An Answer for Fear

04 May An Answer for Fear

On behalf of your High Desert Hospice Chaplain Team, I want to reach out and let you all know that we are praying for you in this chaotic season.

Fear seems to be the order of the day, and it can be overwhelming to say the least. This contagion is threatening all of us, and is already affecting many of our personal lives. I’m not talking about COVID-19. I’m speaking of the fear that it is producing—and being propagated by every newscast, podcast, social media outlet, etc… We are being inundated every moment of the day. Now, I’m not saying that we don’t need to be prepared and keep ourselves aware of what’s happening, I’m simply suggesting that there is a reason for great hope and a source of true peace in the midst of the most perilous of times.

In our devotional time this morning, we were led to Psalm 91. As my wife and I have been praying for our family, friends and coworkers over the past several days, we have felt like the Lord has been leading us to pray through several portions of Scripture; Today’s seemed particularly appropriate. Psalm 91 is a Psalm expressing confidence in God’s protection. It is filled with promises that are available for those who put their trust in him. I encourage you to read on.

Psalm 91
1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”
3 Surely He will save you from the fowler’s snare
and from the deadly pestilence.
4 He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
5 You will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,
6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
nor the plague that destroys at midday.
7 A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you.
8 You will only observe with your eyes
and see the punishment of the wicked.
9 If you make the Most High your dwelling—
even the Lord, who is my refuge—
10 then no harm will befall you,
no disaster will come near your tent.
11 For He will command His angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways;
12 they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone,
13 You will tread upon the lion and the cobra;
you will trample the great lion and the serpent.
14 “Because He Loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
15 He will call upon me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him.
16 With long life will I satisfy him
and show him my salvation.”

It is important to understand that this Psalm, and the promises within, do not guarantee an escape from trouble. It simply creates the expectation of the Lord’s goodness and gives us hope in the fact that the Lord watches over us. It is also important to note that while, in the context of Scripture, God’s love for us is unconditional, sometimes to receive the benefits of His love, there are conditions. In this case specifically, it states in verse 9, “If you make the Lord your refuge…” and in verse 14, “…I will rescue those who love me… “ and, “…those who trust in my name.”

God loves us! All of us! He loves you, He loves me. His word is filled with comfort and hope. He is a God that desires relationship with us. He wants us to come to him with our hearts open, ready to receive all He has for us. He is big enough to handle our fear, our anger and even our doubt. It doesn’t mean we won’t experience sorrow, grief or trials. It does mean that, when we do, we have someone to turn to that we can trust! Jesus said, “In this world you will have trouble, but take heart, I have overcome the world.”

In the days ahead we hope to share with you several more of these promises from God’s word. Our purpose is to give you hope and peace. There is real comfort available in this turbulent time. Our hope is that, as you have the opportunity to read through them, you will hear the voice of a loving Father calling out to you to take his hand, step into relationship with Him, and trust Him!

We’re standing with you!

Your Chaplain Team!