What a time of uncertainty we are facing these days. The COVID-19 virus has created a time of uncertainty, change in our daily living, serious sickness, and death to many. All of this has created a widespread FEAR that has paralyzed us in many ways. In many cities and states businesses are closing - people are being laid off or have lost their jobs because of a mandatory quarantine. We are seeing a shortage of medical supplies and food as well as scientists, doctors and health officials racing to find a cure to end this pandemic.
What can we do?
Who can we turn to?
How are we going to get through this?
In Psalm 40, the writer David had these questions and more as he was going through a crisis in his own life. Psalm 40 reflects the strength, comfort and encouragement that David found as he turned to the Lord. In verses 1-3 we see what David did and what God did for David.
In verse 1 we are reminded that when we seek God, He HEARS us. David said, “He turned to me and heard my cry for help.” The word turn here means to give attention to. When we call on God, He gives full attention to what we are asking for and what is best for us.
In verse 2 we see that God will HELP us. Notice the words, “He brought me up …” Here David tells us that God lifted him up from a “pit” or the great difficulty that he was facing. The “pit” in our lives can be a place of sickness, pain or struggle in our lives. It can be facing a national and international crisis as we are with COVID-19. All of this can discourage us, keep us down, search for anything and anyone other than God to get us through the crisis.
Then in verse 3 we see the HOPE that God gives. David said that, “He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God.”David turned to God and asked God to help him. We too need to turn to God, “…my help comes from the Lord who made made heaven and earth”, Psalm 121:1. As we seek God he HEARS us and will HELP us, but we must seek Him.
Getting through this crisis or a personal crisis of our own will happen when we seek God and trust Him. When we do, there will be a day when we will experience God’s HOPE and HEALING in our lives.
Father, I call on you and ask you to help our nation and the world. We are in a “pit” right now with the worry, uncertainty, fear, serious sickness and death that the COVID-19 virus has caused. We seek you and turn this over to you for the help, healing and hope that we need. As you heard David and helped him in his crisis, please help our nation and our world at this time. I look to you for the help that we need and know with confidence that our help will come from you. In Jesus Name, Amen.