Source of all Comfort

By Rev. Dean Davenport, Senior Pastor

Concern, anxiety and uncertainty don’t seem to be in short supply lately.  Coronavirus information and misinformation is swirling all around.  Our hearts and prayers go out to individuals and families in countries around the world that are devastated with thousands of cases.  

Our Country too is beginning to see increased cases and even death.  All of this is on the minds and hearts of people you know, maybe even yours.  The situation is out of our control, for the most part.  That alone is the reason for much of the concern – “we fear the most when we control the least”.

Take just a moment to read the 91st Psalm.  
Focus on the fact that God is our protection (vv 1-2)
God is powerful over all dangers and problems in life (vv 3-13)
and God gives His promises to all who trust in Him (vv 14-16)

Psalm 91
My Refuge and My Fortress
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”
For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler
and from the deadly pestilence.
He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.
You will not fear the terror of the night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,
nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness,
nor the destruction that wastes at noonday.
A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you.
You will only look with your eyes
and see the recompense of the wicked.
Because you have made the Lord your dwelling place—
the Most High, who is my refuge—
no evil shall be allowed to befall you,
no plague come near your tent.
For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways.
On their hands they will bear you up,
lest you strike your foot against a stone.
You will tread on the lion and the adder;
the young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot.
“Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him;
I will protect him, because he knows my name.
When he calls to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble;
I will rescue him and honor him.
With long life I will satisfy him
and show him my salvation.”

But wait, you say..."...He will deliver you from the deadly pestilence...the pestilence that stalks in darkness".

Why does it seem that God is not doing this?

Please remember that we who take refuge in the Lord are not exempt from these kinds of dangers, including the coronavirus and many others. We, like all the rest of creation, are living in a time where sin has a hold on us. Hurt, sickness, pain, brokenness, and even death are part of our everyday lives. Even in the midst of our sin and the brokenness of this world God promises to be with us. Romans 5:10 says that even while we were enemies of God, he came down to reconcile, make right, us to Him. And now that we are no longer enemies how much more shall we be saved by His life.

God will not allow dangers, threats or viruses separate us from Him, so we end up like "the wicked". Romans 8: 38-39 we are reminded that nothing can separate us from the love of Jesus Christ. Neither life, nor death, nor the coronavirus can separate us. Our security, hope, comfort and peace come from the promises God has already kept, the victory He has already won! ! And the promise of His return when sin and death and pestilence and viruses will be destroyed.

Jesus not only resisted Satan's temptations but destroyed Satan once and for all when He rose from the dead. So, even during dangerous times, even when we may be directly affected, we can remain confident of God's eternal protection.

Thank you, Lord, for Your security, strength and comfort in this world that’s falling apart. Strengthen our faith in the face of all dangers and make us bold to witness about You in these uncertain days. Amen.

God is the source of all comfort -2 Corinthians 1: 3-4
The Lord is our shepherd- Psalm 23
Forsake me not when my strength is spent- Psalm 71
Living Hope- 1 Peter 1: 3-9
Present Suffering and Future Glory- Romans 8:18-39

Cover photo by KEEM IBARRA on Unsplash