The LORD is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 27:1
According to a latest CNN report, “A record number of Americans filed for their first week of unemployment benefits last week, as businesses shut down to slow the spread of the coronavirus. Initial jobless claims soared to a seasonally adjusted 3.28 million in the week ended March 21, according to the Department of Labor. That is the highest number of initial jobless claims in history, since the Department of Labor started tracking the data in 1967. The previous high was 695,000 claims filed in the week ending October 2, 1982.”
Many people are experiencing darkness in their lives during this season of economic uncertainty. The anxiety level is at an all-time high for many families. People are looking for hope amid despair. As their way of life is changing forcibly, the future seems dark and hopeless.
In such a time as these, the psalmist reminds us that the Lord is our light and salvation. That means we may not be able to see the way ahead, but if we hold on to his unchanging hand, God will guide us through this crisis. It also means that he will deliver us from financial hardships and the deadly pandemic of Covid-19.
It is difficult and even unfair to tell people not to be afraid when they are losing their loved ones and their employments. Yet that is the only way believers are going to make it through these difficult times. We have to walk by faith and not by fear. That means trusting in God if we lose our jobs, or if the Covid-19 crisis worsens.
The psalmist reminds us that the Lord is the stronghold of our lives. A stronghold is a place of safety and security. It is an impenetrable fortress against enemy attacks. A stronghold does not prevent attacks; it protects against them.
Christians are not exempt from the coronavirus crisis. Many of us may lose our jobs or lose friends and loved ones. Some will be infected with the virus, just like everyone else. However, we have unwavering confidence that is centered on the promises of God, according to Psalm 34:17.
In Habakkuk 3:17-18, the prophet declares, “Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails, and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will exult in the LORD; I will rejoice in the God of my salvation!” That is the kind of faith we need to make it through this crisis. We cannot live in despair.
Let us, therefore, exult in the Lord, and rejoice in the God of our salvation. We should not forget that the Lord saves those who trust in him; He answers them from his holy heaven with the saving power of his right hand” (Psalm 20:7). Therefore, let us stand still and wait for the deliverance of the Lord.
In the meantime, let us continue to encourage one another. Notwithstanding our circumstances, we should not stop feeding the hungry and helping the less fortunate. The seeds of benevolence we sow will bring forth a harvest of divine favor that will carry us through these difficult times.
Prayer- Blessed Lord, may your light shine in our lives when hopeless seek to invade our soul. Please help us to remember that you are our stronghold and our salvation.
Comments