PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
I will sing to the Lord! – Rev. Howard Ulmer, President
PSALM 13 (ESV)
How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever?
How long will you hide your face from me?
2 How long must I take counsel in my soul
and have sorrow in my heart all the day?
How long shall my enemy be exalted over me?
3 Consider and answer me, O Lord my God;
light up my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death,
4 lest my enemy say, “I have prevailed over him,”
lest my foes rejoice because I am shaken.
5 But I have trusted in your steadfast love;
my heart shall rejoice in your salvation.
6 I will sing to the Lord,
because he has dealt bountifully with me.
The heart of the Psalmist is filled with deep emotion, including loneliness and abandonment. He feels overwhelmed with his situation and the events that affect him seem beyond his control. When will the Lord rescue him? How long shall he wait?
The year 2020 began with great hopes and goals for many people in our world. However, since March the pandemic Covid-19 has had a significant impact on the lives of many people in our world. This has had a severe impact on employment, travel, worship services and family closeness. Many people are overwhelmed and discouraged. They ask, “How long, O Lord?”
The Psalmist reminds us, “But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation.” The Psalmist is aware of his history that included waiting 430 years before the people were delivered from slavery in Egypt. He is aware of the 40 years of travel on the way to the promised land and hope. He also looked forward to the coming Messiah and hope. Although the burdens and struggles of life seemed too great, he trusted in God’s steadfast love.
Covid-19 has caused sickness and death, economic loss and uncertainty, family struggles and hardship. Health officials and govern- ments encourage physical distancing and limiting the size of gatherings, including for worship. As we wait for vaccines the pandem- ic continues. We look to science and medical research for answers. “How long, O Lord?” Our God has not abandoned us. He is in control of the world, even when various events and natural disasters happen. Sometimes we want to blame God, instead of trusting in Him. Through His Son, Jesus, who died for us and rose again we have our hope. Through Him we have forgiveness of sins, life and salvation. “My heart shall rejoice in your salvation.” May we continue to trust in God’s grace and mercy as we reflect on His steadfast love for His people. “I will sing to the Lord!”