The morning was chilly for April. Weary of multiple spring storms, I spent the night listening to winds pound my house. But as a new day dawned, I focused on performing my daily ritual of preparing breakfast while watching the morning news bracing myself to weather the storm “Pandemic 2020”.
The steady rain of grim statistics of infection rate and rising death toll suddenly ceased. I stopped my work and was surprised by a story of comfort. From the kitchen, I heart the sounds of the gifted Andrea Bocelli presenting the world with a free Easter performance on the steps of Milan’s Duomo cathedral.
Hope in the Comfort of God’s Love
I watched the stoic anchors begin to soften, smiling as they paused to listen. They were listening to the familiar words of an old hymn proclaiming the love and grace of God. The verses were known, but its message brought renewal. Miraculously, the whole world seems to refuge in the hope that was discovered as an artist sang in front of a seven hundred-year-old cathedral-hope in the God Almighty! Tears of joy began to flow as I sat down to take in the transformative experience.
The media reported: “Italian global music icon Andrea Bocelli gave a solo performance representing a message of love, healing and hope to Italy and the world.” I was encouraged to see that a hurting world welcomed the message of “love, healing, and hope” that pointed to the love of God. An 18th-century song was now inspiring us during a 2020 pandemic.
Amazing grace! How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found;
Was blind, but now I see.’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed.Through many dangers, toils, and snares,
I have already come;
’Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.The Lord has promised good to me,
His Word my hope secures;
He will my Shield and Portion be,
As long as life endures.Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess, within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.The earth shall soon dissolve like snow,
The sun forbear to shine;
But God, who called me here below,
Will be forever mine.When we’ve been there ten thousand years,
Amazing Grace by John Newton
Bright shining as the sun,
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise
Than when we’d first begun.
The security of God’s love gives hope in a time of uncertainty.
“Pandemic 2020” is like a raging storm in nature, instilling doubt, fear, and confusion about the present and future. In a hurricane or tornado, we become disoriented with losses and the unfamiliar struggle. In the process of recovery, we will discover the strength and provision that was gifted by God. Despite the storms, we can have peace and joy when the source of our hope is in the Amazing Grace of God.
But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.
They will soar high on wings like eagles.
They will run and not grow weary.
They will walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31 NLT
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