The Lord is my light and my salvation;
Whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the defense of my life;
Whom shall I dread?

Psalm 27:1

We live in a desperate time where fear is rampant. The COVID-19 virus has turned the world upside down, sending humans into hysterics. I happen to believe from a “spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places” viewpoint (Ephesians 6:12) that there has never been a more diabolical plot hatched and shrewdly implemented by Satan. He has shuttered humankind and even the church in a way no war or threat of war could.

“But God,” my wife is fond of saying, “But God!”

In the first verse of Psalm 27, we’re asked who is worth fearing, and who is worth dreading? Fear is to be afraid of, or to have a healthy respect for something. The virus is worthy of both, and that’s why we’ve taken many precautions to keep ourselves and others healthy. But it is comforting and encouraging to know that whatever happens, our God is our light in the darkness and our salvation.

But the word “dread” is what most of us are experiencing in these days of spiking curves and rising death counts. This word can mean to “live in terror.” This kind of living is debilitating. To this the Lord says, “I am the defense of your life.”

It’s understandable to be fearful these days, but unhealthy to dread. Pray instead that God will protect you, and everyone.

And there’s much more encouragement to be had as you read on in the Psalm!