After weeks of our nation being gripped by the COVID-19 pandemic, there are still many questions which have not been answered because this virus is novel. Experts, scientists and politicians offer guesses but do not have concrete answers.
Some of the most common questions are:
~ "When will the apex occur?"
~ "When will our lives go back to normal?"
~ "When will I be able to go back to work?"
~ "When will the store shelves be filled?"
~ "How will I pay my rent, mortgage, taxes?"
~ "How will I provide for the needs of my family?"
The more we focus on these questions and the lack of answers, our fear, worry, anxiety, sorrow and confusion grows.
About 3,000 years ago, a man by the name of Asaph had a similar experience. He saw the wicked around him prospering and the righteous suffering. He states in Psalm 73:2, 3 "But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled, my steps had nearly slipped. For I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked." (ESV) As Asaph continued to contemplate the times in which he lived he writes, "But when I thought to how to understand this, it seemed to me a wearisome task. [Psalm 73:16]"
By the end of the Psalm, Asaph turns from gloom to joy. What caused this transformation of Asaph's soul? He writes, "I went into the sanctuary of God; then I discerned their end. [Psalm 73:17]"
The temple was the location where the scrolls containing the Word of God was kept. It was in the Scriptures where Asaph found answers about the troubling times surrounding him. Furthermore, it is where Asaph learned about God--His greatness, faithfulness, compassion and grace.
When we have troubling times, we have a choice to make--focus on our trouble and questions or focus on God by drawing near to Him through the Scriptures.
When you focus on your trouble, your life becomes more difficult. When you focus on God, you will have joy, peace, and answers to your questions.
Read Psalm 73. Meditate on it throughout your day.