These are uncertain times. The daily news related to the coronavirus comes at a breakneck pace. Tonight, President Trump has suspended travel to Europe and the NBA their season after a Utah Jazz player tested positive for the novel coronavirus. Our family is figuring out what in person class cancellations and finals mean for our two University of California students. The recommendations to stay home and socially distance make more sense as the situation seems to worsen.

As I’m on leave now from the church, I cannot speak to policies and guidance for the church’s ministry. In emails I am copied I have observed the church’s leadership in prayerful and urgent deliberation to respond to the ever-changing situation. I can also relate to those who have experienced anxiety during the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus and have sought God in those moments. When Lori and I sit down for our Bible reading and prayers know we pray for all of you at the church.

Psalm 121 has been a great encouragement to me in these times:

1 I lift up my eyes to the mountain

    where does my help come from?

2 My help comes from the Lord,

    the Maker of heaven and earth.

3 He will not let your foot slip—

    he who watches over you will not slumber;

4 indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.

 5 The Lord watches over you—

    the Lord is your shade at your right hand;

6 the sun will not harm you by day,

    nor the moon by night.

7 The Lord will keep you from all harm—he will watch over your life;

8 the Lord will watch over your coming and going

    both now and forevermore.

The psalmist recognizes that the Lord is the Creator, protector and provider. The first two verses express the psalmist’s confidence of the Lord’s help in the uncertainty of traveling on a spiritual pilgrimage. The rest of the psalm appears to introduce a fellow traveler in dialogue with the psalmist. Together the travelers affirm the Lord who watches over them—a conviction mentioned repeatedly.

Psalm 121 is a reminder for us as individuals to look up to the Lord in times of need. It also sets an example of how we as God’s people can lift each other up as we face dangers on the journey of life oriented toward God. These words direct the spiritual pilgrim to a spiritual reality that ultimately life is in His caring hands no matter what might come. We can take comfort in recognizing that the Lord knows every “coming and going both now and forevermore.”

May God be merciful to us in the days ahead as we face them with a confidence that comes from depending on Him alone.

Back

Sign up to Pastor Howard’s mailing list for news and updates