Pastor Julius Rwotlonyo [Right], and Pastor Edward Mwesigye [Left], at Watoto Church, in the central business district, Kampala. Courtesy Photo.
“I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace. In the world you have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous [be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy]; I have overcome the world.” [My conquest is accomplished, My victory abiding.].” – John 16:33, AMP.
Through the above scripture, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ acknowledges that as Christians we will have troubles or experience tough times in life. According to Pastor Julius Rwotlonyo, some of these troubles – including those instigated by the COVID-19 pandemic – have stretched our faith to a breaking point, propagating fear.
The associate team leader at Watoto Church in Uganda revealed recently during a candid conversation with fellow Pastor Edward Mwesigye that the same scripture [John 16:33] offers assurance that as we remain in Christ and stand firm in the Word of God, we will have perfect peace no matter what troubles come our way.
“How much faith does one need to go through such situations? Jesus says; all we need is faith as small as a mustard seed (Matthew 17:20). That’s right. A little faith can make a big difference when we are facing troubles of all kinds,” Rwotlonyo said.
Pastor Mwesigye stated that the bible offers several examples of men who stood firm in faith, and trusted God in difficult times. King David, one the greatest king of Israel, understood what it meant to go through trouble and suffering with unwavering faith, according to the pastor.
On how Christians in Uganda can respond to trouble – especially during such pandemic times – Pastor Mwesigye cited Psalm 27.
“The first thing that I see from David is, in his moment of trouble, he trusted God, he put his confidence in God alone. He wrote Psalm 27:1 saying, ‘The Lord is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked advance against me to devour me, it is my enemies and my foes who will stumble and fall.’
“When David was going through darkness, he said ‘The Lord is my light’ because, Jesus is the Light that came into our world to show us the way on how to live, especially in times of trouble. Note what David did not say that his money was his light and salvation. He didn’t say his friends, he didn’t say his armies. Now, these things are good, but they don’t protect you ultimately, in life. Jesus is our light on our salvation. When David’s life was falling apart, he run to God to show that he trusted God alone,” Pastor Mwesigye explained.
Psalms 27:5 says, “For in the day of trouble He will keep me safe in His dwelling; He will hide me in the shelter of His sacred tent and set me high upon a rock.”
“When we go through trouble and suffering in life, most times, Christians run away from God, but we see that when David was faced with trouble, he run to God. I want to encourage you today… do not run away from God. Run to God, and run to God’s people, because that’s where you’re going to find comfort,” Pastor Mwesigye said.
Pastor Julius Rwotlonyo urged: “Let’s continue to love God with all our hearts… We shouldn’t run away from Him because of what we’re going through. In fact, we should run to Him and love Him all the more…We may not be gathering in our physical locations, but God is still with us where we are, let’s love Him with everything. And, as we love God, we experiences perfect love that casts out all fear.”
Pastor Mwesigye added: “Talk to God, He wants to hear from you. He is that friend that sticks closer than a brother. If you’re mourning a loved one, allow Jesus and His Spirit to comfort you because He is close to the brokenhearted. If you are feeling all alone and abandoned during this season, remember that God is a very present help in our time of trouble. He is Emmanuel, God with us. If you are sick in your body, believe and ask God for physical healing, because He is a miracle working God.
“David remained hopeful in times of suffering. He never gave up on God. He didn’t give up on trusting God’s promises for his life. In Psalms 27: 13, he says this, ‘I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.’ And then he says, ‘wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.'” “Hope is very important to all of our lives. Hope is that fuel for our souls. Hope is the expectation that good is going to happen after suffering.” “Do not give up on trusting God. Hope is the anchor of our souls.” “The pain that you are experiencing has an expiry date. In fact, David says, weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning. (Psalm 30:5)”
Elsewhere, Pastor Rwotlonyo made reference to popular scripture Psalms 23 as he encouraged Christians and many others who feel there is probably a shadow of death over the country due to the troubling Covid-19 statistics reported by media.
“I want to encourage you that even as we go through this dark valley, speak encouragement to yourself [as David did]. Repeat the word of God. Fear not. Say; I will not fear any evil happening to me. Why? Because God Almighty is still with us, even in the valley. He is not just the God of good times. He’s our God, in bad times,” Pastor Julius Rwotlonyo said.
The two preachers agreed that more than ever before, “this is the time for us to practice loving our neighbours.”
“This is a time to begin to check on each other. That phone call makes a huge difference. People are in isolation and they feel lonely. That phone call says ‘I care about you’. But also, let’s practice those guidelines that protect us from the spread of this virus. Let’s do that for the sake of ourselves and those that we love,” Pastor Rwotlonyo said.
Pastor Rwotlonyo was deeply concerned about “greedy samaritans” who are taking advantage of the pandemic season to exploit Ugandans.
“I mean, if you think about some of the hospitals raising the costs of care, that is wrong. Some pharmacies raising the cost of medicine that people need today. What kind of love is that? That’s not loving your neighbor. Some people who are selling products, foods, and the costs are going through the roof. Listen to me, Uganda, we cannot be blessed as a nation if we are not loving our neighbours, if we are taking advantage of people in need,” he said.
Speaking to government leaders, Rwotlonyo explained that this “is not a time to begin stealing what belongs to the poor, and those that deserve it.”
“It’s our responsibility to love our neighbors, and be the good samaritan who was willing to pay the price and not be a greedy Samaritan,” he explained. “The government is going to set aside some money to help the vulnerable group. Let us use it and steward it well.”
Find the full sermon Here
