Don't Be Afraid

 

The quote above is a favorite of mine from Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Psalm 91.  

During the pandemic, I have prayed Psalm 91, 121, and 139 for my family repeatedly.  We know people who have died of Covid, and with my husband's and my own age-related health issues, I have been afraid.  

We have prayed hard before each excursion and trusted the Lord to keep us safe.  I thought I heard the Lord say, "It will not come near you," and claimed this promise.

But last week our nine-year-old grandson was diagnosed with Covid, followed by every one of his close family members in succession.  I counted this as coming very near to me indeed! It threw me for a proverbial loop; I felt my defenses had been broached and fought through a sleepless night of being nearly overwhelmed by fear. 

Our grandson was very sick for two days and then recovered quickly, perhaps having an easier time than he otherwise would have done because he is fully vaccinated. The challenges his brothers and parents have faced have also been relatively minor. They did not feel well.  But they are recovering.  

When I sought the Lord, He did not explain Himself to me. He rarely does. 

It's no good nursing a grudge toward the Lord. If one works through this kind of upset somewhat respectfully, with Bible in hand, it isn't necessarily sinful, but beating one's fists against the chest of the Almighty God just doesn't have an impact.  He doesn't let go of us, He waits until we are through with our reaction to whatever life event has caught us off guard, and then He reminds us of truth: He will never leave or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5), nothing can separate us from His love (Romans 8:35), and He will work all things to our good (Romans 8:28).  Nothing catches Him by surprise, and He has planned for every future event, indeed, He is already there, working on our behalf. We don't have to understand, but we do need to trust.  

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But I trust in you, Lord;

    I say, “You are my God.”

My times are in your hands;

    deliver me from the hands of my enemies,

    from those who pursue me.

Let your face shine on your servant;

    save me in your unfailing love.

 Let me not be put to shame, Lord,

    for I have cried out to you...

Psalm 31:14-17