You’ve heard this statement so many times you can’t even count, “We’ve never seen anything like this before.” Social Distancing, now that’s a word that exploded on the scene a few months ago. I did an internet search for it and got 1.15 Billion hits in less than one second. By the way, there is a “Social Distancing Scoreboard” as to how
states and counties rate in doing Social Distancing—Alabama got an “F.”
Psychologists tell us introverts are handling Social Distancing better than extroverts. Some folks are wired to enjoy being by themselves more than others. In the church, we love FELLOWSHIP. We enjoy a hearty handshake or hug and it’s tough giving “virtual hugs.”
I’m usually preaching in a different church every Sunday across Alabama, but since the middle of March I’ve only done Zoom, Facebook Live or Video preaching. It is a different world for all of us. Some of you stepped away from public gatherings for a while, and many are just recently returning to the church building, carefully, to see a portion of your people.
Psalm 91 gives us some key Biblical truths to live by when the world is facing a pandemic. Living by the truths in this text will enable you to enjoy God’s peace while many others are panicking. God’s Word is the foundation to stand upon anytime and especially during a health crisis.
The Word of God declares in Psalm 91:1-6, “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty b. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust. Surely, He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the perilous pestilence. He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler. You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flies by day, nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.”
Hebrew names weren’t trendy, they were often descriptive or prophetic. Here are four in this text that describe God:
1)The Most High (E-lyon): He cannot be compared to anyone, He is above all things, He owns and is ruler over everything. Supreme! Nothing above Him. The Most high God. Do not fear the enemy who tries to intimidate you. Know that your God is the Most High God.
2) Almighty (Shad-da-i): Gives us the awareness of God being all-powerful, all-sufficient, a Sovereign ruler who is present all the time. Absolute power! The creator. Supernatural (above the natural). God Almighty, the mighty One of Jacob. He truly is the Almighty Creator of heaven and earth.
3) Lord (Yah-weh) Reveals God’s nature in the highest and fullest sense, stressing His absolute faithfulness to fulfill His promises. The “Self-existent One.”
4) Fortress (Elo-hi-m): Reveals to us God’s intensity in revealing His power, preservation and preparation. God is creator, powerful and mighty, Lord of lords. He is the Lord
Most High, stronger and mightier than anyone or anything. When you face impossible circumstances or adversaries, now that your God is stronger.
God is the one to look to when we’re living through an epidemic or pandemic. Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God (Psalm 20:7).