Today’s psalm: Psalm 4
“May we see better times!”
(Ps 4:7a)
We have been praying intently for some months now for relief from COVID-19. In our helplessness as everything around us collapsed, we turned to God. We acknowledged that it is only God who can give us relief. We begged for God’s mercy. “Answer me when I call, my saving God. When troubles hem me in, set me free; take pity on me, hear my prayer.” (v.2).
But it is not just looking to God’s action for help. We need to do our part as well. What caused the pandemic in the first place? It is God’s chastisement upon a wicked world that has turned away from Him. Our hearts have hardened, no longer living out the two great commandments of love of God and love of neighbor. “How long, O people, will you be hard of heart?” (v.3a). We have turned to the useless things of this world and turned away from the truths of God’s word. We have reveled in the mundane and are living our lives on the lie of finding happiness and satisfaction in what the world offers. “Why do you love what is worthless, chase after lies?” (v.3b).
Now God does not abandon His faithful people. If we turn to Him and live according to His ways, then we can call on Him and He will answer. Then God can work wonders in our lives. “Know that the Lord works wonders for his faithful one; the Lord hears when I call out to him.” (v.4). Having become seemingly helpless with COVID-19, we must know that as God’s people, we are not helpless, as God is there to help us.
But again, we need to do our part. We need to be moved deeply with fear for our failures in living according to God’s ways. We need to repent and turn back to God. “Tremble and sin no more” (v.5a). Our repentance needs to be sincere and not just because we are troubled and have nowhere else to turn. We have gravely offended God. Our repentance needs to be heartfelt. “Weep bitterly within your hearts, wail upon your beds.” (v.5b).
As we repent, we must amend our lives. We must be able to present ourselves fittingly before a holy God. As we do so, then we can trust completely in God to do what is best for us. “Offer fitting sacrifices and trust in the Lord.” (v.6). We trust in God’s love and mercy, and in His perfect timing in providing us relief.
We must connect good times with our God. When we turn away from Him, we suffer painful disruption of our lives. But when we turn to Him, we experience fullness of life. It is right for us to look to well-being in life, as that is God’s intent for us. But we can only find this in Him. “May we see better times! Lord, show us the light of your face!” (v.7).
Now as we see better times, we must never again just look to what the world has to offer, especially its carnal pleasures, which lead us astray. Our well-being is in God and never in the world. It is the things of God and not material things that give us true happiness. “But you have given my heart more joy than they have when grain and wine abound.” (v.8). This way, our joy can never be taken away from us, as we rest in God. We can exult in the good times, but endure in the bad times. We will always be at peace, knowing we are secure in the love and care of an all-powerful God. “In peace I will lie down and fall asleep, for you alone, Lord, make me secure.” (v.9).
Never again forget: God alone is our security. We must never again allow ourselves to move away from His protective embrace. Yes, COVID-19 now, but we will see better times. And in the end, the best of times, with our God eternally in heaven.
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