“Blessed be the Lord, because He has heard the voice of my supplication. The Lord is my strength and my shield; My heart trusts in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart exults, and with my song I shall thank Him. The Lord is their strength, And He is a saving defense to His anointed.”
Psalm 28:6-8
David is but one example of how believers ought to respond to their fears of the unknown. His reflection over his present life difficulties urged him to reveal that his confidence in time of trouble was in the Lord. David’s testimony powerfully exhibits how believers who exist in a close relationship with God can endure by trusting Him. Though I am writing this message while cruising on the Caribbean Sea, I’m aware of recent conditions that appear to be facing believers and the world at large. The Coronavirus that is spreading throughout the nation seems to be frightening increasing numbers of people. However, to my knowledge between 12,000 & 61,000 Americans have died of the influenza (flu) from 2010 – 2019 and those deaths were accepted as collateral damage. One problem is there is no cure for the flu, or for the coronavirus.
In the present climate of tension and mistrust, most Americans have no confidence in their politicians to coordinate national health services that will help all Americans receive adequate testing and medication to deal with potential illness. This is the difference between the past ten years and the present. As a result, fear has escalated because people believe nothing constructive is being done to make a difference.
David indicates in his prayer of supplication to God that his trust is in God and not in feeble men to provide sustaining resources for life circumstances. His commitment is to lean on God and His will. During this time of uncertainty, we too should demonstrate to people around us that we are trusting God in life and in death. Now is the time for all Christians to reveal the true depth of their Christian faith. The world is currently in the first phase of panic. We Christians are in the world but are not of the world. Our attitudes and emotions should reveal that we are the remnant of God. Thus, we should testify to the world about our great and awesome God by singing praises to His name. Let us give thanks to God for the help and protection He has already sustained us with. If He kept us in the past, what have we to be frightened about? Has He changed? No!
The point of consideration that must be made clear is that God is a righteous God. And all those who are with Him are deemed to be righteous. In essence, our faith is and should be tested as a demonstration of our righteousness. Without a daily expression of faith in God that exhibits obedience and sacrifice, we cannot please Him. Those who do not have to worry about life and death are those who focus on serving God with deep passion, particularly during difficult times. I personally don’t know what God is doing to get the world to turn back to Him, but I do know what the call of discipleship entails. We are called to make disciples who will become Christlike. This is the resource that will enable all humanity to lean on God for strength in time of need. Thus, the hope of our church will be observed as our disciples make disciples.
With much Christian love
,
C. K. Stewart I, Minister
Capital City Church of Christ
Indianapolis, Indiana
