Encouragements for our troubled times No. 41
COVID-19 Series | Date: 31 December 2020
The Elders and Deacons want to encourage the members and those who regularly meet with us through this weekly letter. If you have news which you would be happy to share with the fellowship or request for prayer, then please let us know.
A message from our Pastor
Psalm 63:6-8
“When I remember You on my bed, I meditate on You in the night watches. Because You have been my help, therefore in the shadow of Your wings I will rejoice. My soul follows close behind You; Your right hand upholds me."
David wrote the psalm when he was in a fix. Saul was hot on his trail and he has had to flee into the wilderness of Judah. His situation seemed to be dire and fraught with danger. How could he evade capture by the King and his army? How could he escape with his life? It was when he had time to rest and reflect upon his predicament that his anxious thoughts found peace in reflecting upon his God. He knew that his God, who had helped him thus far, would not now leave him in trouble to sink.
We too, find ourselves in the midst of troubles. The pandemic has not weakened but has mutated into, at least two new, more virulent, strains. Although we now have several vaccines they are not, as yet, widely available. The new year is just a few days away but getting back to normal still seems a long way off. Now in the midst of all this, when we may be tempted to despair, we would do well to do as David did.
Firstly, to reflect upon our God. That He, the Sovereign God of all heaven and earth, is our God. And we can call Him our God because He has set His love upon us and chosen us as His own. It is Him that we should turn to at such times. We should long for Him and trust in His power and glory. Our hearts should praise Him for His lovingkindness that He always shows toward us. And we should trust Him knowing that whatever lays ahead, and no matter how dark the days may be, our souls will be safe in His keeping. These days of the pandemic are not over yet but we need not be like those who have no hope because they do not know our God. Our hope is in our God, therefore, we can be at peace in Him and we should keep our eyes upon our God who made heaven and earth.
Secondly, to remember His help in times past. It’s when David remembers His help in times past that he realises that he hides under the shadow of God's wing and is safe and, what comfort and relief we gain from reflecting upon God’s help in times past. How He has always helped us out of our problems and has never left us in trouble to sink. At the time it may have been difficult for us to perceive but as He has led us out of them all we have been able to say that He has been our help. Now, because thus far the Lord has helped us, we can be fully confident that He always will help us.
Our safety and peace in these troubled times lie in looking to our God and sticking close to Him where His right hand will uphold us and see us through.