The Lord is good,
    a refuge in times of trouble.
And He knows those who take refuge in Him. 

Nahum 1:7

The reports in the news and on Social Media leave me scratching my head.  I am not smart enough to engage in the conversations about this COVID-19 pandemic.  Opinions range from conspiracy to God’s judgement.  People are convinced our government has withheld truth from us and/or doctored truth in an effort to have this global disruption fit their agenda. I have read in Social Media and heard on the news how these unanswered questions and speculations have turned people against people. 

What is the truth?  And when will this end? I don’t know.  But I know who does!

Nahum was a prophet sent to deliver God’s word to the Ninevites. In spite of the message being one of impending doom to the people who had turned from God,  Nahum offers this reminder.  God knows those who trust in Him. God is our refuge in times of trouble.  He is good.  No matter what is transpiring around us, God is still in control.  He knows the end from the beginning.  He has numbered our days and holds the universe in position.

In this verse, the word know means loving communion. God knows the cry of our heart, our deepest need, our greatest hurt.  He knows our hopes, the ones that are still alive and the ones we buried.  He knows the stories we tell ourself – the stories that don’t line up with His story for us. He knows the words that have cut us deeply to the core and He knows the exact timing for healing from those hurts to manifest.

God knows what this pandemic has done to our world. He sees the tears and hears the cries. We can trust in His goodness and His timing to make all things clear to us. In the meantime, we can take refuge in Him – find Him to be a safe place during this pandemic and getting comfort from Him in this time of trouble.

Thank you Father God, that You have not abandoned us nor forgotten us.  Thank you that You hear our prayers and know our fears.  Remind us of Your presence when anxiety comes knocking.  Help us to see Your goodness during this very difficult time, in Jesus’s name, amen. 

I would love to hear from you. Please let me know if I can be praying for you as well.

pic credit: 883thejourney.org

pic credit:  umc.org