Fearful Of The 2020 Pandemic?

I'm not sure about you, but in my household, words like plague and pestilence have never been a part of our terminology. Yet today with the Covid 19 here we are. As strange as these words seem, they are not as uncommon in the Bible (depending on the Bible you read). For example, Psalm 91 NIV speaks directly to the notion of plague or pestilence three times, boldly claiming, “For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence” (verse 3), “You will not fear . . . the pestilence that stalks in darkness” (verse 6), and finally, “No evil shall be allowed to befall you, no plague come near your tent” (verse 10). I like the New Living Translation (NLT) which reads, "He will rescue you from every trap and protect you from deadly disease" (verse 3), "do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness, nor the disaster that strikes at midday" (verse 6), "no evil will conquer you, no plague will come near your home" (verse 10). With the fatal worldwide pandemic of Coronavirus, how do you read the promises of Psalm 91 during this global "pestilence"?

It's good to note that Psalm 91 was written by David, who spoke these words of hope and comfort as one who had personally experienced refuge and security by trusting in God in the midst of fearful circumstances. His Psalm begins with a picture of God’s people dwelling in the shelter and shadow of the Lord, "He who lives in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty" (NLT). David's words paint a metaphorical picture ... God is a refuge, God is a fortress, God’s faithfulness is a shield, and God even has wings that cover and provide security. The important thing to remember here is that David is creating figurative relationships between God and the created world that shape a new reality for the fearful. These creative images draw us out of our fear-entrenched perceptions into a new world that redefines our source of protection and peace! Verse 3 in the NIV plays into this figurative imagery by likening us to a bird that will escape the net of the “fowler” (a term used to describe a bird-catcher in ancient times). In a parallel line, we are told “he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler, and from the deadly pestilence.” Just as we should understand the first line of this verse as figurative language which communicates a general picture of deliverance, so should the second.

I also want us to grasp the language in verse 5 and 6 of David's Psalm as he mentions "terrors in the NIGHT" and "arrows that fly in the DAY", "disease that stalks in DARKNESS", and "disaster that strikes at MIDDAY" (from the NLT). To the close observer, David has covered morning, noon, and night with his verbiage. This 24-hour protection is a promise made accessible and obtainable to those who LIVE IN THE SHELTER OF THE MOST HIGH and make Him their refuge. Who is this? It is the obedient believer. It excludes the non-believer. Verse 9 clearly lays out a contingency, "IF you make the Lord your refuge IF you make the Most High your shelter, (then) no evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your home." Not only will no plague befall you, but it also won't even come near your home!! Just as the blood of an unspotted lamb or goat was sprinkled on the doorposts of the Israelites (to distinguish those from the Egyptians) so that the angel of death would pass by (Exodus chapter 12)., in like manner we symbolically "sprinkle" the Blood of the Lamb (wherein lies power) and His spoken WORD (scriptures of promise) over our lives which protects believers from worldwide pandemics. The "disease" that stalks in darkness

As those who live in the presence of God by the presence of the Spirit, we can testify with the apostle Paul that “no evil” will ever come upon those who love God and are called according to his purpose (Rom. 8:28). It is important to remember here that evil and hardship are not synonymous in the Bible—think about Job and Jesus. As God’s people, we read Psalm 91 with confidence, knowing that God’s providence toward his children is always good, not evil. We are wise to follow Jesus’s lead in reading Psalm 91 as a beautiful picture of God’s power and protection for the faithful. Sometimes we struggle with passages like “no plague come near your home,” wondering if the words could really mean what they say. Does this mean believers can’t get sick? NO, of course not. Our flesh is susceptible to harm and illness, however, Psalm 91 is specifically pointing out plagues and pestilence. Plague is a contagious bacterial disease (Bubonic plague as an example.) Pestilence (a virulent infectious disease) They are both epidemics in nature and both can be referred to as a "plague." They are not your normal colds, flu, or your typical illnesses. In scripture, plagues and pestilence are generally allowed by God to send a message to either wake-up or repent. Rather than looking at is as punishment, it is used as a wake-up call. In the NLT, verse 6 of Psalm 91 describes these as "the disease that stalks the darkness." What could that mean? Something that seems to creep along as if in the night; that is, where one cannot mark its progress, or anticipate when or whom it will strike. The laws of its movements are unknown, and it comes upon people as an enemy that suddenly attacks us in the night. Like Coronavirus. And if You make the Lord your refuge, according to verse 7, WATCH CLOSELY, though 1,000 fall at your side and 10,000 die all around you, these evils WILL NOT TOUCH YOU! These are the beautiful promises of God to His faithful ... they are "your armor and your protection" (verse 4).


We can rest assured of our protection under the shadow of the Almighty when we belong to Him. When you read Psalm 91, remember that the greatest danger in this world is anything that keeps us from the next. With that perspective, read Psalm 91 and find refuge in the gospel which makes all of the glorious promises of this psalm yours in Christ. Still fearful of things going on in the world today? You don't have to be!

Until next time,
-Pat-