Today’s psalm: Psalm 33:1-2,4-5,18-19
God chastises, God lifts His chastisement. Our only hope for relief from COVID-19 is God. This is whether He just miraculously stops this pandemic, or whether He enables humanity to find a cure. But here is the problem. Many no longer know God or turn to Him. In fact, many ignore Him and even mock Him. The world has brought this pandemic upon itself.
What is the way out for us? It starts with knowing who God is.
First, God is righteous and just. “He loves justice and right.” (v.5a). God calls on His people to be holy as He is holy, to live righteous lives, and to render to Him and to one another what is their due. These are the standards by which He judges His people, and then by which He acts, whether it be punishment or reward.
Second, God is all-powerful. “By the Lord’s word the heavens were made; by the breath of his mouth all their host.” (v.6). God is the Creator of the whole universe. The largest super nova and the most minute pathogen are under His power. Whatever God wills will come to pass.
Third, God has a plan for us all. “But the plan of the Lord stands forever, the designs of his heart through all generations.” (v.11). Creating humanity was part of His divine plan. Saving humanity was His work through His Son Jesus, because He so loved the world. God wants only what is best for His people. As such, God is concerned about the conduct of humanity and watches over them. “From heaven the Lord looks down and observes the children of Adam. From his dwelling place he surveys all who dwell on earth. The One who fashioned together their hearts is the One who knows all their works.” (v.13-15). Nothing escapes God. Thus, seeing how the world is veering away from His plan, God intervenes in order to set the world aright. “The Lord foils the plan of nations, frustrates the designs of peoples.” (v.10). Today, God’s intervention is with COVID-19.
Fourth, despite our sins and the evil in the world, God is merciful. God will forgive, if we repent and turn back to Him. “Behold, the eye of the Lord is upon those who fear him, upon those who count on his mercy, to deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive through famine.” (v.18-19).
Fifth, God is our helper and protector. “Our soul waits for the Lord, he is our help and shield.” (v.20). Only the all-powerful God can truly help us and keep us safe from COVID-19. God created the world and the world will only be blessed as it looks to Him as Lord. As Creator, God has the best design for the lives of people in the world. If we do not look to God and obey Him, then we are lost. If we obey Him as Lord, we are blessed. “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord” (v.12a). As Lord, God can heal our land.
Then, knowing God, we act accordingly.
First, we look to God with awe and reverence. “Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all who dwell in the world show him reverence.” (v.8). God is God, and who are we? We are His creatures, nothing compared to Him. Apart from God we are nothing. So we must acknowledge Him for who He is. He is the awesome Creator of the universe, to whom we owe great reverence.
Second, as manifestation of our awe, we give God praise and worship. “Rejoice, you righteous, in the Lord; praise from the upright is fitting.” (v.1). This is justice, to give God the worship that is His due. This properly acknowledges the posture of mere humans before the Divine Majesty.
Third, we acknowledge that all good things come from God. “Give thanks to the Lord on the harp; on the ten-stringed lyre offer praise.” (v.2). Gratitude elicits right posture of the beneficiary to the benefactor. God is all good, and all good comes from Him.
Fourth, given His great plan for us, given His goodness, we trust in God. “For the Lord’s word is upright; all his works are trustworthy.” (v.4). God teaches us the right way to go. God directs our paths. We may not know what the future holds, but we know who holds our future in His hands. Thus, “in his holy name we trust.” (v.21b).
Fifth, we do not trust in our own strength, which the world in its pride is doing today. The world today just looks to its own resources and capabilities. But we are nothing without God. “A king is not saved by a great army, nor a warrior delivered by great strength.” (v.16).
Sixth, knowing we do not control our lives, we pray for God’s mercy. “May your mercy, Lord, be upon us; as we put our hope in you.” (v.22). Our only hope is in God. But we are most fortunate, for “the earth is full of the mercy of the Lord.” (v.5b).
In looking to battling and defeating COVID-19, we must look to God. And the time will come when this pandemic too will pass away. Then our hearts, now filled with sorrow and fear, will be filled with joy. “For in him our hearts rejoice” (v.21a).
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