Living a Psalm 23 Faith in a COVID-19 World: Principles for Developing a Persevering Faith When Times are Tough

The COVID-19 pandemic changed life as we know it. What began as temporary limitations to restrict the virus's spread turned into a year-long struggle to fight the disease. Health leaders and public officials imposed restrictions that impacted nearly every aspect of life. These restrictions included canceling in-person activities, working from home, completing school online, and losing livelihood through massive unemployment and businesses closing. The Church was not exempt from the impact of COVID-19 either. In many places, in-person gatherings were prohibited or severely limited. Pastors and church leaders learned new skills in providing online worship services and discipleship programs. Likely the most significant impact was the challenge to faith as people wrestled with facing life and death issues due to a microscopic organism. What people needed during this time was the wisdom and experience of a veteran follower of God. Someone who learned how to walk by faith during the most challenging seasons of life. That veteran of faith was David, the shepherd-king of ancient Israel. In Living the Psalms 23 Faith in a COVID-19 World, pastor Michael Black shares a series of messages from Psalms 23 that draw from King David's wisdom. David describes how his faith in God as his Divine Shepherd empowered him to face circumstances just as destructive as the pandemic. Take a journey with David through this familiar Psalm and learn from his wisdom. He will be our mentor-guide, modeling for us what it means to live a Psalms 23 faith even in the most dire circumstances we might face. Michael Black is a semi-retired pastor, teacher, husband, and father of three daughters who are married and grandfather to four grandchildren. His hobbies include writing, walking, woodworking, outdoor activities, and mystery movies. Mike has earned degrees from Indiana Wesleyan Seminary, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, and Asbury Theological Seminary. Mike and his wife Ruth live in Williamston, Michigan. You can contact mike via email at mikeablack@gmail.com.