It is April 15, 2020, the halfway point of our current “30 days to slow the spread” nationwide shutdown in response to the coronavirus. The seriousness of the pandemic, and not knowing if we will ever get back to what we used to call “normal” creates feelings of intense uneasiness and fear for many people. Thinking about this reminded me of Psalm 20:7, written by King David as he was about to go into battle against a threatening foe. He wrote: “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.” Are you trusting God today?

For those of us who trust in the Lord the word for the day should be calmfidence. Now, I know that “calmfidence” isn’t a real word, but maybe it should be. It brings together “calm” and “confidence” and when you think about it, they really work together. If you have a reason to be confident you can be calm even in the midst of uncertainty and danger. And if you have a reason to be calm you can be confident even when things seem to be spinning out of control.

It’s an understatement to say that we are living in unprecedented times. But we serve the living God, “the maker of heaven and earth” (Psalm 121:2b). He can be trusted at all times. He’s never off duty: “He will not let your foot slip—he who watches over you will not slumber” (Psalm 121:3). “The Lord watches over you—the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.  The Lord will keep you from all harm—he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.” (Psalm 121:5-8)

Scripture is filled with promises like these. God will not abandon us but will respond to our needs. The Bible assures us that “The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are attentive to their cry” (Psalm 34:15). And, as David writes earlier in that same Psalm, “I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.” (vs. 4)

So be calmfident today! Take to heart the counsel Moses gave to the Israelites when they were intimidated by the challenges of entering the promised land. Moses said, “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” (Deuteronomy 31:8).

Our Lord will not fail to watch over us. He will see us through. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8). 

Trust the Lord, and may He fill you with calmfidence!