In The Midst Of Coronavirus

Millions of people are working from home. Schools and businesses have closed. Grocery shelves are eerily empty and toilet paper has become the number one commodity. The culprit? COVID-19; Coronavirus. Normal people are anxious in the midst of this global pandemic and I can only imagine it will become much worse before it gets better. Fear and uncertainty are the hallmark response to things that people don’t understand and that they feel threatens their safety and the safety of their loved ones. Where can we turn to in these troubled times when we're not even allowed to interact with one another? I think we can learn a lesson from the psalmist David.

David was one guy that often described himself in a state of great adversity. His pleas for help are unmeasured. As an example, David once cried out to God, “Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me; for my soul taketh refuge in thee: Yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I take refuge, Until these calamities be overpast. My soul is among lions; I lie among them that are set on fire, Even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword” (Psalm 57:1, 4). Do any of you feel like that right now? Do you feel you are encompassed by calamities IE: Your employer has told you to go home indefinitely. The government has told you to "shelter in place" and not to leave your home except to buy groceries or medication. Your local store shelves are stripped and you cannot find needed items for your pantry or medicine cabinet. You're afraid you won't be able to feed your family, pay your rent or mortgage, or keep your utilities on. Your parent's health is compromised and they are in the age group where the virus is killing the most people, etc. ?? What do you do at the height of fear, anxiety, and uncertainty?

How did David cope with all his adversity? The occasion that prompted him to write this psalm was the desire of King Saul to kill David. Saul was jealous of David and wanted him terminated. David spent much of his early life fleeing from the wrath of Saul. Was it through complaining, feeling sorry for himself, or having the “woe is me” syndrome? No! Amazingly, David overcame adversity by putting his trust in God, and by “Praising God!” David proclaims, “They have prepared a net for my steps; My soul is bowed down: They have dug a pit before me; They are fallen into the midst thereof themselves” (Psalm 57:5-6). Who in the world feels like thanking God, praising God, or singing to God in the midst of adversity, distress, anxiety, tribulation, or catastrophe? NO ONE! Yet, this is the answer to remaining calm. Why? For one, "GOD INHABITS THE PRAISES OF HIS PEOPLE" (Psalm 22:3). When you praise Him, He draws near and is in your midst. Psalm 34:17-18 "The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; He delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." Now is the time to draw near to God, not to complain or panic. What was David’s reaction to all of his troubles? Was it a voice of complaint? No! He praised God! “Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens; Let thy glory be above all the earth. My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing, yea, I will sing praise. I will give thanks unto thee, O, Lord, among the peoples: I will sing praises unto thee among the nations” (Psa. 57:5, 7, 9).

There is a valuable lesson to be learned from David’s reaction to misfortune. In the time of trouble, we should praise God! Do you remember what Paul said, “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that through patience and through the comfort of the scriptures we might have hope” (Rom. 15:4). We all too often, when trouble comes our way, stoop to complaining, feeling sorry for ourselves, or lose our minds with worry. But this is not the way that God would have us to react to difficulty. When Peter and the other apostles were confronted with hardship – what was their reaction? “They, therefore, departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His Name” (Acts 5:41). When Paul and Silas were thrown into prison, did they complain and feel sorry for themselves? No! The Scriptures say they prayed and sang praises to God (Acts 16:25)! Are you feeling sorry for yourself? Have you become fearful, anxious, and unglued? Have you forgotten what God has given you? I'll remind you, "God has not given us a spirit of fear, but power, love, and a sound mind" (1 Timothy 1:7). If you are a follower of Jesus Christ, if you believe His Word and obey His Word, He will take care of you and make a way where there seems to be no way. In the toughest of situations, this seems to be God’s specialty. He’s working on our behalf even when we can’t see it all. He has a plan and purpose in whatever we walk through. He can cut a clear pathway through anything. He can carry us through any storm. He’s the God of miracles. He never changes. He’s the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8) and He fights for you today! Aren’t you thankful?
I sure am.

Until next time,
-Pat-