Dear loved ones in Christ,
I don't know about you, but I am missing having services and meetings a lot! I miss you all and pray that this virus thing will end soon.
No doubt you have spent a great deal of time seeking to digest the latest news on the coronavirus pandemic. It is good to stay informed and to avoid the virus, but being obsessed with the news is not helpful or good for our spiritual health. Paul in Philippians 4:8 encourages us to think on things that are edifying and uplifting and that honor the Lord. The best thing we can do to calm our fears and uplift our spirits is to read God's Word, especially the Psalms. In the Psalms we find that our situation is not unique and that many of God's people have suffered similar things. They not only have survived; they have thrived and shared their testimonies on the pages of Scripture.
Psalm 91 has long been one of my favorites, and the author's words fit with the current crisis that we are experiencing now.
First, he declares the special relationship and trust he has in God in vs. 1-2: He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust." No one, but the believer in Christ can say this: The Lord is "my refuge", "my fortress", "my God" "in Him I will trust".
In verses 3-10, he speaks of God's active protection. "He will cover you with His feathers and under His wings you shall take refuge". These verses have often been claimed by servicemen in war, but it can be claimed by believers today as well. Not the words "pestilence", "evil" and "plague". You can properly insert "coronavirus" here. God will protect His children in times like these and at all other times. This is not a guarantee that we will escape the coronavirus, but that He is in control. God will be right there with us in the midst of our trial. He may use it to punish the wicked, but for the saints, it is an opportunity to declare our faith and glorify the Lord (1 Peter 1:7).
We see that even the angels are involved in our protection in verses 11-13. Note: Hebrews 1:14.
The Psalm ends (vs. 14-16) with a reiteration that God cares for His own, that He answers prayer and honors those who trust Him in times of trouble.
The bottom line is this: "God will take care of you!"
Be not dismayed whate'er betide,
God will take care of you!
Beneath His wings of love abide,
God will take care of you!
God will take care of you,
Through every day o'er all the way;
He will take care of you;
God will take care of you!
Through days of toil when heart doth fail,
God will take care of you!
When dangers fierce your path assail,
God will take care of you!
All you may need He will provide,
God will take care of you!
Trust Him, and you will be satisfied,
God will take care of you!
Lonely and sad, from friends apart,
God will take care of you!
He will give peace to your aching heart,
God will take care of you!
No matter what may be the test,
God will take care of you!
Lean, weary one, upon His breast,
God will take care of you!
Love & prayers for you all,
Pastor Dan
I don't know about you, but I am missing having services and meetings a lot! I miss you all and pray that this virus thing will end soon.
No doubt you have spent a great deal of time seeking to digest the latest news on the coronavirus pandemic. It is good to stay informed and to avoid the virus, but being obsessed with the news is not helpful or good for our spiritual health. Paul in Philippians 4:8 encourages us to think on things that are edifying and uplifting and that honor the Lord. The best thing we can do to calm our fears and uplift our spirits is to read God's Word, especially the Psalms. In the Psalms we find that our situation is not unique and that many of God's people have suffered similar things. They not only have survived; they have thrived and shared their testimonies on the pages of Scripture.
Psalm 91 has long been one of my favorites, and the author's words fit with the current crisis that we are experiencing now.
First, he declares the special relationship and trust he has in God in vs. 1-2: He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust." No one, but the believer in Christ can say this: The Lord is "my refuge", "my fortress", "my God" "in Him I will trust".
In verses 3-10, he speaks of God's active protection. "He will cover you with His feathers and under His wings you shall take refuge". These verses have often been claimed by servicemen in war, but it can be claimed by believers today as well. Not the words "pestilence", "evil" and "plague". You can properly insert "coronavirus" here. God will protect His children in times like these and at all other times. This is not a guarantee that we will escape the coronavirus, but that He is in control. God will be right there with us in the midst of our trial. He may use it to punish the wicked, but for the saints, it is an opportunity to declare our faith and glorify the Lord (1 Peter 1:7).
We see that even the angels are involved in our protection in verses 11-13. Note: Hebrews 1:14.
The Psalm ends (vs. 14-16) with a reiteration that God cares for His own, that He answers prayer and honors those who trust Him in times of trouble.
The bottom line is this: "God will take care of you!"
Be not dismayed whate'er betide,
God will take care of you!
Beneath His wings of love abide,
God will take care of you!
God will take care of you,
Through every day o'er all the way;
He will take care of you;
God will take care of you!
Through days of toil when heart doth fail,
God will take care of you!
When dangers fierce your path assail,
God will take care of you!
All you may need He will provide,
God will take care of you!
Trust Him, and you will be satisfied,
God will take care of you!
Lonely and sad, from friends apart,
God will take care of you!
He will give peace to your aching heart,
God will take care of you!
No matter what may be the test,
God will take care of you!
Lean, weary one, upon His breast,
God will take care of you!
Love & prayers for you all,
Pastor Dan