Crisis Thank you Upsplash Image
God Helps Us Find Hope During Crisis
It has been difficult to write Faith Breaks during the pandemic. Mostly because there has been so much written about Covid-19 with updates and media reports everywhere especially on Facebook and social media. Everyone has their say and opinion about what is the right thing to do. There are a lot of amateur scientists out there who seem to know more about research and viruses than the professionals. Some people post that the virus is nothing but a hoax. Four of my friends from Florida, Washington DC and Pittsburg have died from the virus that they are calling a hoax plus over 100,000 more just in the USA alone. I wonder what God is thinking about His beloved humans that He created and their response to this crisis. I wonder if God Himself is getting weary. Wait, there is more as the TV salespeople say. Serious troubles in our nation and the world have reared their ugly heads at this time adding to the dilemma. The devil looks at us and searches for our weak spots while planning his attack. “If I can just get them to divide and argue instead of standing together, I have a chance.” God on the other hand tells us to be united for the sake of the world and each other. Both God and the devil whisper in our ears and we have to decide once and for all who we are going to listen to and choose for ourselves life or death.
The Old Testament collection of Psalms found about in the middle of the Bible contains laments (prayers for help) songs of thanksgiving, hymns, royal psalms plus a few other types used for instruction, etc. We believe that King David wrote many of the psalms including the 23rd Psalm which is familiar to many people. It took a long time to put the book of Psalms together that witness to the troubles and joys of the people of Israel. Psalm 6 is a prayer for recovery from grave Illness. We can identify with that can’t we. Psalms 12 is a plea for help in evil times and Psalm 16 is a song of trust and security in God. During this time of spiritual unrest, the Psalms are God’s word of hope and can even bring us joy as we read, sing and pray them together. God is near and promised to never leave us.
Isaiah 41:13 reminds us that God said,
“…I am the Lord your God
who takes hold of your right hand
and says to you, Do not fear;
I will help you.”
I am including the 23rd Psalm in the King James Version (Old English) that many of us grew up learning and praying with family. Hold on to your faith and never give up hope.
God Bless You
Rev. Carol
Psalm 23
A Psalm of David.
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. (KJV)
