When we put our trust in God, who is faithful to His Word, He assures us we have nothing to fear.
And yet words of fear pour forth from the lips of His dear people. “I’m afraid I’ll get COVID and die.”
Who or what can keep us from dying of COVID? The government? The CDC? A shot? Our doctor? A mask? Handwashing? Social distancing? These may help protect us, but in the end, it is God who is our Deliverer.
Jairus’ Daughter Raised
A synagogue ruler named Jairus had only one child, a 12-year-old girl, who lay at the point of death (Mark 5, Luke 8). He was a man of means and could afford the most comprehensive medical care available. Perhaps he tried that route, but his little girl was still dying.
He heard that a young Teacher was performing miracles and healing people. He sought Jesus, fell at his feet, and begged him to come and heal his daughter. On the way to Jairus’ house, his servants met him and said, “Your daughter is dead. Don’t trouble the Teacher.”
When Jesus heard those words of death, he immediately spoke words of life to Jairus, “Do not be afraid. Only believe, and she will be made well.”
Jairus could have said, “Forget it, she’s dead. I need to go home and make funeral arrangements.” But no, he believed Jesus’ words, despite the finality of his servants’ report, and continued bringing Jesus to his home.
At the house, hired mourners filled the air with loud, weeping wails. They knew the synagogue ruler’s little girl was dying and didn’t waste any time getting there. They put their trust in circumstances, dire as they were, that the child was dead. The wailers didn’t know that one was coming with the power of God’s Word to crush circumstances and to deliver.
Jesus told them, “Why are you weeping? The child isn’t dead. She’s sleeping.” At this, the “compassionate” sympathizers laughed and ridiculed the Son of God. Jesus took authority over the situation and put all those unbelievers out of the house.
He led the girl’s parents with Peter, James, and John into the room where the child lay. Jesus spoke the will of the living God into the circumstance, “Little girl, arise.”
God’s Will Is Life
We often hear when a child dies, “God needed her in heaven. She’s in a better place now.” Never mind the parents whose hearts have been torn and broken. They are told, “God took her home.”
Our God is the Author of life. His Word says that death is an enemy that will be destroyed (1 Corinthians 15:26). Jesus came to destroy him who has the power of death, the devil (Hebrews 2:14).
God clearly states His will regarding death in His Word. He will swallow up death and wipe away all tears (Isaiah 25:8; Revelation 21:4). Death and Hades will be thrown into the lake of fire, which is the second death (Revelation 20:14).
If it was the will of God for people to suffer and die prematurely, then Jesus went around undoing the will of God, healing and raising them from the dead (Acts 10:38). Jesus manifested the Father to the world—a God of life and love, not one who kills people with a deadly plague.
Psalm 91 Promises
When we seek God in His Word, He will be found. We will say to the Lord the words of Psalm 91, “My refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust!” (verse 2).
When we put our trust in Him above all else, He will deliver us from the snare of the trapper and the deadly pestilence (verse 3). We will be like the baby chicks who run to the safety of their mother’s outstretched wings when she gives a warning cry of danger (verse 4).
We will not be afraid of the terror by night or of the arrow (any weapon) that flies by day. We will not fear the pestilence (plague) that stalks in darkness or the destruction that lays waste at noon (verses 5 and 6). A thousand may fall at the side of one who puts their trust in God, and ten thousand at their right hand, but that which is killing will not approach them (verse 7).
For those who make the Lord their refuge and dwelling place by trusting Him at His Word, no evil will befall them, nor will any plague come near their home. He will give His angels charge concerning them, to guard them in all their ways (verses 9-11).
God will deliver the person who loves Him and His Word (for the two are inseparable). He will set him securely on high because he has known God’s name. (How? From seeking Him in His Word.) That person will call upon God, who will answer him. He will be with him in trouble. He will rescue and honor him (verses 14 and 15).
God will satisfy him with a long life and let him see His salvation (verse 16). Living in fear is not a satisfying life. Neither is living in sickness or putting our trust in anything or anyone other than God.
How To Trust God
The way we trust in God is by reading His Word, believing it, and speaking forth those words of life to any circumstance the devil hurls at us.
Plague, in the name of Jesus Christ, you will not come near me.
Sickness, Jesus healed me by his wounds, so be gone from me.
Death, Jesus Christ abolished you. Arise.
When and where we have fear, we don’t have faith. The scriptures tell us, “Don’t be afraid, only believe.” Fear is the opposite of trusting God’s promises. Faith, on the other hand, comes by hearing—not the news or the neighborhood grapevine—but the Word of God (Romans 10:17). Now, more than ever, we need to seek God in His Word. We need to read it, listen to it, and hold it in our minds. When we stay our minds on God and His promises—because we trust Him—He will guard us in perfect peace (Isaiah 26:3), which is a satisfying life.
