With all that is going on in the world right now, many things have remained the same in our home, homeschooling being one of those. This week, Luke (our 15-year-old son) was given the task of writing about the monumental “history” that we are living through for his History lesson. His words were better than I could ever write and offer hope in the Lord and encouragement during this time. I hope you are as encouraged reading this as I was:
THE LORD REIGNS
“These times can be frightening. I believe, however, that the fear of COVID-19 goes far beyond the illness itself. We fear the unknown.
A few months ago no average American citizen would have guessed we’d be in the situation that we are now in. Facing a national emergency, we can only be somewhat shocked at the havoc this tiny virus has wrought on our daily lives. No school, no work, and no toilet paper. We now hide out in our own homes in fear of the invisible enemy we are at war with. The very fact that we can’t see, can’t control, and can’t predict COVID-19 makes it so scary to us. We have so little power and so little knowledge. Yet, for the people who know God, we have no reason to be dismayed.
“The Lord reigns.” These are the opening words of Psalm 93, a Psalm that speaks loudly to the days in which we are living. God always has, still does, and will forever reign. As Christians, we must stand out in the midst of the panic. God is in control. Not a single virus is outside his sovereign reign. “Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea” (Psalm 46:2). Those whose only hope is their own strength should be afraid. Those who put their trust in the government should tremble. Those, however, who trust in God need never fear.
“The floods have lifted up, O LORD, the floods have lifted up their voice; the floods lift up their roaring” (Psalm 93:3). Having established the fact of God’s present reign (verses 1-2), the Psalm goes on to describe the present trouble. Each line building upon the last, we begin to see something of this poetic cry of helplessness. Like the disciples in Mathew 8, the Psalmist seems to cry “Save us, Lord; we are perishing.” (Mathew 8:25). The waters of trouble seem to be crashing on the deck of human control. Though it may be an extreme parallel, we can connect the situation to our own. We too are somewhat helpless against our unseen enemy and are tempted to give in to anxiety. Thankfully, the Psalm doesn’t end there.
“Mightier than the thunders of many waters, mightier than the waves of the sea, the LORD on high is mighty!” (Psalm 93:4). Mightier than every wave, greater than every foe, the LORD on high is mighty! Christians must not, cannot fear in the face of trying circumstances. We must shine as lights during this time and bring the hope of the gospel to a panicked world. Unlike this world, we don’t need to fear the unknown because we already know enough. We know Christ has conquered. We know God reigns.”
Written by Luke R (age 15)
