Highlights and Covid-19

Friends, It’s been over a year since I penned the devotional below. As the cascading tragic events of the last few weeks have reverberated in my mind and across our globe, its truths came to my mind again.

Too many of us who claim the name of the Lord Jesus Christ are living and walking in fear. Did God’s Word suddenly lose its power? Are the promises we’ve stood on through past difficulties not strong enough for us to stand on today? Whatever the outcome, our lives are in His hands – the days ordained for us have been established before even one began (Psalm 139). Let’s take Him at His Word. He Who gave the life of only His Son for us, deserves our trust – come what may.

Highlights and Covid-19

God is my Refuge and Strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore, I will not fear, though the earth should change and though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea…

I will be still and know He is God.

Whom do I have in heaven but You? And with You, I desire nothing on earth. My flesh and my heart may fail, But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

Psalm 46:1-2,10   Becky’s paraphrase. Psalm 73:25-26  NASB

No, not the Miss Clairol kind of highlights gracing my ever-graying hair…

Social-distancing. Quarantine. Covid-19. Mandates. Mask-rage. A new vocabulary has arisen. News casts, social media, empty grocery store shelves…no matter where we turn it’s there. The reality that our reality has changed, pours forth from every direction. Uncertainty and a sense of unease has suddenly become an ever-present, silent guest.

Feeling the sheer weight of the trial that seems to be engulfing every area of life…I whispered a prayer of “help”, opened my Bible and began scanning the pages for highlighted, underlined and note-beside-them verses. Highlights from past days and past trials with scribbled notes reminding me of all He has walked me through. Not having the mental stamina or emotional energy to search out something new, these old friends are comfort-food for my soul – reminding me of His faithfulness and sovereign control of all that has grazed my life. From death and divorce and betrayal to financial collapse and depression. Even the utter silliness of bad hair days and hormone challenges (yes, I pray and write about it all!).

That’s when it hit me. All these neon yellow highlights and “Amens” scrawled in red ink…Did I still believe what I highlighted? Now. In the midst of such world-wide and prescription-for-fear uncertainty? Did these highlights represent the truth and a rock solid faith to stand on or did they reveal a shallowness that would only carry me through sunny days and desired outcomes? Was my faith a façade or real? And as it has been said, “A faith that cannot be tested, cannot be trusted.”

The Holy Spirit gently showed me that fear was trying to assert control where it had no right. Though my emotions might fluctuate with the latest news story, my faith didn’t have to. My peace didn’t have to and my courage to face the future didn’t have to either. I had a choice to make and a God to serve. Whatever the outcome – He is in control and has a purpose. In the meantime, I was to find my strength in the shelter of the Most High and be about His business. The business He has called me to – to encourage His people to trust Him no matter the circumstance.

So dear one – as we walk through this unsurpassed trial layered with all the other struggles of everyday life, allow me to encourage you to trust Him in the middle of this storm and find your strength in the shelter of the Most High, He will not fail you. I am not attempting to slap a Band-Aid on cancer or a cutsie meme on real pain – it is front facing the reality and then choosing to trust the God we serve and taking Him at His Word. Period.

If you don’t know Him, cry out to Him, He will not reject you. If you already know Him, get to know Him better. Right now, while He has your undivided attention. Look back at your own neon highlights or make some new ones. Start with Psalm 46…  and highlight dear one, highlight!

You’ll never know Jesus is all you need until Jesus is all you have. 

– Corrie Ten Boom

Father, You are just as faithful today as I proclaimed last year or last week. As I shelter myself in You and Your Word, Infuse me with Your Peace in the midst of the storm and enable me to lead others to You during this season of trial. I love You… In Jesus name, Amen.

Written by Becky White for the Lord Jesus