During these trying times, let us remind ourselves that God is in control. The Covid-19 may affect many thousands of people around the world, but God allowed it with a reason.
Nothing will happen to us who come under the shelter of Elyon (בְּסֵתֶר עֶלְיוֹן). Elyon (עֶלְיוֹן) simply means God Most High. It goes without saying that everything is under God's control. Whether we live or we die, God will still be protecting us from any pestilence. Psalm 91 is a great source of comfort to all of us who have to battle with the disease.
The restricted movement order currently practised in Malaysia (and in some countries, a complete lockdown), is a reminder that we need to stay at home in order to protect ourselves against the disease.
When we look for shelter, it also means we cease from all other activities and stay safe. סֵתֶר עֶלְיוֹן parallels the second part of verse 1 which reads, בְּצֵל שַׁדַּי יִתְלוֹנָן. When we are under the shadow of the Almighty בְּצֵל שַׁדַּי, although it appears like night and darkness is upon us, this is nothing but the shadow of the Almighty. And in this shadow of protection, we will abide יִתְלוֹנָן and dwell in safety יֹשֵׁב.
Like the psalmist said, "מַחְסִי וּמְצוּדָתִי" (my refuge and my fortress), let us also call to God and tell Him that He alone is both our refuge and stronghold. Although we face all sorts of challenges and the יָקוּשׁ (fowler, trapper) try to trap us, God will be deliver us from the מִדֶּבֶר הַוּוֹת (translated in New American Standard Bible as 'deadly pestilence'). However, we know the root word is דֶָּבֶָר can also be translated either as 'thing' or 'word.' BDB Hebrew Lexicon translates it as 'thorn.' Although this 'thorn' has the sting of death, yet God will deliver us just as He has promised. Be reminded of verse 3: כִּי הוּא יַצִּילְךָ מִפַּח יָקוּשׁ מִדֶּבֶר הַוּוֹת׃ which can be paraphrased as 'For He will set you free from any trap placed before you by the devil (fowler) who wants your life and (protect you) from the deadly flying arrows or the thorns that have the sting of death."
May God protect us all from the deadly thing now known to us as Corona Virus n-2019 (or Covid-19, in short).
For those who can read Hebrew, it is time to meditate on His Word:
Psa.
91:1 יֹשֵׁב בְּסֵתֶר עֶלְיוֹן בְּצֵל שַׁדַּי יִתְלוֹנָן׃ 2
אֹמַר לַיהוָה מַחְסִי וּמְצוּדָתִי אֱלֹהַי אֶבְטַח־בּוֹ׃ 3 כִּי הוּא יַצִּילְךָ מִפַּח יָקוּשׁ מִדֶּבֶר הַוּוֹת׃ 4
בְּאֶבְרָתוֹ יָסֶךְ לָךְ וְתַחַת־כְּנָפָיו תֶּחְסֶה צִנָּה וְסֹחֵרָה אֲמִתּוֹ׃ 5 לֹא־תִירָא מִפַּחַד לָיְלָה מֵחֵץ יָעוּף יוֹמָם׃ 6
מִדֶּבֶר בָּאֹפֶל יַהֲלֹךְ מִקֶּטֶב יָשׁוּד צָהֳרָיִם׃ 7 יִפֹּל מִצִּדְּךָ אֶלֶף וּרְבָבָה מִימִינֶךָ אֵלֶיךָ לֹא יִגָּשׁ׃ 8
רַק בְּעֵינֶיךָ תַבִּיט וְשִׁלֻּמַת רְשָׁעִים תִּרְאֶה׃ 9 כִּי־אַתָּה יְהוָה מַחְסִי עֶלְיוֹן שַׂמְתָּ מְעוֹנֶךָ׃ 10 לֹא־תְאֻנֶּה אֵלֶיךָ רָעָה וְנֶגַע לֹא־יִקְרַב בְּאָהֳלֶךָ׃ 11 כִּי מַלְאָכָיו יְצַוֶּה־לָּךְ לִשְׁמָרְךָ בְּכָל־דְּרָכֶיךָ׃ 12
עַל־כַּפַּיִם יִשָּׂאוּנְךָ פֶּן־תִּגֹּף בָּאֶבֶן רַגְלֶךָ׃ 13
עַל־שַׁחַל וָפֶתֶן תִּדְרֹךְ תִּרְמֹס כְּפִיר וְתַנִּין׃ 14 כִּי בִי חָשַׁק וַאֲפַלְּטֵהוּ אֲשַׂגְּבֵהוּ כִּי־יָדַע שְׁמִי׃ 15
יִקְרָאֵנִי וְאֶעֱנֵהוּ עִמּוֹ־אָנֹכִי בְצָרָה אֲחַלְּצֵהוּ וַאֲכַבְּדֵהוּ׃ 16 אֹרֶךְ יָמִים אַשְׂבִּיעֵהוּ וְאַרְאֵהוּ בִּישׁוּעָתִי׃
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