COVID-19 Cases Worldwide:13,787,827
COVID-19 Deaths Worldwide: 588,635
To some, these are just numbers on a page. The sad reality is so many people are hurt, suffering, and brokenhearted right now.
As the writer of this blog, I can tell you that I haven’t lost anyone to COVID-19, but I have recently experienced the loss of two of my extended family members (within the past 6 months) and I know loss hurts. Knowing that so many people have lost their loved ones to COVID-19 breaks my heart. Still, I can’t even fathom all of the hurt, pain, and brokenness that many must be enduring right now. Maybe you know someone or are someone who has been directly impacted by a death caused by COVID-19? Or maybe you or someone you know who recently has lost a loved one in some other unexpected way. I don’t know. But, when calamity strikes we as humans are often left with many questions that we as a mere human can’t answer. But, no matter what happens we are not alone.
The psalmist wrote, “When my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered… Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. – Psalms 73: 21, 23-24 NIV “The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” – Deuteronomy 31:8 NIV Romans 8:38-39 reminds us that nothing can separate us from the love of God. “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” If we cry out to God, He will hear and come near to us. “In my distress I called to the LORD; I cried to my God for help. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came before him, into his ears.” -Psalm 18:6 NIV “The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” – Psalms 34:1-18 NIV We are never alone. God is here with us.
Here are some of the lyrics to a song by Hillsong United called Here now (Madness):
“Skies spin their dance within Your breath
Time runs its race within Your hand
And my mind runs wild to comprehend
What no mind on earth could understand
Your ways are higher
Your thoughts are wilder
Love came like madness…
It makes no sense but this is grace
And I know You’re with me in this place
Here now
Still my heart
Let Your voice be all I hear now
Here now
Fix my eyes on things that I can’t see now
Spirit breathe like the wind come have Your way
‘Cause I know You’re in this place
Faith makes a fool of what makes sense
But grace found my heart where logic ends
When justice called for all my debts
The Friend of sinners came instead…
And I know You’re with me in this place
Here now
Still my heart
Let Your voice be all I hear now
Fix my eyes on things that I can’t see now
Spirit breathe like the wind come have Your way
‘Cause I know that You are
Here now… ”
Dear Lord Jesus, please be with all of the people who are hurting because they recently lost a loved one. Please comfort all of those who are suffering because of unbearable loss. Please surround them with Your embrace of love and give hope in You. Amen.
P.S. Follow He Knows Your Name on Facebook for more updates. I now post prayers on Facebook on a weekly basis. Here is the link to He Knows Your Name’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Heknowsyourname/
Source: https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/
