Sunday, March 15, 2020

Message – Coronavirus and God

Scripture Reading: Psalm 130:1-8

 

I wait eagerly for the Lord’s help,

    and in his word I trust.

He will save his people Israel

    from all their sins.

(Psalm 130:5, 8)

 

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First of all, I pray for you. We all need prayer. I invite you to join me in praying for one another. Even though we are not together in the sanctuary, in our prayer we are together in the bond of love.

The coronavirus is changing how we live our daily lives. Taking a look at how the global pandemic has affected various aspects of life in the United States reveals the unique nature of this crisis.

People stock up on groceries and prepare to stay home. Last Friday I went to Wegmans. It was empty. It felt like we were at war. Then I realized that we are at war. The war on Coronavirus!

Coronavirus is changing our lives. NBA cancelled their games. MLB postponed the start of its season. Sports events are cancelled in our community as well. Can you imagine America with no sports?

Many cultural institutions, including Broadway, shuttered. Disney World and Disneyland are closing.

Coronavirus changes our lives nationally, locally including school, church, family and personal life.

How do we respond to the invasion of Coronavirus and to uncertainty that it brings to us?

Without accurate information, it is easy for our brains to spin stories of fear and dread. When we can’t control our anxiety, that emotional fever spikes into panic.

Judson A. Brewer

https://www.nytimes.com/live/2020/coronavirus-update-03-13

Let us turn to Psalm 63. The heading of the psalm notes that David wrote it “when he was in the Desert of Judah.”

Psalm 130 –  A Prayer for Help

From the depths of my despair I call to you, Lord.

Hear my cry, O Lord;

    listen to my call for help!

If you kept a record of our sins,

    who could escape being condemned?

But you forgive us,

    so that we should stand in awe of you.

I wait eagerly for the Lord’s help,

    and in his word I trust.

I wait for the Lord

    more eagerly than sentries wait for the dawn—

    than sentries wait for the dawn.

Israel, trust in the Lord,

    because his love is constant

    and he is always willing to save.

He will save his people Israel

    from all their sins.

Though in a less than desirable — even desperate — situation, he didn’t despair because he hoped in God. “You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you . . . in a dry and parched land where there is no water” (V. 1).

Let us turn to God as King David did.

Let us “wait for the Lord more eagerly than sentries wait for the dawn—than sentries wait for the dawn.” (Psalm 130:6)

Let us trust in the Lord, because his love is constant and he is always willing to save.

God will save His people.

I hope we all have the faith of David.

Think about our faith?

 Who is more powerful? God or Coronavirus?

How do people respond to Coronavirus? I see the power of Coronavirus from the way people respond to Coronavirus. Coronavirus changes our lives. It is so powerful. It is so real even though we can’t see it.

 I want to ask you a question. Is God as powerful as Coronavirus? We change our lives to respond to the power of Coronavirus. Do we change the way we live to respond to the power of God?

 Isn’t our God more powerful than Coronavirus?

God will save us. Let us trust in God.

Let us “wait for the Lord more eagerly than sentries wait for the dawn—than sentries wait for the dawn.” (Psalm 130:6)

 

Whoever goes to the Lord for safety,

    whoever remains under the protection of the Almighty,

can say to him,

    “You are my defender and protector.

    You are my God; in you I trust.”

He will keep you safe from all hidden dangers

    and from all deadly diseases.

(Psalm 91:1-3)

 

Amen.

Let us join in praying together:

Dear Lord, we ask for your divine intervention to bring a quick end to this pandemic. Please heal the sick and comfort the grieving. May your peace replace every worried, anxious, and fearful thought. We ask for strength, protection, and energy for medical professionals. We pray for wisdom and guidance for leaders in every arena. Please reverse and minimize the physical, spiritual, emotional and financial devastation that is occurring. Please provide for all who are displaced and in need in any way. We ask for your grace and mercy. May we look to you for help, strength and hope during these uncertain times. Bring us together to be united in the love of Jesus. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.

 

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