Pastor Paul Becker

When I am afraid, I put my trust in You. (Psalm 56:3, NIV)

Our world, nation and lives are changing rapidly as the coronavirus epidemic advances. Grief and fear follow in its path of infection.

Naturally, we yearn for it to stop. We place our hope in medicine, science, government and probability.

In the Bible, King David was a man of power, influence and means. He was also a person of faith, known to be a man after God's own heart.

In a time of fear and uncertainty, David wrote a song to God saying, “When I am afraid, I put my trust in You.” There are two takeaways in this one sentence.

First, find comfort in David's admission of fear. Give yourself permission to be afraid when threats pursue you. Second, follow David's lead by putting your trust in God.

Trust isn't something that is developed overnight and it isn't something we readily offer to a stranger.

Trust is rooted in a relationship with someone who has proven themselves to be faithful, over and over again.

So when you are afraid, I invite you to lift your thoughts in prayer to God who has proven Himself to be faithful. Understandably, you may ask “How has God been faithful to me?”

In John 3:16 we read, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

Jesus experienced temptation, sorrow, injustice, pain and death. As for all of those dark forces, God's love overcame them all by raising Jesus from the dead. The Resurrection is the evidence of God's trustworthiness towards you.

The promise of eternal life is a promise of hope that endures all circumstances, including epidemics.

Jesus said, “In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33).

When you are afraid, put your trust in God. Trust will unlock a hope that will free you from fear and free you to love others.

You are blessed. Be a blessing!

Pastor Paul Becker is the senior pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Bakerstown.