God Covers & Protects us — Weekly Encouragement – April 5, 2020

…………………………………………………………..God is your ‘umbrella’ in the storm…………………………………………………………………

Greetings Friend,

       If you’re like me, you’ve been frustrated this week by many Facebook posts of unbelief – either horrible declarations that God sent this pandemic as judgment on a sinful world, or convoluted attempts at explaining that God is ‘allowing’ this coronavirus, and even though we cannot understand why we need to trust that God is doing it for His glory and ultimately for our good. I choose to believe the Word of God and even the voice of God, both of which say something quite opposite.

       If you’ve been reading Mark, you’ve gotten great encouragement and strength for these times. In Chapter 4 the disciples were in a terrible storm (Mark 4:36-38), worried that they might even die. After calming the storm, Jesus said, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?” (Mark 4:40)

       In Chapter 1 we learn of a man afflicted by an extremely contagious disease, just like today, for which there was no ‘natural’ cure. He came to Jesus and said, “’If You are willing, You can make me clean.’ Moved with compassion, Jesus stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, ‘I am willing; be cleansed.’ Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cleansed.” (Mark 1:39-43)

       In cases similar to what we are facing now, Jesus said: “your faith has made you well; go in peace and be healed of your affliction.” (Mark 5:34); “Do not be afraid any longer, only believe.” (Mark 5:36)

       Many would say, “Sure, but that’s Jesus.” In response I quote Scriptures: “…Christ lives in me…”(Galatians 2:20) “…greater is He [Jesus] who is in you than he [satan and his demons] who is in the world.” (1John 4:4) “Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven’; or to say, ‘Get up, and pick up your pallet and walk’?” The man did get up, pick up his pallet, and walk. (Mark 2:9-12)

       So, here’s the Encouragement: This coming Friday is “Good Friday”. We will all contemplate that Jesus gave Himself up and poured out His blood that we would be forgiven of all our sins. Since you believe that, let’s also believe that His stripes were so we would be protected, even cleansed if necessary, of corona. “Do not be afraid any longer, only believe.”

God bless,

Dave