SAFETY FIRST July 12, 2020

Today marks the first time I attended church physically since the lockdowns and the community quarantines banned mass assembly, and only lifted the same a few days ago, to a slightly greater accommodation.  And in order to comply with worldwide safety regulations, only I and the niece (who was older than 21) got to go, face masks are mandatory, we disinfected our hands at the gate, then wrote down our contact details for the tracing requirement, then upon entering worship hall had to disinfect again.  Chairs were 1 meter apart so that our small church was only able to accommodate indeed only about 10% of seating capacity.

This is the new normal when one wants to rekindle weekly bonds with faith brethren, but I felt it hasn’t diminished how we feel when we meet each other at least once a week, even though we did not do the usual chitchat at the end but everybody went home immediately after closing prayers and benediction.

I know many people would say that this is really a mark that we are in the last days.  I believe it too.  However, I also felt that instead of it weakening our faith, it has increased its intensity, albeit subdued in the way we express.  Even if we do raise our voices in praise and prayer, our sounds are muffled by our face masks.  But I know and believe that GOD’s power is still and all the more increasing, seeing that He has encouraged His people so far, and even provided a way for us to connect regularly online and tune in live if we cannot physically be present.  And so should we His children, not waver too, and all the more strengthen ourselves and be a hope and light to this increasingly troubled world.

The Word today is one that dissects what is in the heart of man and proves its worthiness before GOD.  We read in the book of Proverbs chapter 21 how kings and leaders are still under GOD’s influence, even if we might say some of them are ungodly.  Only GOD has the power to keep them there or to take what they have away, even their lives, positions and possessions.  We read that GOD doesn’t like people who are proud, who are impatient, who are lazy, those who accumulate treasures through lies and deception, those who scorn wise counsel or good advice, those who do not listen to the cries of the poor and disadvantaged, those who work iniquity, those who wander out of the way of understanding, those who abuse themselves with wine and alcohol, those who are greedy, those who pretend to give offerings but with a wicked and selfish intention, those who speak false witness, those who harden their faces from being merciful and generous, and those whose wisdom or understanding goes against GOD’s will. 

On the other hand, GOD blesses the humble, those who are diligent, those who do justice and judgment, those whose intentions are pure and who work rightly, those who receive wise counsel and proper knowledge, those who are generous and pacify anger and settle conflicts, those who follow after righteousness and mercy, those who keep their mouth and tongue well, those who listen well, and those who are upright.  We read that even if people think their ways are right in their own eyes, but the LORD knows our motivations and what is in our hearts (verse 2).

One thing that is a bit contentious though, especially among feminists, are verses 9 and 19 which state that it is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop or in the wilderness, than to live with a brawling woman in a wide house, or an angry and contentious woman.  This is not to say that nagging is only a fault of women, for there are men too who nag incessantly, even without knowing full well what they are talking about.  I believe that for conscience’s sake, this simply means that it is useless to argue just to prove who is right and who should have the final say.  Indeed, all the riches and knowledge of the world could not compare to one who has inner peace, and both who are in relationship with one another are wise and understanding and forgiving of each other.  Indeed in verse 23 we read that, “whoever keeps his mouth and tongue, keeps his soul from troubles.”

Another key verse in this chapter is verse 21 which says, “he who follows after righteousness and mercy finds life, righteousness and honor.”  I believe this chapter expresses what GOD wants us to know, that His lifestyle is better, it is more secure, it is more blessed, it is more peaceful, it is more acceptable.

The new normal we as a global community are adapting to now also promises safety and better protection from the disease and its effects.  However, even the very best intentions may prove to be inadequate because we humans are imperfect, and we are still subject to the forces of nature and the other elements we could not see but which at any time can wreak havoc on our physical and mental systems.

However, we can have hope and trust that everything will work out well, for in capping this chapter, the Teacher says in verses 30 and 31: “There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.  The horse is prepared against the day of battle, but safety is of the LORD.” 

Before we can even begin implementing and complying with health and safety measures to help protect us from the pandemic, let us remember that GOD is already there.  With Him always looking out for the best for His people, it is always safety first.