Day 18
Faith in the Midst of a Pandemic
A series of daily reflections for people of faith, published by the Patuxent
Presbyterian Church, California, Maryland, by Rev. Robert Bayley, Interim Pastor
WEEK THREE: WEDNESDAY 1 APRIL 2020
“But the Word of God is Not Confined”
“This is a deadly public health crisis. We are no longer asking or suggesting
that Marylanders stay home. We are directing them to do so.”
Larry Hogan, Governor of Maryland, 30 March 2020
What does it mean to be confined? While it might prove emotionally difficult for some, our plight is nothing compared to the confinement being experienced by hundreds of thousands in refugee camps in Sudan and Syria who, if the coronavirus finds a foothold in their midst, will experience a devastating number of deaths.
The Apostle Paul knew what it was to be confined – jailed, to be exact, and that for the sake of the Gospel. He recounts that time in his life from a firsthand vantage point in jail in his letter to a young disciple named Timothy:
“Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David.
This is my gospel, for which I am suffering even to the point of being
chained like a criminal. But the word of God is not chained.” 2 Timothy 2:8-9
Confinement can be deleterious to our mental and emotional health. Taking advantage of this time of confinement to spend time in God’s word can mitigate potentially negative effects on our person, turning this time around into a life-giving, spiritually energizing chapter in life.
During this indeterminate time of confinement don’t allow your soul to be confined. Get acquainted with the God Who made you through quality time in His Word, so that when this chapter in your life is concluded, you will look back and be glad you “redeemed the time,” (Ephesians 5:16), instead of wasting time in countless hours of television and computer games. Get out your Bible and turn it into a ‘best friend.’ You can also go to the pcusa.org website for the daily lectionary readings. Do something for your soul. This is not a rehearsal.
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Reflective question: What plan do you have in place during this time of confinement to spend
more time in God’s Word? Be intentional in your response and map it out.
Reflective scripture: Hebrews 4:12 – “The word of God is living and active.”
Reflective hymn: “How Firm a Foundation” – Author unknown, from a 1787 hymnal
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 to Jesus for refuge have fled.
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