I wrote this post for my local church newsletter. Our theme for 2020 is “Your Favorite Bible Verse”, with a special focus on encouragement during the COVID-19 quarantine.

Psalm 90

During much of the global shutdown related to COVID-19, I’ve been camped out in Psalms 90-100 to go along with our sermon series. Psalm 90 in particular is striking in its stark contrast between God and man. The one, infinite, without beginning or end; the other, fleeting like a dream. The one, holy and powerful, pouring out wrath on wickedness; the other, sinful, object of God’s anger.

Maybe better than anything in recent history, this crisis has demonstrated how little control we have over our circumstances. Some have lost jobs, or even friends or family; we all lost our weekly fellowship. The darkness of Psalm 90 rings true.

But we are not left here. Moses cries out for God to have mercy, to show off his works, and to satisfy us with his steadfast love! Has he? Our days may be filled with darkness, but look hard for the light, because “the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1:5)! This light, John writes, is life in Jesus, and it has come! So, Christian, do not despair! We have Jesus! As the hymn says: “Turn your eyes upon Jesus, Look full in His wonderful face; And the things of earth will grow strangely dim In the light of His glory and grace.”