“When I am afraid, I will put my trust in You [God].” (Psalm 56:3, NASB95)
In a recent conversation, a man commented to me that he was so glad to see people not having to wear masks. We both mused on what life had been like before the COVID-19 pandemic. This man remarked that life was so much better before all the mess of the pandemic. We both shared stories from before the pandemic about how children were different, schools were reliable, working nine-to-five was seen as normal, and facemasks weren’t commonplace. Then, he ended the conversation with the words, “I am so glad that I had my vaccines and boosters. I would never have made it through without them.”
What shocked me about the man’s statement was that he was a Christian. He doesn’t attend church regularly, but he believes in God. Notice that his last comment implied that the COVID vaccines saved his life. He believes the vaccines saved him from suffering and death. While the vaccines did affect his health, I was surprised that he didn’t give the credit to God for saving his life. He gave credit to the vaccines.
Political and social rhetoric spread throughout the pandemic have totally damaged public opinion. They have shaped public views. Lies have spread to the faithful. In centuries past, people leaned on God to save them during a pandemic. Now, people find their hope elsewhere.
During the 15th century, a highly infectious airborne virus caused many to die in Europe. Millions prayed to God for strength, help, hope, and more. As the plague caused massive suffering in Florence, Italy, a man named Jacobo Soldi wrote a prayer that was shared and found on the lips of many. In that prayer, he wrote: “To you I pray, Almighty God, who is the cure of cures and healer of healers, salvation and life to all who hope in You….take this plague from your servants….Therefore, we flee to Your protection, O Mighty God, do not despise our petitions, but free us instead from this deadly pestilence….” (From Aleteia.org). The words of this prayer reflect the feeling of the faithful from that difficult time. Thousands read Soldi’s words and prayed them. The people threw themselves at the mercy of God, the “healer of healers”.
In today’s world, too many people (even Christians!) are not calling upon God to save and protect them during this pandemic. They may pray to God and even ask God to help, but in the back of their minds they are putting their trust in vaccines and medicines like Ivermectin and government policies and mask mandates. They listen to the Centers for Disease Control and Dr. Fauci and then determine how to live and what to do. They do not remain faithful or cry out to God. Instead, they put their future in the hands of scientists, completely ignoring the power of God. They act as if their Savior is a medicine and not Jesus Christ!
I’m not saying that medicines aren’t incredibly important. I’m not saying that people shouldn’t take vaccines. I’m saying that your heavenly future, your life, your faith, your joy don’t come from medical procedures. God is the source of your strength. God is the healer of healers. God has determined your days. God will determine whether you live or die. Vaccines and medicines are human attempts to ease a pandemic. God is the ultimate source of strength and healing and hope and life.
I was shocked during the pandemic when secular authorities banned the gathering of Christians. Yes, precautions should have been taken during the pandemic to protect life, but states like California forced churches to stop hosting worship services and funerals and gatherings while keeping liquor stores open! Pastors in Canada and the U.S. were arrested for offering worship services, and crazy people supported this! Even Christians fell into the false belief that not worshipping was better for the health of our communities and the future of the world! What a joke! Since those days when churches were forcefully closed, we have now found out that government enforced mandates have caused more suffering than the pandemic itself. Government leaders like Gov. Cuomo of New York caused more deaths from COVID due to his policies than would have died otherwise. Masks were touted as “saving lives” when we found out later, they were actually spreading the disease! Throughout it all, more and more Christians fell into the lie that medical practices, vaccines, government policies, and pharmaceutical companies were “saving lives”. What happened to God saving lives? What happened to the Christian belief that God is the ultimate healer? I wonder how many Christians sinned by relying more on medical practices than God’s healing power.
The scripture for today from Psalm 56:3 was written by David. He wrote the words while fighting the Philistines. In this dark hour of his own life, when everything was threatened, David did not give his full trust to his armies. He did not ultimately turn his life over to his military leadership. David did not put his faith in swords and military weapons. He trusted in God. He put his ultimate faith in God’s hands. He knew his future was in God’s own discretion. Thus, David wrote, “When I am afraid, I will put my trust in You…. In God I have put my trust; I shall not be afraid.” (Psalm 56:3,4). David didn’t ask God for a stronger army. He didn’t place his hope on a super-weapon to defeat the Philistines. He put his whole attention on God. He refused to be afraid at all that might go wrong. He didn’t play the “what-if” game night and day. He didn’t fall apart or get emotional or run away. He put his trust in God and refused to become afraid of taking his next steps. David knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that his future was in God’s hands.
When life gets crazy, lean on God. Though others cower in fear, put your trust in God. During this pandemic, do not rely on worldly powers for your peace and protection. Rely on God Almighty, the Healer of Healers, your Savior! Don’t get caught up in the worldly rhetoric where potions and medicines and vaccines and masks will save you. Trust in God! Follow God’s guidance! Do what HE tells you to do! Obey HIS Spirit! God not only saves you, HE determines the future of your life. God already has planned for your death. In the meantime, put your full trust and faith in the God who loves you, the Divine Power who rules Heaven and Earth! Resolve today to make God first in your life. Go to God first with your hopes and fears and needs and dreams. Follow HIS guidance. Put faith in His Word. Ask for HIS healing grace. Your earthly life may last a few decades if you are blessed, but your future is meant to be in Heaven for all eternity…. And only the those who trust God completely (especially during a pandemic!) end up there.
What shocked me about the man’s statement was that he was a Christian. He doesn’t attend church regularly, but he believes in God. Notice that his last comment implied that the COVID vaccines saved his life. He believes the vaccines saved him from suffering and death. While the vaccines did affect his health, I was surprised that he didn’t give the credit to God for saving his life. He gave credit to the vaccines.
Political and social rhetoric spread throughout the pandemic have totally damaged public opinion. They have shaped public views. Lies have spread to the faithful. In centuries past, people leaned on God to save them during a pandemic. Now, people find their hope elsewhere.
During the 15th century, a highly infectious airborne virus caused many to die in Europe. Millions prayed to God for strength, help, hope, and more. As the plague caused massive suffering in Florence, Italy, a man named Jacobo Soldi wrote a prayer that was shared and found on the lips of many. In that prayer, he wrote: “To you I pray, Almighty God, who is the cure of cures and healer of healers, salvation and life to all who hope in You….take this plague from your servants….Therefore, we flee to Your protection, O Mighty God, do not despise our petitions, but free us instead from this deadly pestilence….” (From Aleteia.org). The words of this prayer reflect the feeling of the faithful from that difficult time. Thousands read Soldi’s words and prayed them. The people threw themselves at the mercy of God, the “healer of healers”.
In today’s world, too many people (even Christians!) are not calling upon God to save and protect them during this pandemic. They may pray to God and even ask God to help, but in the back of their minds they are putting their trust in vaccines and medicines like Ivermectin and government policies and mask mandates. They listen to the Centers for Disease Control and Dr. Fauci and then determine how to live and what to do. They do not remain faithful or cry out to God. Instead, they put their future in the hands of scientists, completely ignoring the power of God. They act as if their Savior is a medicine and not Jesus Christ!
I’m not saying that medicines aren’t incredibly important. I’m not saying that people shouldn’t take vaccines. I’m saying that your heavenly future, your life, your faith, your joy don’t come from medical procedures. God is the source of your strength. God is the healer of healers. God has determined your days. God will determine whether you live or die. Vaccines and medicines are human attempts to ease a pandemic. God is the ultimate source of strength and healing and hope and life.
I was shocked during the pandemic when secular authorities banned the gathering of Christians. Yes, precautions should have been taken during the pandemic to protect life, but states like California forced churches to stop hosting worship services and funerals and gatherings while keeping liquor stores open! Pastors in Canada and the U.S. were arrested for offering worship services, and crazy people supported this! Even Christians fell into the false belief that not worshipping was better for the health of our communities and the future of the world! What a joke! Since those days when churches were forcefully closed, we have now found out that government enforced mandates have caused more suffering than the pandemic itself. Government leaders like Gov. Cuomo of New York caused more deaths from COVID due to his policies than would have died otherwise. Masks were touted as “saving lives” when we found out later, they were actually spreading the disease! Throughout it all, more and more Christians fell into the lie that medical practices, vaccines, government policies, and pharmaceutical companies were “saving lives”. What happened to God saving lives? What happened to the Christian belief that God is the ultimate healer? I wonder how many Christians sinned by relying more on medical practices than God’s healing power.
The scripture for today from Psalm 56:3 was written by David. He wrote the words while fighting the Philistines. In this dark hour of his own life, when everything was threatened, David did not give his full trust to his armies. He did not ultimately turn his life over to his military leadership. David did not put his faith in swords and military weapons. He trusted in God. He put his ultimate faith in God’s hands. He knew his future was in God’s own discretion. Thus, David wrote, “When I am afraid, I will put my trust in You…. In God I have put my trust; I shall not be afraid.” (Psalm 56:3,4). David didn’t ask God for a stronger army. He didn’t place his hope on a super-weapon to defeat the Philistines. He put his whole attention on God. He refused to be afraid at all that might go wrong. He didn’t play the “what-if” game night and day. He didn’t fall apart or get emotional or run away. He put his trust in God and refused to become afraid of taking his next steps. David knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that his future was in God’s hands.
When life gets crazy, lean on God. Though others cower in fear, put your trust in God. During this pandemic, do not rely on worldly powers for your peace and protection. Rely on God Almighty, the Healer of Healers, your Savior! Don’t get caught up in the worldly rhetoric where potions and medicines and vaccines and masks will save you. Trust in God! Follow God’s guidance! Do what HE tells you to do! Obey HIS Spirit! God not only saves you, HE determines the future of your life. God already has planned for your death. In the meantime, put your full trust and faith in the God who loves you, the Divine Power who rules Heaven and Earth! Resolve today to make God first in your life. Go to God first with your hopes and fears and needs and dreams. Follow HIS guidance. Put faith in His Word. Ask for HIS healing grace. Your earthly life may last a few decades if you are blessed, but your future is meant to be in Heaven for all eternity…. And only the those who trust God completely (especially during a pandemic!) end up there.