Who You Gonna Trust?
Unless you’ve been living under a rock the last week, you’ve heard about the Corona virus, or COVID 19. It is considered to be a highly contagious virus that originated in China, but has found its way to America. In the blink of an eye, we’ve seen our country shut down, from the cancellation of the rodeo, the shut down of professional sports, and most schools closing for an undetermined number of days. A panic has set in that has caused people to hoard groceries, in a presumption of being quarantined and unable to shop for supplies.
I’m guessing for any churches that were open, most set aside any sermon leading into the Easter season to preach on fear. The Little Country Church was no exception. Pastor’s message was riveting as he began by reading Psalm 91. He went on to describe different kinds of fear. Terror, a state of intense or exaggerated fear. Panic, from the Greek word panikon, meaning groundless fear; a sudden, over-powering fear. Fright, fear excited by sudden danger. Anxiety, fearful concern or abnormal sense of apprehension; worry. Dread, extreme fear in the face of impending evil. Trepidation, agitated with fear to the point of trembling and phobia, an exaggerated, illogical and inexplicable fear of a situation.
Not to minimize the severity of the virus, but the number of cases in America to date is still relatively small, and not considered fatal, unless the one infected already has underlying health issues. What we are seeing is not a pandemic of the Corona virus, it’s a pandemic of fear. Fear discourages, it distorts God’s purpose and renders us helpless. The greatest antidote to terror is trust. God is the same yesterday, today and forever. He has not changed, so if we trusted Him a week ago, why are we failing to trust Him now? Psalm 91 says He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in Him will I trust. Vs. 3 says that He will deliver us from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. You know what the noisome pestilence is? The media. We are being inundated with information, some credible, some not, but as we’re being bombarded with negativity, we can become easily overwhelmed and discouraged.
It is imperative that we stay focused, putting our trust in God and not the hype of the world. Isaiah 54:17 says, “No weapon formed against you will prevail.” God WILL protect His people. It’s time for the church to rise up and be the light of hope for those who might be seeking answers to the madness. If you’re struggling with fear or anxiety, quarantine yourself; open the Book and read Psalm 91. “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.” Next, memorize the acronym created for COVID 19…Christ (is) Over Viruses (and) Infectious Diseases. Joshua 1:9 “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”