A Cruise to Nowhere

     This coming weekend, we were supposed to go on a cruise along with our daughter, son-in-law and three grandchildren.  Then, along came COVID-19.  We watched and waited as we saw two cruise ships with passengers under quarantine.  Still, we held out hope that these would be isolated incidences.  In addition, our youngest son and his wife were planning a lovely anniversary cruise the week after ours.  However, as news kept coming in and the virus continued to spread, it looked much less likely that we should go.  Can any of us imagine what an extra two weeks on a cruise ship stuck in your cabin would be like?  Plus many ports were beginning to turn ships away for fear of someone having the virus.  Fortunately, our cruise line recognized the potential danger for passengers and cancelled the cruise allowing us to get future cruise credit so we can rebook.  Disappointed?  Yes.  Thankful to be safe?  Definitely.
     More than anything, this proves how God is sovereign over all the affairs of man.  He knows what is best and what lies ahead.  Daily we ask Him for protection and then, we seem surprised when our own plans fall through.  Proverbs 16:9 tells us:  "The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps."  Thankfully, God who is omniscient knows all things and can see what we cannot.  When we commit ourselves to Him with trust, we know He will direct us in the right course of action.  In this case, we are so grateful to avoid potential problems.
     While our country and others around the world are facing the spread of this potentially dangerous virus, we need to focus on the grace of God and His care for us.  Psalm 37 reminds us that the Lord is there to pick us up when we need it and to protect us as well.  Verse 23-24 read:  "23 The steps of a man are established by the LORD, when he delights in his way;  24 though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the LORD upholds his hand."  This verse reminds us that God has laid out for us the steps we are to take.  Yet, if we go astray and fall, He will uphold us.  What a mighty God we serve!
     Later in Psalm 37:25-26 we find more confirmation of God's preserving protection of His own:
25 I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread.  26 He is ever lending generously, and his children become a blessing."  This is a great set of verses to meditate on during a time when people are panic buying in grocery stores over
this current Pandemic.  God will provide for us and meet our needs.  He cares for every detail of our lives.  This should be so evident to those of us who trust in Jesus Christ His Son our Savior.  If God did not care about us, He would never have sent His Son to be the sacrifice for our sins.
     Finally in Verse 28:a,b, we are once more reassured of God's protection:  "28 For the LORD loves justice; he will not forsake his saints.  They are preserved forever,...." All of these Words from the Bible should give us a big sigh of relief.  God is Lord over the Coronavirus.  Yes, our lives are changed as a result of efforts to stop the spread.  Some of us had major plans that had to be put off, but we should not be discouraged.  When we are freely able to move around again without fear of infection, we should rejoice knowing that God was watching out for us.  We must not lose sight of this fact, and pray for those who have been affected by this virus.
     As we spend more time in our homes right now, lets pray, read the Bible and trust in the Lord of our creation.  He will see us through this time if we will keep our eyes on Him and not on our circumstances.  Selah!