Dear Church family,

Greetings to all in the precious name of our Lord and Master, Jesus Christ who is on the throne.  
This week we looked into the word of God to see how to deal with our current circumstances, that we are all going through. The subject: ‘God is in control; Fear Not.’ Today the whole world is in a panic, as we hear about the Corona virus affecting people all over the world.

Initially, we heard that it was only in a couple of countries, but we know that this has spread all over the world. It has hit even our own state of Georgia. We always feel safe from different things, until it hits home. 

The word we read Sunday morning was from Psalm 91. This is a Psalm that many of us have recited and learned in our childhood. We have heard and read this Psalm over and over again, but still fear takes over, because of the news, media, or people around us. It is a fact that people are going into a panic mode these days, buying food items and other necessities. We hear of stores, that have their aisles empty and long lines of people in stores. All this brings panic and fear. For a child of God, the Word of God gives a very clear message of how to deal with times like these. 

God’s word is the true and living Word. Not only must we read it, but also trust in the God of the word and the God who Himself is the Word.
The Psalmist says in Vs 3, that God is the one who will save us from the net that is spread against us and from the noisy pestilence or the deadly plague, as some translations read.
Vs 5 says that we need not fear the terror by night, nor the arrows that fly by day.
Vs 6. Plagues that roam in the dark and epidemics that strike by noon.
Vs 7; They will not come near you, even though a thousand may fall at your side and ten thousand at your right side.
Whatever plagues may come, God’s word says that we must not fear, but trust in Him as we see destruction all around us, but it shall not come near us. 

We may ask, how is it possible?
Vs 4 says: He will cover you with His feathers and under His wings you will find refuge. His truth, the Word, Jesus Himself is your shield and armor.
We also see this very clearly that when God sent the plagues on the Egyptians, the children of Israel were safe from some of those plagues completely. Ex 8:22-23
God’s covering was over the land of Goshen, where the Israelites were. 
The same God is our covering. 

The Psalm starts with the Word of God encouraging us, “He that dwells in the secret place of the Most High, shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.” Who is this most High, He is our living God. He cover us under His wings. He keeps us under His almighty shadow. 
The blood of the lamb cover us  and keeps us safe and protected.

At the same time, we should not think and believe that children of God will not die because of illness and we are immune to these things. That is not our message as some may say and start propagating to the world that believers are safe from this virus or any other disease.
That is all in the hands of God. It may happen or not, but our trust is in the Lord our God, who keeps us as the apple of His eye.
We read in the scriptures, that we are the apple of God’s eye, as the psalmist prays in Ps 17:8.
In Zech 2:8, God’s word tells us that when the enemy touches the children of God, he touches the apple of God’s eye.

The word of God encourages to put our confidence in the Lord.
Ps 46:1 says, that God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in times of trouble.
These are times of trouble and panic among people of the world, but as children of God, our confidence must be in Him.
vs 2 says; therefore we will not fear, though the earth be removed and the mountains be carried in the midst of the sea.
We need to know that our God is in control over all that is happening in the world today.
Our God reigns. Ps 47:8, God rules over the nations. God sits on His holy throne.
So in the midst of this scary situation, our role is to bring the good news to people around us, that God is in control, fear not.

So what should we do, in such situations?
The word of God tells us in Is 52:7, How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him, who brings good news, who proclaims peace and brings glad news of good things, who proclaims salvation, who says to Zion, your God reigns.
Let us be people who bring good news of encouragement that God is in control and also bring the good news of salvation, that people may turn to the Lord and know Him, as their Lord and personal savior.

God is in control and He will use even this scary situation for His glory and make it a means to win many to His fold. May our prayer be for each other to be encouraged and share the good news of Jesus Christ. Only Jesus Christ can bring peace in the midst of chaotic situations like these. He is the Prince of peace. May God give us the wisdom to be cautious, at the same time put our trust and confidence in the Lord God and share the message of peace among our friends and families. May we be the ray of hope in this panic stricken world, and bring the message of peace and calm, so that people will ask for prayers and want to know about our living God, who is our covering over us.  Amen!

God Bless!

Thompson Samuel
Associate Pastor:  Atlanta Christian Assembly
 678-471-9636