Day 314 | Wednesday, 27 January 2021

Day 314 - Audio Version

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Day 314 | Wednesday, 27 January 2021 

The county reported 11 more COVID related deaths yesterday - total now 88
 
We are winding down the first month of this new year.  We were all glad to say goodbye to 2020 for a variety of reasons, chief among them the Corona Virus and the changes it brought to the whole world and our individual worlds.  We certainly felt the weight of this pandemic.

January 2021 has continued to be “weighty” for us.  I believe we felt the heaviness of the times when on Epiphany day, January 6th, our nations’ capitol was attacked, and the occupants felt the weight of fear and trembling caused by domestic terrorists.

From that day, we began to sense the weight of the political mine field as there was no normal transition of power taking place.  We wondered about safety for our new president.

          Along with welcoming a new year, we were welcoming a vaccine for COVID-19.  Once again, we were feeling the weight of this highly anticipated relief only to be weighed down with anxiety over when we might be able to receive the vaccine.  Apparently, the supply was not what we were led to believe it was.  So now many of us wonder, even though we meet the age requirements, when will we be able to receive the vaccine?

          The numbers of cases and deaths in our county continue to rise.  More people we know and who are acquaintances have tested positive.  We feel the weight of uncertainty and may even be asking the question – will I be next to test positive?

          Here is what I know and believe: “Regardless of what weighs me down, I know that the Lord is with me.”

Isaiah 43:1-3a, 5a Don’t fear
43 But now, says the Lord—the one who created you, Jacob,
    the one who formed you, Israel: Don’t fear, for I have redeemed you;
    I have called you by name; you are mine.
2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; when through the rivers, they won’t sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you won’t be scorched and flame won’t burn you.
3 I am the Lord your God, the holy one of Israel, your savior.
5 Don’t fear, I am with you.

“How Firm a Foundation” words: “K” in Rippon’s A Selection of Hymns, 1787

1.   “How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord, is laid for your faith in his excellent word!  What more can he say than to you he hath said, to you who for refuge to Jesus have fled?”
 
2.   “Fear not, I am with thee, O be not dismayed, for I am thy God and will still give thee aid;  I’ll strengthen and help thee, and cause thee to stand upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand.”

3.   “When through the deep waters I call thee to go, the rivers of woe shall not thee overflow; for I will be with thee, thy troubles to bless, and sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.”

4.   “When through fiery trials thy pathways shall lie, my grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply; the flame shall not hurt thee; I only design thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine.”
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5.   “The soul that on Jesus still leans for repose, I will not, I will not desert to its foes; that soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake, I’ll never, no, never, no, never forsake.”

“Dear God, when we are overwhelmed, remind us of the calm, strength, and counsel that faith in you provides.  Amen”

Today: pray for those who are struggling with the weight of uncertainty.