the first 3 months of 2020
The 1st quarter of 2020 ended leaving us with memories we would rather not have. I started the year expecting it to be full of opportunities and possibilities. Yet, in this quarter alone, several local and international tragedies have already taken place. From the killing of a person which could have sparked the next world war. The downing of an international flight. A volcanic eruption in the Philippines to a virus in Wuhan that spread and is now considered as a global pandemic. Let’s face it. The COVID-19 outbreak could turn into a global economic recession. This pandemic can easily turn into a faith crisis in the 9 months to come.
A faith crisis is striking to me because it could lead to hopelessness. It is said that man cannot live long without hope. We might think we are going towards that direction, especially if we feel God has left us. But did he?
We can find a verse related to our current situation in Psalms 23. David has likened Jehovah to a good shepherd in this Psalm. But in verse 4, it says:
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
Psalms 23:4. (ESV)
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
Why would a good shepherd bring his sheep through such perilous journey?
Normally, when we read this verse our attention goes to the word “death” when it should be “the valley of the shadow of death”. It means not towards death, but just in the shadow that it casts. It also says “through” which means, it is only part of our journey.
One person I look up to spoke about this and he said that the valley of death mentioned here is the Kidron valley. It is a dark low area surrounded by mountains that served as burial grounds during early times. The shadow of those mountains would cast into the valley, hence the name “valley of the shadow of death”.
Why bring the sheep to that valley? During summer the shepherds would bring their sheep there because it is the only place where they can find water to drink and food to eat. The shadow of the mountains would have also provided shelter from the heat. The sheep fear dark places because they can’t see well in the dark. They stumble and get hurt along the way. They would like to leave that place. But the shepherd would still bring them there because it is what they needed. They don’t know this but they are safe because the shepherd is always with them.
These times represent our trip towards that valley. Death might be around us, but hope has never left us. God will never leave us and will see us get through this turmoil. God is leading us to a place where we can find what we need. And that place is in His presence.
The pandemic we are facing provides the perfect backdrop for His glory to shine. We get the opportunity to take part in the proclamation of the gospel. We have been given a purpose. I have already witnessed people giving out of their poverty. Teachers working remotely ensuring their students continue to learn. Parents who work in the frontlines sacrificing their wellbeing to care for the sick. And, I have seen leaders go down on their knees asking God for help.
Let us be like the sheep in the Psalm of David. Let the Shepherd lead us to a place where we need to be. He is good, let us trust Him. He is in control.
