Psalm 91 and Protection from Pandemics

by | Posted April 26th at 11:57pm

During the COVID-19 Pandemic, Christians of all denominations are sharing Psalm 91, a psalm which promises protection from pestilence, aka plagues. It is taken equally as serious as John 3:16. It seems valid to state that all things that occurred as punishment in the old covenant are now referred to in the apostolic epistles to Christians as important warnings. (2 Peter 3:8-14, 1 Corinthians 10:10-13)

In this study, I am not referring to individual illnesses such as cancer or any other weakness in the body’s DNA that brings on illness or death. I am referring to a collective judgement of a similar punishment among one or more nations. And I do not refer to those individuals, especially the deceased, caught up in the international epidemic as it sweeps the globe. Whenever there is a country or countries chastised by God, many suffer corporately.

It stands to reason if we seek protection as promised in Psalm 91, in keeping with the blessings versus curses law – deliverance from fatal epidemics – we must agree: that both the curses for disobedience to our covenantal agreements with God and potential blessings for righteous obedience apply across the covenants as does the curse of death unto all men. (see Deuteronomy 30:19-20; Malachi 2:2). In the New Covenant after the crucifixion, we have the promise of the imputed righteousness of Christ, the joy of the Passover and Easter holiday season (Romans 4:24 NLT). This is comforting if we are allowing the indwelling Spirit of Christ to sanctify us. (1 Thessalonians 5:23)

When King David took a census of the people against God’s will, Gad, David’s seer spoke God’s Word to him: “You may choose three years of famine, three months of destruction by the sword of your enemies, or three days of severe plague as the angel of the LORD brings devastation throughout the land of Israel. Decide what answer I should give the LORD who sent me.” (1 Chronicles 21:12)

Before the exile to Babylon Jeremiah warned Judah’s leaders of pending judgement via King Nebuchadnezzar which eventually lasted 70 long years. God’s judgements historically frequently involve warring nations. It is noteworthy that Socio-Political philosophers such Norm Chomsky are saying that nuclear war could be closer than we think given international chaos and the poor state of democratic leadership. As recent as January 28, 2020, allegations that a US biochemist at Harvard University was selling information to the Wuhan University of Technology.

If applied today, the curse of the COVID-19 crisis is perhaps some form of judgment for the sins across the globe among nations with infected victims. And we know that cause and effect works in nature created by God as well. To bridge the argument: curses effectively would apply to the New Covenant instituted by Christ’s Atonement on the cross applicable to the entire world, just as would the promises extend to the Christians referred to the children of Abraham. (Galatians 3:7 NLT) Christ prophesying through the Apostle John noted that during the seven last plagues, that 66% of the world’s population will not repent due to sorcery or sexual immorality as in the days of Noah and Sodom and Gomorrah (cf. Luke 17:26, Matthew 10:15, Revelation 9:21).

Ezekiel refers to any country that offends Yahweh; he threatens to send any number of curses, including economic trouble, food shortages and pandemics. (Ezekiel 14:12-19 NLT)

I do not refer to the ceremonial laws given to Israel by Moses, such as sacrificing animals, which pointed to Christ’s redemption on the cross. I refer primarily to the ten moral precepts of the Decalogue, generally referred to as the commandments of God. These rules are permanent directives that govern a good life. Jesus reduced the ten to two laws echoing the teaching of Moses (Mark 12:30-31, Deuteronomy 6:4-5. Leviticus 19:18) referred to as the royal summary law. He also noted: if you love Me – keep my commandments. This is further taught by his disciples. (John 14:15, Romans 12:9, 13:9-10, James 2:8, Galatians 5:14) Jesus also made it clear that before His second advent when he comes with all his angels to judge the world, he is looking for a people that live in accord with these moral commandments through the indwelling Holy Spirit. (John 15:5, Romans 8:2, 14, 29, 1 Corinthians 6:19, 2 Corinthians 6:6, 1 John 2:20)

In the book of Revelation, as transcribed by the Apostle John, Jesus makes it clear: He will save the folks who both hold the faith of Jesus and adhere to the moral law as a necessary standard on earth, from the final crisis of this world. (Revelation 14:12)

Article posted by Glen R. Jackman, founder of GraceProclaimed.org

Glen has optimized his eldership role to teach the full scope of the New Covenant of Jesus Christ without boundaries.
You can read his testimony.