Vaccinated for Victory

I have to admit when it comes to this portion of Psalm 91, I have very mixed emotions about this passage. Especially given that we are in a global pandemic. After much prayer, I decided not to evade or avoid this part of the scripture. I know that God promises in His word in 2 Timothy 3:16 “All scripture is inspired by God and is applicable to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. (NLT). When I examine this passage, the most apparent issue staring me in the face is COVID 19. I think of one of my college basketball buddies from my church, Jeff Gladwell, who I was texting with on Sunday during the march madness playoffs, and Jeff went home to be with Jesus Thursday morning, having been overtaken by the virus. Or my old friend Sandy, a retired nurse who experienced near-death, many residual effects and missed the death and funeral of her mother, who also succumbed to COVID 19. Folks who belong to Jesus have lived faithful lives but were taken by the plague that both stalked the darkness and destroyed at midday.

Although These words encourage us to look upward and to surrender fear surrounding the disease and the bodily harm they bring, many have seen, as the psalmist states, a thousand fall or ten thousand by our side. By this time, we all have lost someone, know someone, or have had the virus ourselves. Maybe, all of the above. Who wouldn’t be fearful? We have been indoctrinated with dread by the media, overwhelmed with statistics from world health organizations, faced politicization of whether to mask, vaccinate, hibernate and separate. How dear Lord am I not supposed to fear? Teach us, Lord, let your word inspire us. Tell us what is true!

If I am not careful, I can find myself putting my trust in all the sources that inform me. Information is good and plays a vital role in the maintenance of all of our health. But as a follower of Christ, I am called to be a good steward with information but put my heart and soul’s confidence in God and His truth that doesn’t just inform me; it transforms me. Though this pandemic is horrific and has had devastating effects on lives, livelihood, the global economy, etc., it is mortal. It is temporal. It is not eternal!

Though I have received many vaccines, everything from smallpox to Covid, they may only be effective on some scale in this life in this existence. I, on the other hand, have been created with the capacity for eternity. Though I may be temporarily overtaken by disease or even meet death. As a result, I do not have to live with fear for I have been promised by the Most High God that death is but a transition for me, not a destiny. I am confident that if my friend Jeff could give input, he would clearly share that he was not a victim but rather a victor. Though it was tragic for his wife, son, and grands to say “see you later”, Jeff’s health has been restored in every way. He is no longer vulnerable to disease, the pestilence that stalks the darkness, or light for that matter, and no plague can touch him where he is. I don’t know if Jeff received Moderna or Pfizer. Personally, do I think these vaccines are a guarantee I won’t get covid 19? I don’t.

However, I do think they offer a reasonable, responsible layer of protection for not just myself but the community that I am a part of on this planet. I applied the” love your neighbor as yourself “when it came time to take it. The only immunization that I believe is 100 percent effective is the one I can receive from the truth God offers about the blood of Christ that guarantees I can survive all things, including death, vaccines and fear and viruses, and suffering loss. My belief in Christ and His death to cover the sins of the world, including mine, the physical recovery from death on resurrection morning, and the promise that He gave me that where He is, I will be, immunizes me against the lie the enemy broadcasts. He testifies that there is someone or something that can do me in that God has no control of. The evil one tries to tell us that God’s word is only partially true and if we don’t understand it, it somehow diminishes its integrity as truth. That’s a lie!. I don’t understand how microwaves or x-rays work or how airplanes fly, but I regularly apply their function. Even if I don’t understand everything God intended through the words of the Psalmist about not fearing the pestilence or the plague,I know that as David said in the 23rd psalm, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil.” Why? For you are with me O God
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The enemy would convince us, God is not merciful or if He were really kind, He would obliterate all disease. The whole time we are clamoring for God’s deliverance, we are clutching our free will and rights to choose even to believe if He even exists. The faithless part of this world aspires to be on what I refer to as the cafeteria plan of a relationship with their creator. Take a stroll through the cosmos, select a few concepts like blessing, deliverance, healing, peace among mankind but no commitment of any kind. A spiritual friend with benefits.s. This type of thinking immunizes us against the truth about the plan God has for us, not just in this life but for all time. The plain truth is I have been vaccinated for victory. I am a victim to nothing. Nothing except the mercy and care of a loving God who has nothing but perfection planned for me, Forever! Ultimately, every fiber, every cell, every minute of my life belongs to Him. I shake my head when I hear friends and folks say with false bravado about the virus.”I’m not afraid. If I die, I die.” My response is, “sometimes I am afraid, but then God arrests my fear with this truth, if I die, I live. I am guaranteed full recovery. If I dwell with the Most High I can live above the fear that comes my way in this life. As an experienced healthcare provider, I have known very few folks who just died in their sleep. Something gets at us: disease, pestilence, plague, high blood pressure, cardiac failure, diabetes, accidents, cancer. But oh, though my breath ceases, my heart stops, this frail body grows cold, at that moment the victorious vaccine of heaven and all of its antibodies against mortality are going to kick in, and I am going to experience the best health and vitality I have ever encountered. It will surpass the strength of youth, the wonder of any science, and will never be a vessel for any plague or pestilence. Fear won’t even be a memory. Hallelujah!

Though right now, this season of a pandemic looms over me, and I don’t pretend to understand all that it entails, I do understand that it is not the worst disease I could contract. Unbelief rooted out of the sin of rebellion that would separate me from God for eternity is a far worse fate than any plague could usher in. I don’t like to suffer, but having had COVID 19 and now struggling with a few long-hauler issues doesn’t make me an expert. It makes me thankful that the Most High God was with me every single second, and He was strength and hope.

Lord, help me enjoy this life but not live like this is the ultimate good thing you have for me. I live in scary days God. Help me be a good steward of my life, my health, and the health of others, but rest that all things, including COVID 19, do not escape your attention. As the good good Father you are; you don’t want me to be afraid. When fear comes my way, refresh me with the promise of eternity and live joyously with your comfort in both the darkness and the midday. Remind me, I am vaccinated for victory.

Please come back where next time the 5 o’clock worker camps out in the vineyard and puts up a tent.