God's Character: My Strength in the Midst of Covid 19 Pandemic.

The character of God seen through Psalm 46:1-8

Watching the news for long periods of time can breed fear and anxiety. It does so because people are dying daily and the number of coronavirus cases continue to climb globally and locally. There are a lot of unknowns with the Coronavirus and mixed information from the experts in the field.

Death is regularly the subject of discussion on the news feeds on the internet, television and social media outlets. It is on minds and hearts of people more often than we are accustomed to. This pandemic has made us well aware of our vulnerability, limitations as human beings and very conscious of our own mortality.

I have had moments of fear but I have been able to arise above it because of my faith. My relationship with Jesus Christ has helped me in processing all this tragic news. Having a Christian perspective has kept me positive, hopeful, and confident of God’s love, protection and care for my life in the midst of a global pandemic.

I am self employed and I am being affected financially like a lot of people around the world and do not know what the future holds for me and my family. What I do know and firmly believe is what God has said in his word about watching over my life. I have seen him to do so in the past so I have no reason to believe he will deviate in the future. Listen to Psalm 46:1-8 below: 

Psalm 46 English Standard Version (ESV)

God Is Our Fortress

To the choirmaster. Of the Sons of Korah. According to Alamoth.^[a] A Song.

46 God is our refuge and strength,
    a very present^[b] help in trouble.
² Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,
    though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,
³ though its waters roar and foam,
    though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah

⁴ There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
    the holy habitation of the Most High.
⁵ God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved;
    God will help her when morning dawns.
⁶ The nations rage, the kingdoms totter;
    he utters his voice, the earth melts.
⁷ The Lord of hosts is with us;
    the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah

⁸ Come, behold the works of the Lord,
    how he has brought desolations on the earth.
⁹ He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;
    he breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
    he burns the chariots with fire.
¹⁰ “Be still, and know that I am God.
    I will be exalted among the nations,
    I will be exalted in the earth!”
¹¹ The Lord of hosts is with us;
    the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah

God Promises to Be a Help in Trouble or Distress

Through Protection

The passage describes God as being a refuge and a strength. A refuge is place that one would escape or flee to for shelter from a rain storm, shade from hot sun, or some other physical threat that could bring about harm. God describes himself as being that for his followers.

Imagine a natural catastrophe like a tornado—where would you flee to for protection? The CDC recommends fleeing to an inter most part of a house basement for safety and protection. This is the wisest thing to do and is the strongest area to be in should you find yourself in a tornado. In a similar manner, fleeing to God for shelter is the wisest thing to do right now.

God is a refuge for any type of calamity. To highlight this reality, Psalms (2-3) describe some drastic events that would naturally lead anyone to panic and fear:

“Therefore, we will not fear though the earth gives way,

though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, 

though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling”

Even if the earth would fall apart, God promises to be there for his people. He is a reliable source of protection and strength in any threat to human life. Nothing will separate us from the Love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

By His Strength

God is not only a refuge but a source of strength. This pandemic has humbled the human race and we are seeing this unfold in ways we are not use to. Even the most successful, cool, wealthy, gritty celebrities can now be seen in their lesser version of their world-renowned selves. Everyone is searching for answers, comfort, and strength in the midst of this human trial.

This pandemic has put us more in touch more with our human weaknesses and vulnerabilities. We are realizing we are not in as much control as we thought we were when the world was functioning on all cylinders. We find ourselves primed for needing help. God uses human weakness to fuel us with His strength. Listen to 2 Cor 12:9

"But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me."

God is the source and resource of strength. He gives strength to face any issue or trial that is brought our way by knowing our life is in his hands and that he is sovereign and control of this earth. It is an inner peace that takes us a way from worrying about our life and future and leaving it in his hands. (Matthew 6:25-34)

With His Ever Presence

God also states that he is an ever-present help in trouble. His presence in our life is emphasized in the passage above a few times (verses 1, 7, 11). The Lord of host is with us! The news changes daily but not God. He is omnipresent and will be there with us always in moments of light and darkness.

Through Trust in God

One of the most frequent commands in the bible is "Do not be afraid". God says we are not to fear. That does not mean we won't have moments of fear but that we are not to have a disposition of fear. Instead trust God’s care for our lives. The posture is to "Be still, and know I am God" We can be confident that God is there to aid us and he will take care of the results if we fully trust him. 

Here the following examples of the command "Do not be afraid" followed by the outcome of trusting Him:

• 24 That night the LORD appeared to him and said, “I am the God of your father Abraham. Do not be afraid, for I am with you; (Genesis 26:24) 
• 13 Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. (Exodus 14:13) 
• 6 Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Deuteronomy 31:6) 
• 28 Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell (Matthew 10:28) 
• 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. (John 14:27) 

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