After nearly a month on house arrest/stay at home order here in Michigan, I am ready for some good news, something positive. I need some hope. You too are part of the COVID-19 impact on your ministry, your church, your favorite restaurant, etc. There are no haircuts, we can’t get our lawns mowed. 22 million people have applied for unemployment the past 4 weeks. So, God where are you, are you hearing our prayers for safety and deliverance from this unseen foe? Then He showed me a word of encouragement from His Word.
There is hope! There are 8 words, concepts that the Psalmist mentions in this unique passage of scripture: Shelter, Refuge, Fortress, Strength, Shield, Deliverer, Rescuer, Protector. Those words seem to be counter-cultural amid the pandemic. While the media is feasting on bad news, we can find hope, peace, and rest in the shadow of the Almighty. Why? Because of Psalm 91 and hundreds of other passages.
I love reading this passage from The Message: “You who sit down in the High God’s presence, spend the night in Shaddai’s shadow, say this; “God you are my refuge. I trust in you and I’m safe!” That’s right, He rescues you from hidden traps and shields you from deadly hazards. His huge outstretched arms protect you, under them you are perfectly safe; His arms fend off all harm. Fear nothing, not wild wolves in the night, not flying arrows in the day, nor disease that prowls through the darkness, nor disaster the erupts at high noon.”
God is truly my refuse and my strength. Some people are experiencing anxious moments about pay checks and mortgage payments, nut who is really in charge? Is it the Federal Government, State Mandates, Local and Regional Authorities, or is it Jehovah God? The paraphrase from Eugene Peterson in The Message goes on to say:
“Yes, because God’s your refuge, evil can’t get close to you, harm can’t get through the door. He ordered his angels to guard you wherever you go. If you stumble, they will catch you. Their job is to keep you from falling. If you’ll hold onto me for dear life, says God, I ‘ll get you out of trouble. I’ll give you the best of care, if you’ll only get to know me and trust me. Call me and I’ll answer, be at your side in bad times. I’ll rescue you, then throw a party. I’ll give you a long life, give you a long drink of salvation.”
The reality of life:
I am honoring the stay at home order, I am washing my hands, I am wearing a mask when I am at the grocery store. Careless behavior is not condoned by God and neither is the misuse of Scripture. Even during the tough times, we are all living under God’s protection and the comfort of his presence. All of us can rest in the shadow of the Almighty! He is a covering for His people. God’s comfort is a wing of security amidst this world’s uncertainty and suffering. Here is my thought for the day, and through the rest of this time: Make each day a Psalm 91 day.
Say to your friends, your colleagues, your neighbors from 6 feet away, “Hey, have a Psalm 91 day!”
