“Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; He lifts His voice, the earth melts.” (Psalm 46:6)

King David wrote those words some three millennia ago, but they could have been written today. Those words in Psalm forty-six describe global events today as accurately as they described what was happening during David’s reign as king. Every place and every person does seem to be in some kind of an uproar at the present time. Multiple pandemics are present at this particular time in history. There is the medical pandemic of the COVID virus. Then there is the global pandemic of fear accompanied by anxiety and depression born out of our response to the virus. Unfortunately, there is no vaccine for fear and all the side effects fear produces. So our suffering from the virus is compounded by our response to the virus.

At the same time, a pandemic of tyranny is taking place around the globe and here at home. Those fighting for freedom in Hong Kong and Cuba have been silenced as have those speaking out to preserve our freedoms here been silenced as well. Haiti lost its president to assassination and now has suffered an earthquake of large proportions. Afghanistan has fallen and our own city streets are war zones where children lose their lives daily. Truly nations are in an uproar and kingdoms are falling – our own included. I confess – never have I needed these words more than I do now – more than today.

“God is my refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore I will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells. God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day.” (Psalm 46:1-5)

All of these things have certainly been happening – the earth giving way, mountains quaking and falling, waters roaring . . . but

” ‘Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet My unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor My covenant of peace be removed,’ says the Lord, who has compassion on you.” (Isaiah 54:10)

The fear and pandemonium created by the pandemics can seem overwhelming – but these circumstances are not stronger than God’s Word. His words are my source of peace amid this pandemic and I have hidden them in my heart for safekeeping.

“I love You, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” (Psalm 18:1-2)

“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27)

“I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

it would seem an impossibility to have peace amid this pandemic – and yet –

“You (God) will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in You. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord, is the Rock eternal.” (Isaiah 26:3-4)

sincerely, Grace Day