Well, it’s been quite a month. Yes, already. I was pondering this on this first week of February, stewing a little over the galloping pace of the year – and at the hard things already in it. You know the list. Kobe Bryant, impeachment tension, coronavirus, Super Bowl, J-Lo, Iowa voting, your drama, my drama.

Indeed, on a small scale, in my corner of the world, we had 70 F temps on Sunday – and today? Icy snow and barely 10 F.

Then, I looked outside our kitchen window after dinner. The sky a couple of nights ago was a shimmering testimony. Yes, glowing anyway. Despite news. Yes, singing anyway. Despite politics and tragedy and more. If we look up, anyway, the heavens give us this to remember:

“The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it,

the world, and all who live in it.” Psalm 24:1 niv

When David wrote that psalm, his world was in turmoil, too. As Israel’s new king, he’d faced a murderous Philistine army. True, the Lord intervened, saving him. “The Lord did it!” David exclaimed (2 Samuel 5:20). Then, more drama ensued. (You can read the whole story in 2 Samuel 5-6 chapters.)

SO, KEEP ON DANCING

It ends with David dancing before the Ark of the Covenant as he led it into Jerusalem, dancing “with all his might” – in fact, with such abandon that Saul’s daughter Michal, looking down from her window, was “filled with contempt for David” (2 Samuel 6:16).

And what did David do?

He praised God more.

It’s a vital response. Or, in times of crisis, as American journalist Mike Wallace recently asked, “How do you pack your kids’ lunches…check the air on your car’s tires?” Especially if you’re feeling afraid? Or scared  or anxious?

Indeed, should you organize, march, mobilize, rally people to vote? “Or, do you gather for a neighborhood barbeque, head to the church social, take a walk through the woods with your partner?”

Wallace offered a great answer. “You do all of these things.” As he said, “Even during World War II, there still was a World Series. Even during Vietnam there were school plays. Even after 9/11 there was time for coffee with a friend.”

More than all, we trust God. Fearing no man or anything else. Here’s the Lord’s reminder from the prophet Isaiah:

“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.

Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you and help you.

I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10)

And that is how we face our fears in February. Or in any other month. We dance like David. Praise like Paul. Believe the prophet’s report. Follow the hope of Christ, held up by His victorious right hand. As He said:

“Take courage.” Indeed. “I am here!” (Matthew 14:27)

So, look up. He’s still on the throne.

Patricia Raybon is an award-winning, best-selling author of books and essays on faith, race, and grace. She’s a regular contributor to Our Daily Bread Ministries and DaySpring’s (in)courage blog, and contributes often to Compassionate Christianity and to In Touch Ministries’ In Touch Magazine. 

To travel along on Patricia’s Faith Journey, please click here.

Any Scriptures quoted, unless noted otherwise, are the New Living Translation of the Holy Bible.