It’s been a hot minute since I posted. With the Bible school I’m attending only being 3 months out of the year, they jam as much in them as they can, so that doesn’t leave much time or desire for extracurricular writing.
But I felt led to share something so here I am. I’m pretty isolated from the world out here, but news of the Corona virus and tendrils of the anxiety surrounding it have not escaped us. Schools in Mexico are being closed, an exciting event at Bible school was cancelled, and then there’s all the whispers of borders closing and the fear level rises. Will we be able to go home in 2 weeks time?
This morning, as I was working on my journey through the Psalms, I read Psalm 56. And as I read it, I became aware of how appropriate it was for the situation the world is in currently. With a burst of inspiration, I set about rewriting the Psalm by changing words or phrases here and there. Once finished, the Psalm was not David praying for relief from his foes, but us praying to God for relief from this virus. Without further ado, here it is.
1. Be gracious to us, God, for a virus is invading us; it spreads and threatens us all day long.
2. Our attacker invades us all day, it arrogantly multiplies and spreads against us.
3. When we are afraid we will trust in You.
4. In God, whose word we praise, in God we trust; we will not be afraid. What can a mere virus do to us?
5. The media twists the news all day long, all their words to us are alarming.
6. They stir up strife, they frighten, they limit our freedom while they seek to destroy our peace.
7. Will they escape in spite of such actions? God, let this be a call to repentance!
8. You yourself have recorded our pleas, put our tears in a bottle. Are they not in your book?
9. Then our attacker will retreat on the day we call. This we know: God is for us!!
10. In God, whose word we praise, in the Lord, whose word we praise.
11. In God we trust, we will not be afraid. What can a mere virus do to us?
12. We were bound by our vows to You, God, we will make our thank offerings to you.
13. For you rescued us from an eternal death, can you not also keep our health from failing, so that we can walk before you in the light of life?
Let us not be afraid during this time. We have God on our side and He is bigger than anything in this world. This virus, like Satan, can only harm us physically. This body is only temporary anyway, we are promised a new and perfect body one day in eternity. Let us hold on to the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding and circumstances.
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:7
Fear is not from God. He wants us to rest and trust in Him. He is still in control. We should comply with any rules placed on us and try to be cautious. It’s better to be too cautious than not enough and live to regret it. Then we should pray; pray for healing, pray for this virus pass over, and pray for this to awaken people to their need for God.
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but one of power, love, and sound judgement.
2 Timothy 1:7
it is not i 