PSALM 91 SPEAKS TO YOUR CORONAVIRUS FEARS - this Psalm speaks God’s power, presence, intentions, and protection against fear - described as a covering for His people, God’s comfort is a wing of security amidst this world’s uncertainties and suffering - Psalm 91 bursts with assurances about the protection of God — replete with words like shelter, refuge, fortress, shield, deliver, rescue, and satisfy. Verses in this Psalm do appear to promise present, bodily deliverance from pestilence. The word pestilence means any sudden fatal epidemic or pandemic, and in its Biblical use it generally indicates that these are divine visitations. God’s promised deliverance is spiritual in the present, while being spiritual and bodily in the age to come. We know that in God’s common grace in this world and in His Fatherly love for believers, all bodily healing that does happen in this life is from His generous hand. We know that God’s plans for this world are secure — His plans for Israel, as well as His plans for the Church and all believers. In our times, God has promised the believer that He has prepared good works for us to do. No coronavirus can come between us and His plans. For the believer, being able to glorify God with our lives is the ultimate hope and dream for this life. Being able to fulfill His will for us cannot be disrupted or cancelled.

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How Psalm 91 Speaks to Your Coronavirus Fears

this Psalm speaks God’s power, presence, intentions, and protection against fear - described as a covering for His people, God’s comfort is a wing of security amidst this world’s uncertainties and suffering

Lianna Davis

Psalm 91 bursts with assurances about the protection of God — replete with words like shelter, refuge, fortress, shield, deliver, rescue, and satisfy.

At this time of global pandemic with the novel coronavirus COVID-19, this Psalm speaks God’s power, presence, intentions, and protection against fear.

Described as a covering for His people, God’s comfort is a wing of security amidst this world’s uncertainties and suffering.

Will God Protect Us from Pestilence?

Psalm 91 was used by Satan to tempt Jesus in the desert (see Matthew 4:5-7).

The Devil said that surely Jesus could place Himself in the way of harm in order to demonstrate the rescuing power of God.

But Satan misused God’s Word, removing it from the context of the whole and unity of Scripture.

Jesus, honoring Scripture, responded that God is not to be put to the test.

Careless behavior is not condoned by God — and neither is misuse of Scripture.

Learning from Jesus, then, we also must handle Scripture well in our times.

That God is our refuge, comfort, and shade amidst pandemic does not mean that if we believe in Jesus Christ we have physical immunity to COVID-19 — all credible commentators agree.

However, verses in this Psalm do appear to promise present, bodily deliverance from pestilence.

The word pestilence means any sudden fatal epidemic or pandemic, and in its Biblical use it generally indicates that these are divine visitations.

The word is most frequently used in the prophetic books.

Consider, for example, verses 3 and 6: “For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence” and “You will not fear . . . the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor the destruction that wastes at noonday.”

How do we faithfully interpret those statements?

Israelite Context

First, we can remember God’s covenants with Israel, in which God promises abundance as the nation is faithful.

As listeners of this psalm commit themselves to God, He would give success in their purpose of inhabiting the promised land and being God’s beacon to the nations.

As they trusted, no pestilence would keep the Israelite army from defeating its enemies and from becoming the nation God promised.

Consider Exodus 19:4-6a, which contains similar imagery to Psalm 91 of God’s protective wing:

"You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine; and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation."

The psalm does not promise, then, that no Israelite would ever become ill.

God promised that no pandemic would keep them from being the nation He foretold they would become.

And the ones who would become ill and pass from this life are not excluded from the promises of God for Israel that will be fulfilled at the end of this age.

https://youtu.be/fmf3hXwSLn4

Other Interpretive Considerations

Three other interpretive notes can be considered concerning God’s deliverance from pestilence.

Perhaps this deliverance refers to a wide range of persistent attacks, including spiritual — and not necessarily always referring to illnesses.

In this case, pestilence would be “a figure for various evils” literally meaning “plagues of mischiefs,” as stated in the Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible.

The deliverance promised can involve spiritual deliverance and protection for those who trust the Lord in the midst of these outward difficulties.

As J. A. Motyer states, “the promise is not security from but security in” (emphasis in original).

The deliverance could also refer to future glory. Tremper Longmann writes, “Christians can pray Psalm 91, knowing that God is with them in the spiritual battle of this life and that, in Christ, God will give them eternal life.”

What Is God’s Deliverance?

To apply this to deliverance amidst COVID-19, we can glean the following principles:

1. We know from the wider testimony of Scripture that God’s promised deliverance is spiritual in the present, while being spiritual and bodily in the age to come.

2. We know that in God’s common grace in this world and in His Fatherly love for believers, all bodily healing that does happen in this life is from His generous hand.

3. We know that God’s plans for this world are secure — His plans for Israel, as well as His plans for the Church and all believers.

What Is the Message of Psalm 91?

In the Israelite context of this psalm, a promise was made to a new nation that no purpose of God’s could be thwarted.

In our times, God has promised the believer that He has prepared good works for us to do (Ephesians 2:10).

No coronavirus can come between us and His plans. For the believer, being able to glorify God with our lives is the ultimate hope and dream for this life.

Being able to fulfill His will for us cannot be disrupted or cancelled.

Hear God’s message to you that your life is beneath the shelter and shadow of His wings.

He is your life’s fortress, delivering you to spiritual strength now and certain bodily strength as well in eternity.

This day, no arrows of evil or of disease can touch the meaning and purpose that God is pulling from your life.

Make the Lord your refuge, and nothing will be able to affect or infect you that will diminish God’s purposes for you.

The psalm ends with what is referred to by commentators as a divine oracle.

God is speaking to His people. And He promises that those who call upon Him will be answered; that those who hold fast to Him will be delivered; that those who trust Him for who He is will be protected.

How Can We 'Rest in the Shadow of the Almighty'?

Jesus gives us words in Luke 21 that are parallel in theme to Psalm 91.

Hearing them and receiving them into our spirits, we can receive the security that Psalm 91 promises to rest in our Almighty God.

In Luke 21, Jesus is speaking about the signs of the end of times.

In verse 10, He speaks of wars — of nation rising against nation.

In verse 11, He speaks of earthquake, famine, pestilence, terrors, and signs from heaven.

In verses 12-17, He talks of persecution for Christians and times when we will be delivered over to authorities for death.

He concludes in verses 18-19: “But not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your lives.”

Think about this: Jesus says that in dying, not a hair on our heads will perish.

We who believe are spiritually secure through Christ — never to face judgment. We are eternally secure — headed to the place of no suffering or pain.

We are presently secure in purpose — no event of the world can surprise, overwhelm, or demote us from fulfilling God’s good works for us here.

And, by Jesus’ words, we are to consider ourselves miraculously secure when meeting the eruptive trials of this life.

God’s protection is beyond our understanding. And so, my conviction is to read Psalm 91 exactly how it sounds — that nothing even of my body can be touched by the coronavirus.

Though I die, not a hair of my head will perish. Even if my body is touched by COVID-19, it cannot be harmed.

In the paradox is the hope. For, the age to come is not ever to be viewed by the believer as a distant and abstract reality.

Touch the hairs of your head — reach up and grab them.

Know that you are the Lord’s and no evil or manifestation of evil in this world can touch you, not even a strand you hold.

You will suffer in this world. Yet, Jesus has overcome it.

So, you being in Him, nothing can touch you. Whatever does touch you, His hand is the closer layer abiding over you like a shadow of protection.

9 Ways We Can Take Comfort in God During Coronavirus Fears

Knowing this God is our comfort. Psalm 91 describes Him as our shelter, shadow, refuge, fortress, refuge, shield, buckler, dwelling, rescuer, and protection.

1. Shelter (verse 1):  God is our hiding place, covering us with His good purposes.

2. Shadow (verse 1):   God is over and beyond us — seeing more than we see and knowing more than we know. We can rest in His shadow.

3. Refuge (verse 2): He is a safe place for us of security; we climb into Him.

4. Fortress (verse 2): He is our defense whose promises cannot be inhibited.
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5. Shield (verse 4): Resting in our God deflects the enemies of fear and doubt in times of trial.

6. Buckler (or, shield that completely engulfs) (verse 4): He is a defense on every side. He knows every part of us and our lives — no aspect is beyond His reach.

7. Dwelling (verse 9): God’s protection is not fleeting; His protection serves for our continual habitation.

8. Rescuer (verse 14): He leads us off with Him, drawing us to Himself and rescuing us from being overcome by the world.

9. Protection (verse 14): In His protection, He carries us to an elevated place — by trusting in Him, our minds and hearts become inaccessible to the churning fears below.

As believers, we have committed to Christ that our lives and times are in His hands; our dream is that our days might bring Him eternal glory.

The reality of God’s comfort and power to deliver us to eternal life is what gives us the spiritual deliverance from being dominated by pandemic in these days.

The promises of God – of life to come and of His divine purposes in this life – shade, shelter, and satisfy us.

When fears of the coronavirus and its impacts surround us, how much fiercer is the security of an infinite God!

Psalm 91

Now, read the psalm in full, and meditate on the truths of God’s comfort and protection:

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High

will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.

I will say to the LORD, “My refuge and my fortress,

my God, in whom I trust.”

For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler

and from the deadly pestilence.

He will cover you with his pinions,

and under his wings you will find refuge;

his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.

You will not fear the terror of the night,

nor the arrow that flies by day,

nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness,

nor the destruction that wastes at noonday.

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.”

(Psalm 91)

https://youtu.be/uxLdH2y3Q-U

Lianna Davis is author of Keeping the Faith: A Study in Jude and Made for a Different Land: Eternal Hope for Baby Loss. She and her husband, Tyler, live outside of Dallas, Texas and have two dear daughters.

https://www.biblestudytools.com/bible-study/topical-studies/how-psalm-91-speaks-to-your-coronavirus-fears.html?utm_source=blueconic&utm_medium=contentrec

THINGS THE CHURCH MUST DO IN RESPONSE TO THE CORONAVIRUS - The media usually garners followers by sensationalizing everything that happens so as to drive traffic toward their platform (to acquire more advertising sponsors). The church has to learn to see beyond groupthink, politics and media, and discern the difference between hype and reality. The church has an obligation to post relative information related to public health measures that must be practiced to curtail the spread of the virus. Since the body of Christ has consistent, weekly gatherings, it is a matter of stewardship that we cooperate with reasonable guidelines disseminated by public health and city officials. Pray for the opportunity to share the gospel with people afraid of dying. Times like these confront humanity with their own mortality and force them to think about eternity. True Christ followers should have no fear of death; consequently, everyone we meet walking in fear should be a candidate to hear the gospel during these days. Earnestly fast and pray for a global spiritual awakening. The whole world, with its vast scientific, technological advances and burgeoning affluence, is being confronted with their frailty and fragility. They continually find out that there are many things that are beyond their control!

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10 Things the Church Must Do in Response to the Coronavirus

Joseph Mattera

In all my years I have never seen this kind of panic related to the potential spread of an illness.

The kind of panic and fear I observe regularly on the faces of the public almost rivals what I observed when I was in Manhattan after the Twin Towers were toppled and the Pentagon attacked on Sept. 11, 2001!

As always, I try to ponder how the church should respond during these experiences.

The following are 10 things the church must do during this present global situation:

·     Discern between political hyperbole and reality.

I am amazed with how opportunistic so many political leaders are during this crisis! Unfortunately, the media usually garners followers by sensationalizing everything that happens so as to drive traffic toward their platform (to acquire more advertising sponsors).

The church has to learn to see beyond groupthink, politics and media, and discern the difference between hype and reality.

·     Teach public and private health.

The church has an obligation to post relative information related to public health measures that must be practiced to curtail the spread of the virus.

Since the body of Christ has consistent, weekly gatherings, it is a matter of stewardship that we cooperate with reasonable guidelines disseminated by public health and city officials.

·     Pray for the opportunity to share the gospel with people afraid of dying.

This is an amazing opportunity to share the gospel of Jesus! Jesus has already destroyed death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. (See 2 Timothy 1:10.)

Times like these confront humanity with their own mortality and force them to think about eternity.

True Christ followers should have no fear of death; consequently, everyone we meet walking in fear should be a candidate to hear the gospel during these days.

·    Earnestly fast and pray for a global spiritual awakening.

The whole world, with its vast scientific, technological advances and burgeoning affluence, is being confronted with their frailty and fragility.

They continually find out that there are many things that are beyond their control!

I believe the time is ripe for a global "Great Awakening," as the pride of humanity is being brought low and masses of people are being unsettled by this virus and other huge challenges.

·     Pray for our nation's leaders.

One of the primary things all churches should do when they gather is pray for our political leaders (see 2 Timothy 2:1-4).

The potential problems associated with a pandemic are way beyond the scope of their learning and expertise.

The present issues related to public health are negatively affecting global travel, the stock market, numerous businesses and national security.

In light of all this, it is very difficult to plan for adequate contingencies.

Now, more than ever, the body of Christ needs to intercede for leaders and believe that God will grant them a spirit of humility, cooperation (instead of political competition) and wisdom as they interface with experts in the fields of health, national security, commerce and international relations.

·     Care for vulnerable church members.

The Bible makes it clear that the church is called to do good to all men — but especially to the household of faith (see Galatians 6:10).

We especially need to look out for older and disabled church members who do not have the adequate resources from family members to get by.

We also have to make sure they have adequate food and hygienic supplies if panic shopping precludes their ability to purchase these necessities.

·     Look for ways to love our neighbor.

In every community there are vulnerable people. During a panic, the population goes into survival mode and its default position is "every man is for himself."

We need to look out for ways to behave differently from the world in this present distress.

Part of how we can do this is by making sure the elderly, disabled and other groups of vulnerable people have all they need regarding food, toiletries and care.

In the midst of this atmosphere, believers can shine like bright lights to the world (see Philippians 2:15) as they put others before themselves and mimic the attitude of the Lord Jesus (see Philippians 2:4-12).

·     Proactively learn preventative health, not only divine healing.

I rarely get sick — even if I am around people who have the flu and other contagious ailments.

In 36 plus years of overseeing a local church, I have never missed a Sunday service because of a sickness.

This is because — as a matter of godly stewardship — I have taken the time to study nutrition, get enough sleep, exercise regularly and practice regular fasting.

Most of the deaths from the coronavirus are among those who already had underlying health issues, whose immune system was already compromised.

Consequently, the average person who is constantly eating processed food, snacking in between their (many) meals, as well as eating late at night, will compromise their immune system.

This is because much of our body's energy is going toward digesting food; hence, if your body's energy is depleted, it doesn't have enough in the tank to restore itself and focus on fighting off sickness and disease.

Also, if you are consuming a lot of animal-based products and processed food, it takes a huge toll on your body, since these are difficult to digest (which leads to inflammation, which is the root cause of cancer, arthritis and other serious maladies).

The plant-based diet of Genesis 1:29 is actually the "species specific" diet God granted to human beings.

Thankfully, more and more scientific studies are confirming the amazing health benefits of this diet. (Out of the numerous studies there are now some compelling documentaries, such as The Game Changers on Netflix, Fork Over Knives, as well as countless others (Dr. Jason Fung is known as a health expert on the benefits of water fasting and there are numerous videos of his teaching on YouTube).

Consequently, I only eat two to three meals per day, with no eating in between meals, and I fast about 15-20 hours most days.

I have enough energy to keep a demanding schedule while participating in rigorous physical training.

This discipline related to my biological health enables me to frequently travel, write, preach, pray and spend quality time with my family in spite of the fact that I am over 60 years old.

Also, if a person wants to take further precaution before traveling and going into a public space, taking strong probiotics first thing in the morning and having adequate doses of Vitamin C may aid in immunity enhancement.

Unfortunately, many believers think they can violate natural law and live recklessly because they can pray for divine healing.

However, the same God who said "I am the Lord who heals you" (Exodus 15:26) is the same God who gave us species specific guidelines related to diet (Genesis 1:29).

Although I am a huge proponent of divine healing, I also believe it is a matter of stewardship to do our part in caring for our physical health.

·     Stay on top of current events.

The church is called to function on the leading edge of proactive prophetic action as well as rapid response.

In order to function this way, we need to operate similar to the "sons of Issachar," who were men who understood the times and knew what Israel should do (see 1 Chronicles 12:32).

Consequently, every believer has to be regularly informed regarding current events and be mobilized to serve in the workplace, not just within church buildings.

·     Fear not!

With the nonstop panic being generated by incessant media hype related to the spread of the coronavirus, the general populace is engulfed with a spirit of fear.

This is an opportune time for Christ followers to arise and be the exemplars who operate in faith and wisdom instead of fear.

How can we do this? Is it because believers embrace a form of fideism or mysticism, or is our faith rooted in reality?

Scripture makes it clear that we are to "fear not" and that God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, of love and of a sound mind (see Isaiah 41:10 and 2 Timothy 1:7).

This is because believers are rooted and grounded in the God of creation who alone should be their trust, fortress and foundation of faith.

Hence, since we are grounded in the One who created the cosmos, we are commanded to fear not, even when the earth is quaking and unstable (see Psalm 46).

Moreover, because Jesus conquered death through His resurrection and has the keys of hell and death, He also tells His followers to "fear not"! (See Revelation 1:17-18).

In conclusion, Christ followers are not to fear what the world fears (see Jeremiah 10:2) and are not to be conformed to this world system (Romans 12:1-2).

Whenever a global crisis breaks out, the church is called to discern the times, know what to do, and function as the salt of the earth and light of the world.

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Dr. Joseph Mattera is an internationally-known author, consultant, and theologian whose mission is to influence leaders who influence culture. He is the founding pastor of Resurrection Church, and leads several organizations, including The U.S. Coalition of Apostolic Leaders and Christ Covenant Coalition. Dr. Mattera is the author of 12 bestselling books, including his latest “The Jesus Principles,” and is renown for applying Scripture to contemporary culture. To order his books or to join the many thousands who subscribe to his newsletter go to www.josephmattera.org.

https://www.charismanews.com/opinion/the-pulse/80276-10-things-the-church-must-do-in-response-to-the-coronavirus

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CAN GOD BE TOO FAR AWAY? CAN HE BE TOO NEAR? - God’s character is not a menu where you choose the attributes you like and forget the other ones - to worship the true God of Scripture, we must see Him as all that He is, not just part of who He is - Similarly, we don’t want to make the mistake of choosing God’s immanence over His transcendence. Both are a part of His revealed nature. God holds all things together. He is present in His creation. The interest and participation of God in His world is called His immanence. But He is also transcendent — that is, He exists above and completely independent from all created things, outside of space and time, in holiness and righteousness and perfection. No one knows His mind or gives Him counsel. His ways and thoughts are higher than ours, just like the vast distance between Heaven and earth. We must first see the transcendent greatness and grandeur of God in order to have a true picture of our own sin, and thus to know the fullness of His love and His truly amazing grace. Let’s not bypass God’s glory in our rush to embrace His goodness. And let’s never forget how very far His majesty had to stoop to reach this broken world… and all of us, His children.

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Can God Be Too Far Away? Can He Be Too Near?

God’s character is not a menu where you choose the attributes you like and forget the other ones - to worship the true God of Scripture, we must see Him as all that He is, not just part of who He is

Randy Alcorn

“The Lord is high above all nations; his glory is above the Heavens. Who is like the Lord our God, who is enthroned on high! Who humbles himself to behold the things that are in Heaven and in the Earth?” - Psalm 113: 4-5

We never want to make the mistake of trying to pick and choose from God’s attributes to fit our own limited view of Him.

God’s love might endear Him to us more than His holiness or His wrath.

But we must never minimize or downplay any of His attributes for our own purposes, including our comfort.

Are we completely astonished by the grace and mercy of God?

Do we truly think of it as “amazing” grace? Or do we feel somewhat entitled to it?

Do we expect God to show mercy, because after all, He is loving and kind and compassionate, so we take His grace for granted?

Scripture portrays some interesting reactions to God’s decisive judgement upon sinful people, like Heaven’s inhabitants “rejoicing in the judgment of God” (Revelation 18:20).

I think we presently lack a lot of the capabilities to understand these things, and part of the reason is the de-emphasis of certain attributes of God.

(Knowing God by J. I. Packer, which God used to change my life, does a wonderful job of looking at the full range of God’s attributes.)

If you only choose to focus on God’s love, grace, mercy, compassion, and patience, then all of a sudden, none of this talk about rejoicing in judgment makes sense.

But we’re not given that option. God’s character is not a menu where you choose the attributes you like and forget the other ones.

To worship the true God of Scripture, we must see Him as all that He is, not just part of who He is.

Similarly, we don’t want to make the mistake of choosing God’s immanence over His transcendence. Both are a part of His revealed nature:

Colossians 1:17 teaches us that God holds all things together. He is present in His creation.

“In him we live and move and have our being.” (Acts 17:28)

The interest and participation of God in His world is called His immanence. (This is not to be confused with His imminence, which has to do with the timing of His return.)

But He is also transcendent — that is, He exists above and completely independent from all created things, outside of space and time, in holiness and righteousness and perfection.

No one knows His mind or gives Him counsel (Romans 11:34).

His ways and thoughts are higher than ours, just like the vast distance between Heaven and earth (Isaiah 55:9).

In this powerful sermon by seminary professor Dr. Bruce Ware, he reminds us to hold these two aspects of God’s nature — His transcendence and His immanence — with the tension and balance they deserve.

Using Isaiah’s vision of God in Isaiah 6, Bruce paints an amazing picture of God in His majestic glory and moral purity that builds and builds.

It rises to a crescendo and inevitably leads to Isaiah’s comprehension of his own ruined life and the destructive sin that bars him from God.

As Bruce points out, “God is not obligated to show His mercy to destitute, fallen, condemned sinners.”

We must first see the transcendent greatness and grandeur of God in order to have a true picture of our own sin, and thus to know the fullness of His love and His truly amazing grace.

The writer of Psalm 113 understands well this tension.

He lays the foundation (verses 4-5) as Isaiah did with transcendence: “The Lord is high above all nations; his glory is above the Heavens. Who is like the Lord our God, who is enthroned on high …”

Then he follows immediately (verse 6) with immanence: “… Who humbles himself to behold the things that are in Heaven and in the Earth?”

Let’s not bypass God’s glory in our rush to embrace His goodness.

And let’s never forget how very far His majesty had to stoop to reach this broken world… and all of us, His children.

Randy Alcorn, founder of EPM

Randy Alcorn (@randyalcorn) is the author of fifty-some books and the founder and director of Eternal Perspective Ministries.

https://www.epm.org/blog/2016/Jul/4/far-away-near

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