Corona Devo 5

What day is it?  
It is a wild feeling when all of them feel the same...because our normal "markers" are not there--school morning alarms, event meetings, after school practices, church events.  
But this "same" is like no other "same" that we've ever experienced.  Infact, I have sensed a bit of sadness or even depression in us, as the days melt slowly from one into the other.  With the limiting of outside contact, our homes (and the people in them) can drive us a little stir-crazy.  Plus, I keep "checking" myself for any symptoms of sickness.  (Do I have a fever?)
The news on TV and in print is both mesmerizing and suffocating.  It's all the same stuff, but it weighs us down and it can seem like our walls are literally closing in on us.

But there is a breath of hope.  And actually, it's more like mouth-to-mouth resusscitation.  God breathes life and protection back into the areas of us that are slowly sliding into sad spots.  
Have you begun to wonder if we will be okay?  God says that we will, and that He will see to it.
Breathe easier.  Breathe deeply and inhale God's promises for you today:
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Psalm 91

¹ Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

² This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him.

³ For he will rescue you from every trap and protect you from deadly disease.

⁴ He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings.  His faithful promises are your armor and protection.
⁵ Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night, nor the arrow that flies in the day.
⁶ Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness, nor the disaster that strikes at midday.

¹⁴ The Lord says, “I will rescue those who love me.  I will protect those who trust in my name.
¹⁵ When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble.  I will rescue and honor them.
¹⁶ I will reward them with a long life and give them my salvation.”

Just reading these verses gives my spirit and heart comfort.  Right about now, we need a lift, and God's word provides it to us.
¹ Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty ~Psalm 91:1
If you are wondering--that's you and me!  WE live in the "shelter of the Most High" if we know and love Jesus.  Even just that phrase and imagining ourselves a part of it, helps me breathe a sigh of relief in the midst of the tension that has built up around me and inside me due to the Corona virus.
But there is more...will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. ~Psalm 91:1
We can find our rest from the stress, the non-stop conversations and questions, the complete lack of routine--we can find rest from all of that in the shadow of the Almighty.  How?  I think one way is through reading His Word.  I feel it right now.  As I chew on His verses and spend time with God in His word, I feel the tension leave my body, and it is like He is covering us in His shadow from all of the outside stuff that has been attacking us.

This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him. ~Psalm 90:2
I am requesting audience participation on this verse.  Say it outloud.  Or at least read it to yourself as if you mean it for yourself.
Declare these truths to yourself about God.  He alone is my refuge.  Refuge means our shelter/protection/safety from danger or trouble.  That is JUST what our hearts and minds need to battle the Corona culture that is all around us.  God reminds us that he is my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him. 

³ For he will rescue you from every trap and protect you from deadly disease.

⁴ He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings.  His faithful promises are your armor and protection.  ~Psalm 90:3-4
What?!  For anyone who doubts that God's word is relevant, or that He doesn't know what is on our minds--He hits the nail on the head with these verses.
We are waking up in fear of a deadly disease these days.  And beyond that, other ramifications from that disease are completely stressing us out.  Will stores close?  Will we run out of supplies?
But I feel like the Lord calms our hearts with these words.  He will protect us.  He sees the fear in our eyes and the burdens on our hearts, and he also nurtures us and soothes us, like we might soothe a child who is crying.  "It will be okay, I am right here."  He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings.  

His faithful promises are your armor and protection.  ~Psalm 90:3
God's word can be trusted.  It is Truth.  In a world where most truths have become relative, God's Word does not waiver or vary, and we can stand behind it.  When He says that we can find rest in His shadow and that he will rescue and protect us--we can hold up these Truths as armor.

I also want to caution that God is not a cosmic Santa Claus or Genie.  As any believer will tell you, the Way is not always easy, or without hardship.  But if we honestly seek Christ, He meets us, and helps us navigate through everything we face.  His definition of "Protection" may look different than ours, but He is God, and we are us.  He tells us plainly: "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways" declares the Lord.  ~Isaiah 55:8  

⁵ Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night, nor the arrow that flies in the day.
⁶ Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness, nor the disaster that strikes at midday.  ~Psalm 91:5-6

Right now, we are living through challenging days and (for some) long, worrisome nights.  But the Lord urges us not to be afraid of our thoughts and fears at night or of ther "arrows" that fly during the day.  The latest infection-count or it's proximity to us.  What other countries are doing, or are not doing.  God clearly tells us here in His word not to freak out or to dread the disease that stalks in darkness.  Instead He reassures us of His presence, his love, His protection.  Please do not miss His continuing theme:  He is with us!

The Lord says, “I will rescue those who love me.  I will protect those who trust in my name.
¹⁵ When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble.  I will rescue and honor them.
¹⁶ I will reward them with a long life and give them my salvation.”  ~Psalm 91:14-16

Let these verses sink in.  It's not a coincidence we are reading them today.  God is talking directly to us, and to our fears, isolation, worries, and sadness.  He reminds us that He answers when we call and that He's with us right now when we feel we are in trouble.

And God always goes the extra mile for us.  He is not only with us, but He will rescue and honor them.  ¹⁶ I will reward them with a long life and give them my salvation. ~Psalm 90:15-16

We don't deserve all that (well--I don't), but that's the kind of (Heavenly) Father that He is.  He spoils us.  He won't just rescue us from this current mood/situation/epidemic, but he will also honor us.  The Creator of the world will honor us?  He will reward us with a long life and His salvation?  Yep.

He has crazy love for us.  

If that doesn't bring a spring to your step today, I am not sure what could.  

Tuck under God's wing today, and know that He is with you!

Blessings,

sarah