Seeking God Amidst the Pandemic – COVID 19

Seeking God Amidst the Pandemic – COVID 19

Looking around us, we see panic regarding the virus that appears to be so encroaching prevalent, fear of the unknown on many levels, and ever-creasing levels of despair and loneliness that often comes with social distancing. Yet, for those of us who have placed our faith in Christ, one thing is certain our God has never distanced Himself from us.  He continues to reveal Himself in the areas of our deepest needs.  The names I have chosen for today are Jehovah-Jireh  and Jehovah-Shalom.

Jehovah Jireh means, “The LORD will provide.” We find this name in Genesis 22, and the context is the story of God’s command to Abraham to sacrifice his son, Isaac – the long-awaited child of promise. As Abraham and Isaac made their way up Mount Moriah, Isaac remarked that they had the wood and the fire, but no lamb for the sacrifice. Abraham assured his son that “God himself would provide the lamb.” And so it was that as Isaac lay bound to the altar and Abraham stood with his knife poised to plunge into the body of his son—his beloved – the son of promise – that his hand was stayed by the voice of God, as He told Abraham not to harm his son, because God knew that Abraham had withheld nothing from Him. There in the thicket lay a ram – a sacrifice provided by God’s own hand.  In gratitude, Abraham named the place where they were standing – Jehovah Jireh, the Lord will provide.  Jehovah Jireh … what a precious name!  We are coming out of what has seemed to be draconian social isolation, a time during which there was widespread sadness, depression, and economic devastation, not to mention health issues that arose due to restrictions of medical care or simply an unwillingness to seek it. Yet Jehovah-Jireh never abdicated His position or His provisions. For me personally, He provided a support network, the continuance of my job, continued provision for my health needs and His never-failing presence. One principle that I believe is tied to this name is that God is seldom early, but He is always on time.  Listen to this song and praise Jehovah Jireh with me: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCsH_TtZReY.

Jehovah Shalom means “The Lord our peace.”  We find this name in Judges 6:24 as God interacts with Gideon pouring into him courage and assurance that his campaign against the Midianites would be successful. Incidentally, this is only occurrence of this name in Scripture. The word “peace” occurs 429 times in the King James Version of the Bible in a variety of contexts, but the word usually means a settledness or content, most probably related to the idea that God is in control.   Some of the most notable references are Isaiah 26:3, where we are assured of peace as long as our minds are fixed on the Lord – mediating on both His attributes and His acts on our behalf.  Also, notable is the verse John 14:27, where Jesus promises peace to those who love and follow Him. Peace is a highly valued commodity in today’s world. Everywhere we turn there are situations that negate the peace that we so deeply crave. In recent weeks, our peace has been disrupted by an ever-present media clamoring for our attention. Daily statistics related to COVID-19 are shared, conspiracy theories abound; opinions regarding best practices are ever changing and thrust upon us, and none of these inspire peace. Instead, it is quite the opposite. It is time that we allowed Jehovah-Shalom to give the peace that only He affords. I am purposing to step away from the most social media posts, many news outlets, and obsession over circumstances that may inspire worry and find peace in God’s presence and promises – allowing Jehovah-Shalom to be the umpire of my heart.