Pastor's Pen

The health and safety of our church family and the economic realities that are going to affect our country, city, and church are matters worthy of prayer. As children of God, it is in times like these that we seek comfort in His Word.

My wife, Judy, and I were amused at the news of how some are responding to the quarantine. It is reported that the government of Malaysia has advised wives to "stop nagging their husbands, dress up, and wear makeup while working at home." The king of Thailand has isolated himself in an Alpine motel in Europe along with twenty women from his harem. Closer to home, Facebook has provided comic relief with videos of families playing games, setting up obstacle courses for children, and singing improvised songs about our plight.

Well, my wife of forty years (in June) doesn't nag, doesn't need makeup, and looks just fine "working at home." The poor king of Thailand doesn't feel safe in his own country and shouldn't feel safe around twenty unhappy women. (Just imagine the motel bills!) I do miss not having my children at home. They are grown and out of the home during these times. The forts we could make out of sofa cushions; the rockets we could launch; the wrestling matches we could have while Judy is screaming, "Stop, somebody is going to get hurt!" All this while the government would be paying us $2,400 and $500 for each child!

On a more serious note, the uncertainty of the times definitely concerns me. The health and safety of our church family and the economic realities that are going to affect our country, city, and church are matters worthy of prayer. We have enemies within and without who are actively seeking to destroy freedoms and our way of life. As children of God, it is in times like these that we seek comfort in His Word.

Psalm 31 has such comforting thoughts for us to ponder. In verse one, David says, "In You O Lord, I put my trust. . ." In verse three, he says, "For You are my rock and fortress; therefore for Your name's sake, lead me and guide me." We know that He will lead us in the paths of righteousness "for His name's sake" (Psalm 23:3). But the passage that has been such a blessing to me is in verses fourteen and fifteen: "But as for me, I trust in You, O Lord; I say, 'You are my God.' My times are in Your hand. . ."

We do not choose the times in which we are born. Our gender, our parents, our country, our race, and so many other matters of life are of God's own choosing. The choices we have in life revolve around our relationship with our Maker. As Christians (meaning those who have surrendered their wills to God and have put their trust in Jesus Christ as Savior), we know He will be with us now and for all eternity. Therefore, we can say with David, "Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all you who hope in the Lord" (Psalm 31:24).