When I needed an attitude adjustment, God took me to Psalm 118, and the reminder that “This is the day the LORD has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it.”
In order not to allow my attitude to become maladjusted again, God is having me pray through the Psalm. Today I am praying through verses 5-7: “In my anguish I cried to the LORD, and he answered by setting me free. The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? The LORD is with me; he is my helper. I will look in triumph on my enemies.”
What is the greatest fear playing out in the world today? It is the fear of death. We are sheltered-in-place because we fear what a virus can do to us. It not only has the potential of making us sick, it has the potential to kill us. We are bombarded with that fact constantly every day. The airways are filled with the latest statistics about how many are acquiring the virus, how many are on ventilators, how many have died, where the latest outbreak has occurred. We leave our homes in trepidation and see people wearing masks, avoiding contact with others. We cannot help but be fearful.
The Psalmist reminds us however, that when we cry out to God, His answer is to set us free from that fear. He reminds us that whether we shelter-at-home or venture out He is with us. He is our helper. Paul confirms that in 2 Timothy 1:7: “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”
God is with us. I will add my voice to that of the psalmist, “I will not be afraid. What can man [or virus] do to me?” All my days are already numbered. When it is my time to go, via virus or some other conveyance, I will march into the presence of my God in triumph.
Father, remind us today that you are with us every moment, whether we are inside our homes or outside of them. Keep us in Your precious care. Give us that spirit of power, love, and a sound mind so that every fear is driven far from us. Amen & Amen.
