Cheri Fields
My local Christian choir has decided to take the next few weeks off because of the new respiratory virus sweeping the world. Although I’m not for the scare, I do appreciate them acknowledging the large percentage of at risk members we have—people who have loved and followed Jesus for many decades. And, although one way or another they will be singing in Jesus’ presence soon, we are in no hurry to rush them off!
Before we disbanded, we took the time to go over some serious praise music and wrapped up with this hymn. We have been working on it long enough I’ve already sung it with them in concert a few times this year. It wasn’t something we needed to practise for our musical development. It was something we needed to remember for our souls.
It is words and lovely tunes like this that have always gotten God’s people through the difficulties of life. Whether it’s an American pastor finding solace along the banks of Lake Ontario, or David—long before he became king, remembering our God is the Creator and has hold of nature at all levels is often just what we need to reset our outlook on life.
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.
There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.
God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early.
The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted.
The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.
Come, behold the works of the Lord, what desolations he hath made in the earth.
He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire.
Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.
That is a wonderful hymn! Thanks for posting it. Yes, we should use wisdom during this time. But we also have an obligation as Christians and can’t retreat to a hermit’s life. This is a perfect opportunity to share with those in fear about the comfort through salvation. While others have hunkered down, we went to the streets (as we normally do) on Saturday and two people gave their lives to Christ! So be wise, but don’t retreat! If you are in the “at risk” category, stay home, but continue to pray in earnest. Let this virus epidemic bring an epidemic of revival!!!!! Let us serve the Lord and evangelize as we never have before! Numbers 16:46-50 “And Moses said unto Aaron, Take a censer, and put fire therein from off the altar, and put on incense, and go quickly unto the congregation, and make an atonement for them: for there is wrath gone out from the Lord; the plague is begun. And Aaron took as Moses commanded, and ran into the midst of the congregation; and, behold, the plague was begun among the people: and he put on incense, and made an atonement for the people. And he stood between the dead and the living; and the plague was stayed. Now they that died in the plague were fourteen thousand and seven hundred, beside them that died about the matter of Korah. And Aaron returned unto Moses unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation: and the plague was stayed.”