Truth for Times of Trouble
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Psalms 46:1 (KJV)
Question: What do you know to be true about God? This is a significant question due to the turbulent time of troubles that are currently confronting us. You must be closed in a coffin and covered with dirt not to be drenched with the doom and disaster of the daily news. Now, I am not dismissive to the reality that we are gripped by the global coronavirus (renamed COVID-19 by the World Health Organization) pandemic and along with it governmental declarations, Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommendations, and a severe and significant economic implosion. But beloved body of Christ, the media capitalizes on crisis in order to cash in!
Listen to this headline from a local newspaper: “As Corona Virus Kills More Floridians, How High Could the Death Toll Go?” Florida's death toll has reached twelve individuals but experts say there is no way to gauge the ceiling on the total number of deaths as the virus hits hard among the state's elderly population. What they do not tell you is that if you should contract COVID-19, it is not an automatic death sentence! The numbers of those who do not die from the virus seriously devours the number of those that do perish from the pandemic. The media also deliberately avoids reporting the facts. According to the CDC, although many are paralyzed in a panic about the COVID-19, there is an even deadlier virus many people are forgetting about: the flu.
Flu season is hitting its stride right now in the United States. So far, the CDC has estimated (based on weekly influenza surveillance data) that at least 12,000 people have died from influenza between Oct. 1, 2019 and Feb. 1, 2020 and the number of deaths may be as high as 30,000. The CDC also estimates that up to 31 million Americans have caught the flu this season, with 210,000 to 370,000 flu sufferers hospitalized because of the virus.
In troubled times God’s people need to declare what is true about God. When we declare what we believe about God, it will assist us in fixing our minds and hearts to the facts and thereby not succumb to the servitude of fear.
“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.” Romans 8:14-15 (KJV)
An attitude of fear or faith is indicative of one’s heart because out of the heart the mouth speaks (Luke 6:45). In addition, it also conveys our conscience because, according to the Word of God: as a man thinks so he is (Proverbs 23:7). One of the many declarations of truth about God is that He is with you in times of trouble and trials. Genesis chapter 39 shares the fact that Joseph found himself caught in and confronted with trouble multiple times. However, there a consistent declaration of truth about the God in whom Joseph believed; four times we read that the Lord was with Joseph regardless of his circumstances (Genesis 39:2, 3, 21, 23).
In the opening of Psalm 46 the psalmist declares what he believes and knows to be true about God: He is our Refuge (Shelter) and strength. He is always available and always around to help! A declaration of what is true about God will direct us to liberation and the elimination of fear. Choose to be set free today!
For the Glory of God,
PBKSR