Scripture Reading: Psalm 56

When Afraid, Trust in God

When David wrote the words of Psalm 56, he had dangerous enemies. He was running from King Saul who wanted to kill him. David spent some time in Gath to get away from Saul, and while he was there he wrote, “When I am afraid, I will trust in You.” (Psalm 56:3) Because of COVID-19, these are times of danger for us. Even though our enemy may be a virus, we too can practice the same principle. When we are afraid of the COVID-19 virus or anything else, it is time to trust in God. Our safety is in His hands.

Overcoming the Spirit of Fear

While fear of wild animals motivates us to get away or protect ourselves in the wilderness, we should not give in to a spirit of fear and live fearful lives everyday. In 1 Timothy 1:7, we are told that the spirit of fear is not from God. The same verse tells us that God has given us the spirit of power, love, and sound judgment. The COVID-19 crisis should make us cautious so that we follow the health authority’s recommendations but should not leave us in a state of constant fear. How should we deal with our fears regarding the current situation? We should take our fears to the Lord and leave them with Him. This is easier to do when we understand God’s love for us.

God’s Love Conquers Our Fears

1 John 4:17 makes it clear that understanding God’s love gives the believer confidence when he/she stands before Him. When our love is perfected, which means completed, fear is driven away. When we understand just how much God loves us, and when we understand that God is in control of all that happens to us, God’s love for us fills so us that there is no room for fear.

God Is in Control

If God loves me so much, why do I suffer sometimes? Everyone suffers sometimes. Believers and unbelievers have disasters in their lives. The difference is that believers have the Lord to go through hard times with us. We are accompanied by His love for us. We are promised that whatever happens to us, He will bring good out of it (Romans 8:28). Even if our suffering brings death, we win.

Will God Allow Me to Get the COVID-19 virus?

We do not know if God will allow us to get the COVID-19 virus, but we need not fear it. Most of us want to continue living and we will continue to live until the Lord’s appointed time to take us home. In Psalm 56:4 it is clear that we do not need to fear what man can do to us but let’s ask the question anyway—What can man do to us? The worst man can do is to take our life. If that happens, we immediately go to heaven where there will be no suffering.

Let’s apply this principle to the COVID-19 disease, which is our enemy right now. This means that we need not be afraid of getting it. As long as we do what we can to protect ourselves, God will not let us get it unless it is His will to allow us to get it. He is not the cause of it, but if it is His will to allow us to get it, He will work it out for our good, whether that good is it be on earth or in heaven with Him.
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© 2020 by Rev. Les Dennis. D.D. — Permission is given to copy this article, if it is copied in its entirety and distributed without charge.