Psalm 18:18b, “…the LORD was my support.”
What an unbelievable time, right? Oh my goodness. Every day the COVID-19 regulations change and adjust. It’s like someone keeps moving the furniture and just for fun, turn the lights off every time they do. Come on. And what’s up with the toilet paper? Plenty of Kleenex but toilet paper? Anyone else a little anxious, worried, concerned – maybe overwhelmed? Oh yeah. The question is, how can we remain calm in the current crisis?
My Pastor’s Covenant Group recently met via Zoom Conference Call. I shared that I was overwhelmed that morning just with life stuff, let alone the virus situation. Our spiritual mentor took us through Psalm 23 – had each of us read it then pull out a verse, phrase or word that impacted us? My turn. Verse 4 moved me: “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are WITH me.” God is WITH me – me! Wait? What? Yeah. It reminded me of David’s words in Psalm 18:4b,18b, “…the torrents of destruction overwhelmed me…but the LORD was my support.” So overwhelmed? In the uncertain unknown, we can be certain of this known: God IS our support! Anyone else need that foundational truth besides me? Uh, that’s all of us! Yep.
As you read through Psalm 18 we notice that while the author feels overwhelmed – he turns TO God rather than AWAY from Him. Huge! Let’s not miss that. How can we remain calm in the crisis? Turn TO God rather than AWAY from Him. Are we? How exactly? Pray through the S.E.L.A.H. Prayer: Stop – Exhale – Lean into God – Ask Specifically – Hear God Speak. Stop. Chill, refocus and mentally reset. Exhale. Breathe. God is the giver of that breath. He is WITH us. Lean into God. In this crisis and others, turn TO Him. As Henry Blackaby says, “When we face a crisis of belief, what we do next reveals what we believe about God.” As God says in Isaiah 41:10a, “So do not fear, for I am WITH you…I will strengthen…help…and uphold you.” Do we truly believe that? Next? Ask Specifically. Tell God all about our worries and fears that overwhelm us. Talk with Him about it in prayer. Then hear God speak. Will we stop the noise, be still…with scripture, prayer and in silence – listen to God speak to us? God is speaking. Are we listening then applying? So right now, pray through the S.E.L.A.H. prayer practices. What is God reminding us of?
Overwhelmed? in the uncertain unknown, we can be certain of this known: God IS our support. He is WITH us. We are not alone. Anyone else need that reminder besides me? Oh yeah. I see all of your hands up. Psalm 18:6,16,17a18b, “In my distress I called to the LORD; I cried to my God for help. From his temple he heard my voice…He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters. He rescued me…the LORD was my support.” Now, that fact right there should bring calm in our crisis, in every one of them. Amen? Oh yeah. God is WITH us! He IS our support!
God bless you all friends. I cannot wait to see you at church soon but in the meantime, I will see you online this Sunday morning at 9 AM. Stay healthy and safe. Keep praying and being Jesus to everyone you meet.
Thankful God IS my support and yours,
Pastor Doug
