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And verses reminding us to put our trust in God, and that God will protect us. And these verses came from the Old Testament, the New Testament and the Final Testament (the Quran). Thank You God for the reminders.
[Exodus 15:26] He said, “If you listen carefully to the Lord your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, who heals you.”
[Psalm 56:9-10] When I pray, Lord God, my enemies will retreat, because I know for certain that you are with me. I praise your promises!
[Psalm 91:1-12] You who dwell in the shelter of the Most High, who abide in the shadow of the Almighty,
Say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust.”
For He will rescue you from the snare of the fowler, from the destroying pestilence.
With His pinions He will cover you, under His wings you shall take refuge; His faithfulness is a buckler and a shield.
You shall not fear the terror of the night, and the arrow that flies by day;
You shall not fear the pestilence that roams in darkness, nor the devastating plague at noon.
Though a thousand fall at your side, ten thousand at your right side, near you it shall not come.
Rather with your eyes shall you behold and see the requital of the wicked,
Because you have the Lord for your refuge; you have made the Most High your stronghold,
No evil shall befall you, nor shall affliction come near your tent.
For to His angels He has given command about you, that they guard you in all your ways.
Upon their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone.
[1 John 4:18] Where God’s love is, there is no fear, because God’s perfect love drives out fear.
[1 Peter 5:7] Leave all your worries with Him, because He cares for you.
[3:173] When the people say to them, “People have mobilized against you; you should fear them,” this only strengthens their faith and they say, “GOD suffices us; He is the best Protector.”
[10:61] You do not get into any situation, nor do you recite any Quran, nor do you do anything, without us being witnesses thereof as you do it. Not even an atom’s weight is out of your Lord’s control, be it in the heavens or the earth. Nor is there anything smaller than an atom, or larger, that is not recorded in a profound record.
Happiness: Now and Forever*
[10:62] Absolutely, GOD’s allies have nothing to fear, nor will they grieve.
[10:63] They are those who believe and lead a righteous life.
[10:64] For them, joy and happiness in this world, as well as in the Hereafter. This is GOD’s unchangeable law. Such is the greatest triumph.
*10:62-64 Most people think that they have to wait until the Day of Resurrection before they receive their rewards for righteousness, or the retribution for wickedness. But the Quran repeatedly assures the believers that they are guaranteed perfect happiness here in this world, now and forever. At the end of their interim here, they go directly to Paradise (see Appendix 17).
[86:4] Absolutely, everyone is well guarded.
It’s very reassuring that God promises protection for Submitters. Thank You God. It helps us breathe easier during the day and sleep better at night.
But the story doesn’t end there. There’s work to be done. Submission to God is an ongoing process. We have to devote our life and worship absolutely to God alone each day (6:162).
We don’t want to take things for granted because we all sin and make mistakes. Satan will try to make us forget God or tempt us into thinking we are already saved
(may God protect us from that). Or make us proud of God’s blessings upon us, whether of provisions, good health or happiness. And God does not like those who are boastful, proud (57:20-23). God willing, we remind ourselves that anything good in our lives is from God. And we thank Him.
To summarize, like tests in school, the tests for our souls show us our scores based on our responses. So, if we were to grade our own response to the COVID19 test, what score would we give ourselves? Are we thinking of the virus most of the day? Or are we remembering God most of the day (4:103, 7:205)? Are we being appreciative of His blessings and continued protection (2:152)? Each of us has to examine ourselves.
If we’re not doing so well, what is the cure? It seems simple. Worship God alone! And we should keep praying and thinking of God as much as we can. It’s what we should do year-round. But anything that happens should give us yet another reason to think of God and pray to God and thank God.
May God help us to work hard, lead a righteous life, be steadfast, and remember Him frequently. Some days may be harder. But let us try our best and implore Him for help knowing that God is running everything.
[1:5] You alone we worship; You alone we ask for help.
[2:45] You shall seek help through steadfastness and the Contact Prayers (Salat). This is difficult indeed, but not so for the reverent,
[11:11] As for those who steadfastly persevere, and lead a righteous life, they deserve forgiveness and a generous recompense.
[33:41] O you who believe, you shall remember GOD frequently.*
[33:42] You shall glorify Him day and night.
*33:41-42 Your god is whatever occupies your thoughts most of the time. Hence the commandment to commemorate God and glorify Him day and night. See Appendix 27.