Alva Review-Courier -

WOW!! That’s what is going through my mind as I think about what has happened in our world over the last month and a half. Though we may not see the direct impact of this enemy we call COVID-19, believe me, it’s there. Our family has been directly impacted by the virus itself and the aftermath of what it has been doing to communities in our country. I am reminded of the telling of the battle between David and Goliath in 1 Samuel chapter 17 in the Old Testament as I think about feeling powerless against this formidable foe that is against us right now.

The nation of Israel is at war with the Philistines, but the Philistine army is being led by a giant named Goliath. The Bible says he stands at about 9 feet 9 inches tall. He has challenged the army of Israel to send out one man to fight him to decide who will be the winner. David’s older brothers are all there, part of this group of men that have pledged their lives to protect their nation, but no one is willing to fight this hulk of a man named Goliath. David’s father, Jessie, decides to send his sons some food so he sends David to check on them. He arrives just in time to hear Goliath taunt the army of Israel, making David furious that no one is willing to do anything about this tyrant. He volunteers to fight Goliath to the death.

David is just a young teenager at this point, but there is something about David that King Saul finds peaceful and reassuring. He decides to let him represent the nation in this battle. David had absolute trust in the Lord that He would be with him and help him win the battle.

When he went out to meet Goliath, Goliath laughed at him and mocked him with his words. But listen to how David responds in 1 Samuel 17:45-47 NIV: (45) David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. (46) This day the Lord will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. (47) All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.” I suggest you go and read the rest for yourselves and find out what happens.

We do not need to live in fear right now. Does that mean we need to be out doing exactly the opposite of what the CDC is recommending? Absolutely not. In fact, if we follow the guidelines of the CDC, we can help wipe out this thing sooner than what is projected because we won’t be passing this thing around. If the right thing to do is stay home, then let’s do that. I believe that God has the right people working on this and they need our help to stay out of the way. Trust God in this and love those around you by staying away for a bit.