5:00 am: the birdsong wakens me. The sweet chirping is so innocent. The birds have no concerns as they chorus to welcome another day. They are not worried about the world, about a virus plaguing the earth, instilling fear, stealing joy and claiming lives.
The sky is still dark and my eyes cannot see the creatures crooning this lovely tune. I only know they are present by their song, solo notes of a melody I long to sing myself.
How long have you walked with God? How long have you needed to trust in His promises?
I have known Him almost all of my life.
I have seen Him work miracles, witnessed His Word in action, and am convinced He keeps His promises.
But knowing all that doesn’t make life easy.
Especially when not only my world, but the entire world, is facing a medical and economic pandemic.
Maybe like me, you learned years ago where to turn when it feels like the world is falling apart: His Word.
Maybe like me, you have needed to remind yourself, to motivate yourself, to push yourself to pick up that Bible and open the pages, trusting it’s Truth. That yes, God has even this.
In Psalm 91, I am reminded that God promises to deliver and protect His children, you and me.
What do we need to do for that deliverance and protection?
Do we need to fight? Do we need to run? Do we need to wear ourselves out researching, concocting a plan?
Verse 14 gives us the answer: “Because he is lovingly devoted to me, I will deliver Him; I will protect Him because He knows My name. When He calls out to me I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will rescue him and give him honor. I will satisfy him with a long life and show him My salvation.“
Our call to action is simple: devote ourselves to God. “Be still and know I am God.” (Psalm 46:10) That doesn’t mean we must have a “perfect” faith. That doesn’t mean our immediate reaction to crises is to kneel and pray. Sometimes our humanity takes over, and we need a little time to surrender our burdens. But the point is, we do eventually get there.
God is not asking us to do anything but trust Him, fully trust Him. Fully surrender our circumstances into His capable hands.
Call out to Him. Trust He will answer, because He will. Trust He is there with us in trouble, because He truly is. Recall, He promises He will never leave us nor forsake us. (Hebrews 13:5) He will rescue us.
We can trust His promises, because His word never returns to Him void. (Isaiah 55:11)
I bet you too, wish this pandemic were over. It’s been a while, the days dragging on like years.
I bet you too, wish during these days of spring, we might enjoy the birdsong, feeling as we imagine the birds feel: without a care or concern.
Yet, here we are. In such a time as this.
How will you and I choose to live? In fear, in stress, in emotional agony?
Or, will you and I choose to live in His shadow, dwelling in His protection?
Refusing the adrenaline claiming that we must do something other than simply trust in Him?
Dwell with God.
He sees our circumstances.
Call out to Him.
He will always hear the voice of His child calling.
He will always answer and rescue us.
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, There are times I am afraid. There are times I forget to “be still and know, You are God.” There are times it is hard to be still, I feel like I must do something! Yet, You remind me I only need to trust You. Remind me again today, and each time I struggle to still me feet, my hands, and my racing thoughts. Help me grow in faith, trusting You have even this. Help me dwell with You, and be a peace to those around me. Thank You that You promise never to leave me on my own, that You see, You hear, and You love. I can trust You to act, and act in my best interest. Thank You that You have me, and I can wholeheartedly trust in You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.