He Has Defeated Death
Pandemic Series
“We can flee to his protection, knowing that nothing can separate us from the love in Christ Jesus…”
“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.”
Explanation:
Psalm 91 is famous for its language of deliverance from pestilence and plague. Yet, is often misunderstood in some sense. The language certainly seems to paint a picture that God will deliver his people and keep them safe from disease and destruction. However, we must remember that in the ancient Israelite context of this Psalm is that he is speaking to a nation as a whole. In other words, nothing was going to keep Israel from becoming the nation of promise that God had declared. Virus or disease was not going to come between God and his people. On an individual level, we must still wrestle with the mysteries of God. The Psalm does not answer the question of why. However, it does reassure us that God is always working all things together for the good of his people, according to his promise.¹
Connection:
For the last year, the COVID-19 Coronavirus pandemic has shaken the foundations of the world. A single microscopic virus has brought the world's massive economic machine to a grinding halt and they are only beginning to recover. What's more, healthcare systems were being overrun, and many people have died of the highly infectious disease. Uncertainty abounds as millions have lost employment, and the models of experts seem to be imprecise at best. Even our houses of worship had to shut down - even during Holy Week of 2020. Millions of Christians across the world worshipped from home on Easter Sunday - something that seems almost unthinkable.
In times of such unprecedented upheaval, it is difficult not to be afraid. As followers of Christ, we wrestle with this beast of a disease which presents many questions. Why does God allow disease to occur? Why is God shutting down places of worship? Why is God taking my job away from me? In a world so fixated on economics, these questions force us to face ourselves. Yet, we know that God has already defeated the ultimate enemy which is death. No matter what happens, we know that Christ has overcome this fallen world and we can take refuge in his promise of resurrection. Therefore, we can flee to his protection, knowing that nothing can separate us from the love in Christ Jesus.
Action:
1. Take Refuge -
Verse 9 assures us that when we dwell in God Most High, nothing can remove us from his presence. Therefore, make it a point to seek refuge in the shadow of his wings, trusting in his promise to you.
2. Pray for your Land -
The current pandemic has certainly taken a huge toll on the world. It is beneficial in times like these to pray for those who are in harm's way such as first responders, doctors, nurses, and other essential personnel. Therefore, it is always a good idea to bring things to God in prayer, as he teaches us in the scriptures (1 John 5:14).
3. Be Available -
While it is always good to be willing to help, it is important to exercise prudence and wisdom in times like these so as to not contribute to the spread of disease amongst your neighbors. Therefore, if your presence is not needed, it is likely best to keep a safe distance from any given situation. If it is determined that your neighbor needs you, take all necessary precautions to keep the disease from spreading further. As in all things, the Christian is given the freedom to love and serve using their sanctified reason. It may be of equal value to donate to causes that do not require your direct involvement, but allow you to contribute in ways you see fit.
¹Nancy L. DeClaisse-Walford, Rolf A. Jacobson, and Beth LaNeel Tanner, The Book of Psalms, The New International Commentary On the Old Testament (Grand Rapids, Michigan: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2014), 963.