In these troubled times in which we live, we need a sure word from the Lord. We need a word that arrests and reinforce our faith in the Lord. A Word that assures us that God is with us. We are in need of divine insight to maneuver and maintain in these troubled times. So much focus is being placed on the CORONAVIRUS and not enough on the promises and principles of our God. This virus has changed so much in the lives of our community, state, and the world. The CORONAVIRUS is changing how we relate to each other on a daily basis, the norm is not the norm anymore. It is creating a new normal that is hard to embrace. Also, for some, It tests their faithfulness in God. The confidence of it all is those who have made Jehovah their God has protective custody.
Protective custody is usually associated with someone who is in danger and needs protection. Protective custody is for the protection and safety of those under the watchful eye of someone in authority. Let it be known, all of God’s children are under His divine protective custody. We may not always see it, feel it, and we may even forget that we have the best security and protections available to man. Some may even wonder if we are left to fend for ourselves in the most daunting of times. Be encourage and know the protection of the Lord is sure. He promised to be with us and it is no different today. He will not forget us; His love is too great to leave us or forsake us. No matter the trials, troubles, or tribulations we face, God is the place of refuge we can run to, He is our safe place. Throughout this pandemic, let us not forget that God is our supreme protector. It is not the government, it is not Wall Street, it is not the market place, it is our God. We have experienced and witness some disheartening moments as it relates to this pandemic. Many lives have been taken, jobs closing and the stock market is declining but the one thing that has not caved into COVID19 is God’s promises. The pandemic has to bow to the power of God. Psalm 91:1 states “He who dwelleth in the secret place of the most High, shall abide under the shadow of the almighty.” This verse speaks of protections for the children of God, but with conditions. Protection will come to those who dwell and abide in the Lord. To dwell means to take up permanent residence, to live in it. We must not dwell in anxiety, fear or despair but in the secret place of the most High. The secret place is a place of rest, peace, and comfort. Next, we must abide under the shadow of the almighty. To abide is to lodge, to take up residence, to make it our dwelling place. We shall abide under the shadow of the almighty. Protection is found in His shadow.
When we abide under His shadow, we are under His protection. We are under His protective custody. Therefore be it resolved, whatever the Lord pleases, he does in heaven and in the earth, in the seas and in all deeps- Psalms 135:6. No pandemic or any other thing can take us from the protective custody of our God. Let’s make the choice to dwell in the presence of the Lord, thereby securing our future.
Henry Frasier, Jr is the Pastor of New Dimension Christian Fellowship and a member of the United Ministerial Alliance.