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Shelter-in-Place

The past few weeks gave us a rare glimpse inside the ER. Gowns, masks, gloves... it is quite scary and looks more like a movie set than the ER we used to know. Next time, look closely. There have been nurses/doctors inscribing Psalm 91 on their gowns. What's the significance of this? It is a Psalm of protection. Let me highlight a few verses for us to examine:

"For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler
    and from the deadly pestilence." (Psalm 91:3, ESV)

"You will not fear the terror of the night,
    nor the arrow that flies by day,
nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness,
    nor the destruction that wastes at noonday." (Psalm 91:5-6, ESV)

"Because you have made the Lord your dwelling place—
    the Most High, who is my refuge—
10 no evil shall be allowed to befall you,
    no plague come near your tent." (Psalm 91:9-10, ESV)

This sounds like a great promise! It is reassuring in knowing that God is able to save His people from all this. However, I caution us to fully grasp the intent of the passage. It is a danger to assume that it is a magical spell that repels a virus. 
  1. Conditional. Yes, there is a divine protection from God towards His people, but it applies to the only to the ones who:

    - "dwells in the shelter of the Most High"
    - "abide in the shadow of the Almighty"
    - the ones who trust in God
    - made the LORD their dwelling place
    - holds fast to God in love
    - knows God's name
    - calls upon God

  2. Self-Check. There are infographs out there that are designed to help us figure out if we have been infected. "Are you experiencing these symptoms?" these posts ask. The Word of God needs to function in the same way. Let me ask you then:
                   Where is your dwelling place? Where is your refuge?  If the statistics out there are correct, many of us have made the couch our dwelling place and refuge. We spend time binge-watching a show because it helps take our minds off of the constant bombardment of news. How are you comforting yourself when the death count around you keeps rising?
     
  3. Shelter. The protection of God is not just from "sheltering in place," but sheltering in His Palace. King David often found comfort there and pens these lyrics:

    For a day in your courts is better
    than a thousand elsewhere.
    I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
    than dwell in the tents of wickedness. (Psalm 84:10)
    King David plopped himself down in God's living room when his enemies surrounded him. He binged on reading God's laws. He effectively sheltered in God's palace.

  4. The Challenge. Instead of just social-isolation, what are some ways we can practice spiritual-formation?  Challenge yourself, your parents, your kids, your friends. Pick a one (or more) of the activities:

    - No cellphone for a day
    - No social media for a day
    - No Netflix/Hulu/TV for a day
    - No reading the news for a day

    But remember, it's not just about isolating, but intentional sheltering in God's presence. So instead of spending an hour in front of the TV, here's how long it takes to read some of the books of the Bible:

Comments

  1. Thank you so much for this devotion! Love this graph break down the time we need to read some of the books of the Bible. Thank you

    ReplyDelete
  2. It's interesting that the most beefy book is not listed: Job and Isaiah! They definitively take a lot more time and attention to go through them but most worthwhile. David T.

    ReplyDelete

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