    Modern day Sennacheribs take many forms. It may be cancer, an unexpected loss of a job, the betrayal by a spouse, contracting Covid-19 or a host of other unanticipated challenges. Sennacheribs can be decision fatigue, isolation and soul sickness. 

When prosperity turned to pain, Hezekiah responded by going before the Lord, crying out to God in prayer. Isaiah 37:16-20 records Hezekiah’s prayer. 

“O LORD Almighty, God of Israel, enthroned between the cherubim, you alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth. Give ear, O LORD, and hear; open your eyes, O LORD, and see; listen to all the words Sennacherib has sent to insult the living God. “It is true, O LORD, that the Assyrian kings have laid waste all these peoples and their lands. 19 They have thrown their gods into the fire and destroyed them, for they were not gods but only wood and stone, fashioned by human hands. 20 Now, O LORD our God, deliver us from his hand, so that all kingdoms on earth may know that you alone, O LORD, are God.” 

Isaiah responds by turning to the Lord – and the Lord delivered  His people. 2020 should drive every believer to wholeheartedly seek the Lord. The pain of the year must lead Jesus followers to fall on our face before the one who is the source of hope – and reaffirm our belief and trust in his sovereignty, his goodness and his grace. He promises us – we will be blessed (Psalm 144:15).   

2020 has been a year for PastorServe as a ministry to fall on our face before the Lord. And by his grace, we have reached more pastors this year than in the previous twenty years combined. Thank you for being a part of the PastorServe’s vision That No pastor would Walk Alone and our mission to Strengthen the Church by Serving Pastors. 

As 2020 comes to a close, our financial needs are large. We need close to $200,000 to end the year in a strong financial position. I would humbly ask you to consider a generous year end gift to PastorServe. Thank you!! 

Humbled Before Our Gracious Lord,

Jimmy Dodd, Founder and CEO