Job 3 v 24 - 26: "For my sighing cometh before I eat, and my roarings are poured out like the waters.
25 For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me.26 I was not in safety, neither had I rest, neither was I quiet; yet trouble came."
Deuteronomy 28 v 58 - 59: "If thou wilt not observe to do all the words of this law that are written in this book, that thou mayest fear this glorious and fearful name, THE LORD THY GOD;
59 Then the LORD will make thy plagues wonderful, and the plagues of thy seed, even great plagues, and of long continuance, and sore sicknesses, and of long continuance."
Early this morning I read a report on the stress, depression, despair and fear that is oppressing people who have or had Covid-19. They are concerned about the people who they caused to be infected, especially close family and friends.
Anyone who has the virus and know who got it from them struggles with feelings of guilt especially if they are very ill with it or deceased. They also become angry and upset when they observe events that are termed "superspreaders" because they are not ignorant of the effects of this pandemic.
Our only place of safety is in Jesus Christ. He is our Ark when the floods of destruction, pandemics, tribulations, loss and fear overwhelm people who do not know Him. He gives us peace in the midst of danger, He comforts us when loved ones are ill, He heals many and He never leaves us.
If any are afflicted by it and isolated in a lonely hospital bed, He is with us, to talk to, to pray with, to heal us by His stripes, the terrible whipping before His crucifixion. But we need to read and pay attention to His Word, the Bible.
Many people read the Word but never apply what it says thinking that that was then this is now. The Bible is the most "now" book we will ever read. Through it we discover why we are suffering today and what we can expect in the future. Through the Bible we get to know Jesus in a real and powerful way.
The Word of God is a lamp to our feet, it guides our steps through the world and its problems. It calms our turbulent souls when crises arise and we know the companionship of Jesus in these tough times.
Jesus plus one other person is a formidable entity. With Him we can overcome every obstacle. He will shine His light into any darkness within our mind of doubt, worry, despair, stress, grief, depression and guilt. He will dispel all negative emotions with the brightness of His coming.
Jesus protects us. We only have to make our needs known to Him and He will help us, provide for us, heal our broken hearts, be gentle and kind even when we don't deserve it. It is called the grace of God. He never gave us a spirit of fear, but love, peace and a sound mind. No tranquilizer or medication has such far-reaching effects as the touch of His hand.
With Jesus there are never any bad side-effects. He is the life, the source of all goodness. He is the Friend who is closer than a brother and who has rescued us from eternal separation from God. What more would He not do for us, if we ask Him. And don't forget to thank Him. He healed ten lepers of leprosy. Only one came back to thank Him. He got all his body parts restored, his nose, fingers, toes were made whole. The other nine stayed disfigured but healed.
If we cannot be with family or friends in hospital or other isolation places, send them this blog to give them courage and a way out of despair and depression. The great secret is that depression, called the spirit of heaviness, is lifted by praising the Lord in song or prayer. Evil spirits cannot stand hearing Jesus exalted in worship and praise. They depart rapidly and stay away if you keep it up. Without medication.
When we know the awesome benefits of a personal relationship with Jesus, we wonder why we waited so long to be with Him. I cannot tell you the number of people who have said that to me over the years.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, to know You and Jesus is to love You both with all our hearts. We are lost without You and want to praise and thank You for the supreme blessing of salvation, forgiveness of sin, healing, comfort and peace. Father for those overwhelmed by Covid and its mental anguish please lift that burden from them as they learn to praise You. In Jesus' name. Amen.