For several days this week I had a knot in the pit of my stomach. Once again our provincial government has closed the doors to our churches due to covid. My heart is heavy for the isolation we are facing, many while going through other kinds of life crises without the comfort of others around them.

There has also been a kind of burning in my heart for the direction I fear our world is headed. It is easy to become discouraged. But God has reminded me that he has not called us in this time to dwindle or become stagnant. Christians cannot and must not be made powerless by a disease or by the government. If we ask him, he will give us work to do. Certainly, he will provide a way to continue spreading his word. We can be bold, hopeful, and unafraid because we know that he is not threatened, and we will have victory with him in the end.

“Let Us Burst Their Bonds”
A poem on Psalm 2

We will not be powerless
when the sword swings or gavel
comes down on our heads,
God’s church to unravel.

Try though they may
to burst bonds apart,
one Spirit holds us
united in heart.

“Cast off their cords”
Say the rulers, but listen-
In heaven God laughs
holding them in derision.

You kings of the earth,
only one will we fear;
We are his possession
whom he has brought near,
and since our members
extend through the earth,
bound as by cartilage
through one hope, one birth-

We will not cower.
If wolves should attack
Our one shepherd did die
For one flock, not the pack.

Our safety lies not
in the powers of man
but in knowing this voice,
following his command.

Therefore, be warned,
kiss the Son lest his anger
around you should flourish
as you in your rancor
ignited the kindling,
and stood in the way,
to be made only shards
when the Lord has his day.

Blessed are those who take refuge that’s true;
Jesus is our strong tower, not men who refuse
to be wise, and who labor to crush us with fear
beneath which we won’t cringe for Christ’s church is too dear.

When pressed, we rise;
Persecuted we bless,
“Vengeance is mine,”
says the Lord, and we rest.

Standing firm in the spirit
of love and of power,
we hold out God’s word
and wait for his hour.