LEVELLING August 4, 2020

It’s almost difficult to imagine that just a little over half a year ago, we had so many plans, and we were so concerned with so many other things, the least of which was our very own and our collective health and safety.  For those of us who have families and children, they have already budgeted every penny for this and that expense, bill or matriculation fee.  For the unmarried and the empty-nesters, many have already plotted their vacation days throughout the year, their projects and things they must save for.  For the privileged few, they too have their own programs and schedules.

 

When the pandemic struck the whole world however, in waves upon waves of contagion, life may have sputtered a little, but the euphoria from the loosening up of being locked down and quarantined as a global community just as soon fizzled out.  Now, rich and poor alike, we are one in feeling the fear, the anxiety, the apprehension, and even the tragedy, that cases are fast rising worldwide, that loved ones are taken even without us visiting them, regardless of our capacity to pay the medical bills.  And many of our leaders too, seemingly have been collectively sapped of reason and compassion, and our front-liners have grown wearier and more exhausted by the day, while their ranks get depleted continuously.

 

It is sad, but the reality is, according to the Word we read today in the book of Psalms, chapter 62, verse 9: “Surely men of low degree are vanity, and men of high degree are a lie: to be laid in the balance, they are altogether lighter than vanity.”

 

Whenever new restrictions are imposed, whenever quarantined statuses are changed, and whenever violators are apprehended, many people feel hopeless, hurt, disappointed and depressed.  But as people who believe in a GOD that is Almighty, we shouldn’t let these feelings overcome us and debilitate us from thinking logically, or lose wisdom and good sense.  Our own efforts and smarts may not be able to insulate us from these troubles and heartbreaks, provisions may be running low or future sources may be bleak and almost nonexistent, but we can take heart, as the Psalmist has said in verse 8, “Trust in Him at all times; all you people, pour out your heart before Him: GOD is a refuge for us…”.  He has promised that will not forsake us, He will always sustain and provide, whether materially or in wisdom and strength of spirit; and His Word is always true.

 

Let our confidence then be in His promises, for He is a GOD who can never lie, and like the Psalmist, let us speak and affirm to ourselves (verses 5 to 7): “My soul, wait only upon GOD; for my expectation is from Him.  He only is my rock and my salvation: He is my defense; I shall not be moved.  In GOD is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in GOD.”  We can feel sorrow, we can grieve, we can cry, but we can also rise, stand strong and move steadily towards our goal in His kingdom.

 

We are indeed in the time of great tribulation and shaking of our spirits, but if we give our lives to Him in faith and trust, we can be assured that He will not abandon us and will reward us for our obedience.  And like any notarized document that is considered legal, binding and enforceable, the Word too has its own attestation, in verses 10 and 11: “GOD has spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongs to GOD.  Also unto You, O Lord, belongs mercy: for You render to every man according to his work.”  In this time of levelling, our faith should level up to this too.