Good morning,
We are living in unprecedented times. The COVID-19 has caused upheaval in our personal, work, financial, recreational, and spiritual lives. All of us are being impacted.
How should we deal with this crisis? Some are hoarding. Some are complaining. Some are seeking answers. While others question the government and healthcare community. Some pray for God’s intervention.
Christians should go back to the basics.
Christians need to wait patiently.
Right now, most of our patience is threadbare. We are not willing to be patient. We want to see the COVID-19 go away so that we can get back to “normal”.
I am a structured person. My routine centers around waking up early, reading my Bible, going to the gym, then to Starbucks for breakfast, coffee, news updates, come home and work on the project of the day, go to the Wasilla Area Seniors, Inc (WASI) senior center for lunch, pick-up the mail, and home again.
The gym is closed, Starbucks is drive-thru only, the senior center is closed. My routine is in shambles.
I am not alone! Each of us has a routine that is in shambles. So how do we cope? What does the Bible tell us about being patient?
Maybe we should take a page out of David’s playbook, Psalm 13.
David was a patient man. Saul was pursuing him for many years. He was always on the run. He lived in cave, tents, and in the enemy’s land. Yet he waited.
Psalm 13 David prays about this. He asks God to act and yet he really wants God’s will.
“How long wilt thou forget me, O Lord? for ever? how long wilt thou hide thy face from me?2 How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily? how long shall mine enemy be exalted over me?3 Consider and hear me, O Lord my God: lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death;4 Lest mine enemy say, I have prevailed against him; and those that trouble me rejoice when I am moved.5 But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation.6 I will sing unto the Lord, because he hath dealt bountifully with me.”
David knew who to trust. When David’s patience was running low, he did four things.
First, he trusted in the mercy of the Lord. He rested in God. He had already witnessed the great power of God. He knew of the love and kindness of God.
Second, he rejoiced in the salvation of God. When in battle, it was God that brought him through.
Third, he sang songs of worship and praise to God. He focused his mind on God. The Psalms are the fruit of his labors. Songs extolling the goodness of God in all circumstances.
Fourth, he realized God’s bounty. Whether spiritual or material, God took care of David and his rag tag army. He supplied food, clothing, shelter, and hideouts. He surrounded him with unseen angels of protection. He gave him wisdom and discernment.
When the going got tough, David went to God.
Is that where we go? When the going gets tough for us, do we do what David did or take matters into our own hands? God is much better equipped to deal with our adversities than we are. Why don’t we let Him.
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001
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