Brothers and sisters, we don't need to be afraid because God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Our fear indicates lack of trust. We don't have to fear because this great God is our God.
Our pandemic is not as great as the earth giving way and the mountains tremble into the sea. We shouldn't fear because God is our refuge! Notice the three reasons why we don't have to be afraid!
I. Because of who God is to us. God is their refuge and strength, their very present help in trouble (v. 1). He is the "Most High" (elyon) (v. 4)! He is the "Lord Sabaoth" (vv. 7, 11). When God is that to us, we don't have to be afraid. • John Bunyan said "to fear man is to forget God." Surely, to fear anything is to forget God! John Flavel said, "The spring and cause of fear is unbelief in the security of divine promises." It is also unbelief in who God is and what He is to us through Christ. II. Because God is with us. Because God is with us, we can be certain He will care for us. He is not "hitching" a ride or indifferent to our circumstances or concerns. Because He is with us doesn't mean we won't get the virus but rather it will not come upon us unless in His wisdom, goodness, and kindness, He permits it.
III. Because God is our covenant God (vv. 7, 11). vv. 7, 11 both have the same declaration: "The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress." The reference "God of Jacob" echoes back to the covenant God made with the patriarchs. God's covenant with Jacob meant God's faithfulness to Israel's children. For that reason, God will dwell in Jerusalem, "the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High."
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Dr. Mark Herzer has been the pastor of Christ Covenant Presbyterian Church (P.C.A.) in Warminster, PA since 1997. Before this, he was ordained to labor as an Assistant Pastor of Korean United Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia (1992-1995). He received his M.A.R. and Ph. D....
