“COVID 19 or PSALM 91”
This is the opening message of 2021.
Introduction
The year 2020 has been a year of profound change. Who would have imagined a year ago that we would be wearing masks, social distancing, avoiding gatherings, washing our hands more often, and generally being wary of one another? In addition, we have witnessed riots, looting, and general unrest along with a contested presidential election. Now 2021 is upon us and a vaccine will soon be available. Soon doesn’t mean right away. What if we were to look for a different defense in the meantime – one that is already readily available that protects us from the issue of “fear?”
Message
The most direct evidence of this defense is found in Psalm 91. As we delve into it, we will find that it is filled with choices beginning with verse 1 with promises based on those choices.
Read Psalm 91
1 “Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”
3 Surely He will save you
from the fowler’s snare
and from the deadly pestilence.
4 He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
5 You will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,
6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
nor the plague that destroys at midday.
7 A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you.
8 You will only observe with your eyes
and see the punishment of the wicked.
9 If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,”
and you make the Most High your dwelling,
10 no harm will overtake you,
no disaster will come near your tent.
11 For He will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways;
12 they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
13 You will tread on the lion and the cobra;
you will trample the great lion and the serpent.
14 “Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
15 He will call on me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him.
16 With long life I will satisfy him
and show him my salvation.”
- Notice that in verse one – “Whoever dwells in the shelter…….” is based upon a choice.
- And in verse 9 – “If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,”
and you make the Most High your dwelling,……” again is based upon a choice.
- Verse 14 – “Because he loves me,” says the Lord,……” and once more a choice is to be made.
Now go back and read the promises of these choices – rest – save – cover – shield – refuge – guard – lift – trample – rescue – protect – deliver – honor.
Reread verse 2 – “I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”
Notice the word trust. Trust = Faith. Faith and Fear cannot dwell together.
What is a good definition of faith? Hebrews 11:1 “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”
Why is faith so important?Hebrews 11:6 “And without faith, it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.”
Philippians 4:4-7 “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Does this mean that trusting in God will shield us from sickness or other difficulties?
Jesus gives us words in Luke 21 that are parallel in theme to Psalm 91. Hearing them and receiving them into our spirits, we can receive the security that Psalm 91 promises to rest in our Almighty God.
In Luke 21, Jesus is speaking about the signs of the end of times. In verse 10, He speaks of wars—of nation rising against nation. In verse 11, He speaks of earthquake, famine, pestilence, terrors, and signs from heaven. In verses 12-17, He talks of persecution for Christians and times when we will be delivered over to authorities for death.
He concludes in verses 18-19: “But not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance, you will gain your lives.”
Think about this: Jesus says that in dying, not a hair on our heads will perish.
We who believe are spiritually secure through Christ—never to face judgment. We are eternally secure—headed to the place of no suffering or pain. We are presently secure in purpose—no event of the world can surprise, overwhelm, or demote us from fulfilling God’s good works for us here. And, by Jesus’ words, we are to consider ourselves miraculously secure when meeting the eruptive trials of this life.
God’s protection is beyond our understanding. And so, we should read Psalm 91 exactly how it sounds—that nothing even of our body can be touched by the coronavirus. Though we die, not a hair of our head will perish. Even if our body is touched by COVID-19, it cannot be harmed. In the paradox is the hope. For, the age to come is not ever to be viewed by the believer as a distant and abstract reality.
Touch the hairs of your head—reach up and grab them. Know that you are the Lord’s and no evil or manifestation of evil in this world can touch you, not even a strand you hold. You will suffer in this world. Yet, Jesus has overcome it. So, you being in Him, nothing can touch you. Whatever does touch you, His hand is the closer layer abiding over you like a shadow of protection.
Concluding Remarks and Application
It is fitting that the numbers 19 and 91 are in reverse order because God’s wisdom runs in the exact opposite direction from that of mankind. Our “wisdom” looks like absolute foolishness to God according to 1 Corinthians 3:19 – “For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight…..”
The simple reversed order of the numbers also serves as a useful memory tool.
When you see “COVID 19”, remember “Psalm 91”. When you see fear, remember confidence.
In regard to the riots, looting, general unrest, and the contested presidential election – let’s take a look at Psalm 37 for yet another dose of encouragement and protection as we enter 2021. More Choices – Trust – Dwell – Enjoy – Take Delight – Commit – Be Still – Wait Patiently – Refrain…………
Psalm 37:1-131 “Do not fret because of those who are evil
or be envious of those who do wrong;
2 for like the grass they will soon wither,
like green plants they will soon die away.
3 Trust in the Lord and do good;
dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
4 Take delight in the Lord,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.
5 Commit your way to the Lord;
trust in him and he will do this:
6 He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn,
your vindication like the noonday sun.
7 Be still before the Lord
and wait patiently for him;
do not fret when people succeed in their ways,
when they carry out their wicked schemes.
8 Refrain from anger and turn from wrath;
do not fret—it leads only to evil.
9 For those who are evil will be destroyed,
but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land.
10 A little while, and the wicked will be no more;
though you look for them, they will not be found.
11 But the meek will inherit the land
and enjoy peace and prosperity.
12 The wicked plot against the righteous
and gnash their teeth at them;
13 but the Lord laughs at the wicked,
for he knows their day is coming.”