“Fear is only as deep as the mind allows.”
— Japanese Proverb
Truth is...
I’d be lying if I said I didn’t have some fears of the Covid-19. In this current time, our world seems out of control. This is ironic because the government is trying to control the situation by telling people to stay home, closing down businesses, etc. Within this time, fear breeds below the surface of people.
Think about it, the government fears what it will cost to keep people safe. On a smaller scale, people are hoarding toilet paper and not leaving their homes due to the virus. These are times where it makes you think, where is God?
On a personal level, there is fear in myself for my family and others. For those who don’t know, I work at a local Rescue Mission, and we work with a lot of people. The reality is as an organization, we are doing everything possible to help with the spread of the virus. Yet, we have to accept that there are factors we can’t control. I worry about how I could pass it on to others I come in contact with daily. Which includes my kids and wife.
In a weird way, I feel a weight on my shoulders, and it leads me to be a bit fearful. I’ve read about this virus and about the dangers of it. I realize that it’s not a joke. I’ve literally washed my hands/sanitized so much my hands are red.
This leads me back to the question I posed earlier: where is God in the midst of this virus? It’s a question that I’m wrestling with as we continue in this journey of Covid-19. Some people argue that this is God’s judgement on the world for turning their backs on Jesus. Some people on the other end would ask the question: why would God allow this to happen? I’m sure there are other thoughts people are having but I would say these are the extremes.
I think about the doctors and the sacrifices they make. I think of the people who lost loved ones. I think of my kids and how much I love them and wouldn’t want anything to happen to them. I think about how can I show Jesus in the midst of a trying time.
I looked into this idea of fear and Psalm 23 came up as I was looking for some answers. It’s a Psalm that David wrote describing the Lord's relationship with us as a shepherd caring for his sheep. Here is the whole Psalm:
1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
3 He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me; in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me;all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Now this is very different from most of David’s psalms. For one, he’s not making a plea to the Lord. When you read most of his Psalms, he usually talks about people surrounding him, or being attacked from all sides, you know what most emo bands write about in their songs (sorry I had to). This one he is focused on who God is to us.
David describes God as a shepherd. David was once a shepherd himself, so this picture is easy for him to express his understanding of who God is to the readers. David is writing God as the shepherd and him and God's people as the sheep.
Now, if I’m being honest, being called a sheep is kind of messed up. Sheep aren’t the brightest bunch of animals. They often wander off and get themselves hurt and even killed. Sheep are nothing like Shaun the Sheep portrays them to be. The funny thing is when I think about being a sheep, I can relate to the idea of walking away and getting lost. I may not get killed but I do get myself hurt. It’s when God pulls me back and has my eyes open, that I can see where I need to be going.
So how does this relate to COVID-19. In a time like this, why does David’s words give me comfort? I think this stems mostly in the idea of verse 4 where David writes; “ Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me”. In the midst of even the shadow of death, David says that Lord’s staff and rod are there to comfort him.
Now this is interesting because I wanted to understand the importance of the rod and staff. I gained some insight from the website Neverthirsty.org. The author gave the original language for both of these words which is Sebet (rod) and mishnea (staff). Sebet is typically talking about a stick that is used to count as well as protect sheep from various animal attacks (neverthirsty.org). Mishnea is the idea of support or to trust (neverthirsty.org).
This gives us a picture of a God who is not only supporting us but protecting us as well. This knowledge can also be gained from earlier verses by seeing that he leads us to green pastures and still water (Ps. 23:2). He’s giving us a place to rest that is peaceful while he is watching over us. This is the same God that told the disciples when he gave them the great commission that he’d be with them always (Matthew 28:20)
Think about it, the government fears what it will cost to keep people safe. On a smaller scale, people are hoarding toilet paper and not leaving their homes due to the virus. These are times where it makes you think, where is God?
On a personal level, there is fear in myself for my family and others. For those who don’t know, I work at a local Rescue Mission, and we work with a lot of people. The reality is as an organization, we are doing everything possible to help with the spread of the virus. Yet, we have to accept that there are factors we can’t control. I worry about how I could pass it on to others I come in contact with daily. Which includes my kids and wife.
In a weird way, I feel a weight on my shoulders, and it leads me to be a bit fearful. I’ve read about this virus and about the dangers of it. I realize that it’s not a joke. I’ve literally washed my hands/sanitized so much my hands are red.
This leads me back to the question I posed earlier: where is God in the midst of this virus? It’s a question that I’m wrestling with as we continue in this journey of Covid-19. Some people argue that this is God’s judgement on the world for turning their backs on Jesus. Some people on the other end would ask the question: why would God allow this to happen? I’m sure there are other thoughts people are having but I would say these are the extremes.
The Valley...
I think about the doctors and the sacrifices they make. I think of the people who lost loved ones. I think of my kids and how much I love them and wouldn’t want anything to happen to them. I think about how can I show Jesus in the midst of a trying time.
I looked into this idea of fear and Psalm 23 came up as I was looking for some answers. It’s a Psalm that David wrote describing the Lord's relationship with us as a shepherd caring for his sheep. Here is the whole Psalm:
1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
3 He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me; in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me;all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Now this is very different from most of David’s psalms. For one, he’s not making a plea to the Lord. When you read most of his Psalms, he usually talks about people surrounding him, or being attacked from all sides, you know what most emo bands write about in their songs (sorry I had to). This one he is focused on who God is to us.
David describes God as a shepherd. David was once a shepherd himself, so this picture is easy for him to express his understanding of who God is to the readers. David is writing God as the shepherd and him and God's people as the sheep.
Now, if I’m being honest, being called a sheep is kind of messed up. Sheep aren’t the brightest bunch of animals. They often wander off and get themselves hurt and even killed. Sheep are nothing like Shaun the Sheep portrays them to be. The funny thing is when I think about being a sheep, I can relate to the idea of walking away and getting lost. I may not get killed but I do get myself hurt. It’s when God pulls me back and has my eyes open, that I can see where I need to be going.
So how does this relate to COVID-19. In a time like this, why does David’s words give me comfort? I think this stems mostly in the idea of verse 4 where David writes; “ Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me”. In the midst of even the shadow of death, David says that Lord’s staff and rod are there to comfort him.
Now this is interesting because I wanted to understand the importance of the rod and staff. I gained some insight from the website Neverthirsty.org. The author gave the original language for both of these words which is Sebet (rod) and mishnea (staff). Sebet is typically talking about a stick that is used to count as well as protect sheep from various animal attacks (neverthirsty.org). Mishnea is the idea of support or to trust (neverthirsty.org).
This gives us a picture of a God who is not only supporting us but protecting us as well. This knowledge can also be gained from earlier verses by seeing that he leads us to green pastures and still water (Ps. 23:2). He’s giving us a place to rest that is peaceful while he is watching over us. This is the same God that told the disciples when he gave them the great commission that he’d be with them always (Matthew 28:20)
Where we going to go from here?
Like I said, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a bit worried. I’d be lying to say that I don’t fear for my family and community. Yet, I lean into the fact that Jesus is with us at this time. He hasn’t left us alone. God is still hearing our prayers, he’s still sitting in the grief people feel, and He is still working in the midst of our grief.I don’t expect this to make anyone feel better. It’s hard for us to understand God when we see the death toll and economic toll. I just know for myself, it helps me hold onto hope in a time that I feel out of control. It reminds me that I am only a man. Due to this, I hold onto the hope that Jesus is who he says he is, and cling to it.
There is more peace in my heart knowing that he is watching over us. That he didn’t abandon us to this virus. Some might argue that he should intervene. I’d say He has probably in ways we can understand.
In beautiful ways, I’ve seen humanity show some beauty in the midst of these times. I’ve seen people helping others out get groceries and such. I’ve seen people give gifts to help with kids being home. Maybe there is some beauty in the simplicity that we miss a lot of the grief and fear.
Life doesn’t always make sense but I find comfort in this season that God is with us. Maybe that’s the hope we need in this time, to remember we were never alone.
