I’ve Anchored in Jesus

I have had the time to do a lot of thinking and introspection for the last 2 1/2 to 3 weeks, and I want to write straight from my heart.

You see, as the beautiful Month of May was approaching its end, I tested positive for the Covid-19 Virus and consequently experienced what so many have experienced in the last couple of years, I had Covid, and it was a bad thing to have.

I suffered loss of smell, taste, and appetite, as well as congestion, coughing, and extreme fatigue. I was fortunate and very blessed to maintain high oxygen levels and experienced no fever, but nonetheless, I had some miserably sick days, lost quite a few pounds, and was isolated from my sweet wife and everyone else. I prayed a lot, read my Bible and a book or two, and watched some television, but much of the time I spent in exhausted sleep, weary and worn from coughing and fatigue.

I also spent much of my time in reflection and meditation, one day reflecting upon things I wish I had done differently, thanking the Lord for His mercy and forgiveness, and on another day just counting my blessings as I reflected on God’s goodness to me and His amazing grace.

Despite three shots of the Moderna vaccine, I had still contracted this dreadful disease, even receiving a call from the Regional District State Health Offices telling me I was one of their “Breakthrough Cases” who had had three vaccine shots and still got the virus, and they interviewed me to collect health data. No one wants that kind of fame.

I realized how much worse it could have been and came to the sudden realization that what had now invaded my body had the potential to cause my death. I shall never take His lovingkindness and mercy for granted.

There was a darkness that was surrounding this virus I can’t explain, but the Word of God was so precious to me during this experience. The Comforter always abides, and the Word we have hidden in our hearts never leaves us.
Darkness cannot remain where there is light.

I thought of the many funerals I had attended because of this plague and the precious children of God around the globe who had perished from it and didn’t understand why some were taken. Some of us remained, feeling so unworthy of His mercy to me, and on that day, I just thanked God for everything I could think of that He has done for me, and yet I am sure I fell short in my gratitude. I feel so closely akin right now to the Psalmist David, who said, “What shall I render unto the Lord for all of His benefits toward me?”
Psalms 116:12

Well, I am better now. The last vestiges of my cough, though still there, are fading, my smell and taste have come back, and my appetite is slowly returning. I am experiencing some lingering fatigue and weakness many of my friends have told me lasts a while after Covid, but I am much better and on the mend. I am so thankful. For anyone who prayed for me, thank you from the depths of my heart.

Four things I have learned and relearned through this experience…..

First of all, we are human…”For He knoweth our frame; He remembereth that we are dust.”
Psalms 103:14….We are dependent upon Him, for Paul reminds us in Acts 17:28, “For in Him we live, we move, and we have our being…”

Secondly, I have relearned the beauty of patience and waiting upon the Lord. God is my timekeeper, and when we wait on Him.
Isaiah reminds us of this in Isaiah 40:31 “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength….”

Thirdly, I have been reminded of the intense love I have for my family and my friends, and my church. I cherish the love and mutual nurturing of my family. I thank God for the confidence and mutual trust of my true friends. I thank the God of Heaven and earth for the wonderful Body of Christ I am a part of.

Finally, I have, in the midst of my affliction, been reminded that we, the children of God, living right now, are a last-day generation of people. Even the plagues and pestilences of this hour were prophecied of by Jesus in
Matthew 24 and Luke 21. It is a tough time to be alive right now in a wicked world. But this I know, as an old hymn of my youth declared,

“I’ve anchored in Jesus, the storms of life I’ll brave,
I’ve anchored in Jesus; I fear no wind or wave,
I’ve anchored in Jesus, for He hath power to save,
I’ve anchored to the Rock of Ages.
Lewis E. Jones 1901

General Director,

Dr. David M. Griffis