Tuesday, March 24, 2020

Unprecedented Times


In the midst of precautions and fears against COVID-19 and reports of terrible suffering of those who are in places where medical supplies are in shortage, my husband and I have been able to shelter in place.  Daily we offer prayers for family members who must continue to be out and about.

I have felt strongly that the Lord's instruction to us is to stay under His canopy of protection.  This will mean something different for each individual; for us oldsters it means we need to stay out of the way, stay sheltered in place, and don't burden an already stressed medical system further because we couldn't do without creamer for our coffee or some such thing, so that we go out unnecessarily. There are good lessons to be learned during this time for people like me, who have never known rationing or want.

For others, like my son, son-in-law, and daughter-in-law, this means being much in prayer as they go out into the world to do jobs that must be done.  "The Lord your God will be with you wherever you go..."  (Joshua 1:9).

All of us need to be aware that the Lord is with us in this unprecedented time, and that He is drawing our attention to Himself through it.  In my daily Bible reading plan I just happened to come to Numbers 16 this morning, and read these words:  "The plague had already started among the people, but Aaron offered incense and made atonement for them.  He stood between the living and the dead, and the plague stopped. But 14,700 people died from the plague..." (Numbers 16:47).

I consulted Matthew Henry's concise commentary on these verses:
"There is an infection of sin in the world, which only the cross and intercession of Jesus Christ can stay and remove. He enters the defiled and dying camp. He stands between the dead and the living; between the eternal Judge and the souls under condemnation. We must have redemption through His blood, even the remission of sins. We admire the ready devotion of Aaron: shall we not bless and praise the unspeakable grace and love which filled the Saviour’s heart, when he placed himself in our stead, and bought us with his life? Greatly indeed hath God commended his love towards us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us, Romans 5:8" (Matthew Henry Concise, on Numbers 16).  
Each of us needs to turn to the Lord during this time, with hearts open to His correction and love, looking to Jesus, claiming the precious Blood,  pleading with Him to intercede for us, confessing as is needed, and praying earnestly for those who are suffering.  Lord let this time draw us closer to You.  We look to You.  Please shorten the duration of this pandemic, and turn our hearts to You.

Thursday, March 19, 2020

Saturday, March 14, 2020

A Blessing for God's People


From Numbers, chapter 6, here is the blessing the priests were to pronounce over the Israelites.  We are God's people, and through Jesus Christ, by the power of the Holy Spirit and the love of Father God, this blessing holds for us. 

Wednesday, March 11, 2020

Keep Trying


The photo above shows my grandson, Logan, age 7.  Logan is a determined little guy.  On the day this photo was taken, he had decided to leap the ten foot span between two big bales of hay. 

He didn't make it.  He tried several times, and utilized different methods, but crashed just short of his goal each time.  Winded, he circled the bale pile and then said, "I've figured out I can't do it with these mud boots on.  I can't get traction.  I'll come back when I have my sneakers." 

I admire Logan.  He kept trying, ascertained he wasn't going to make it on this particular day, and developed a plan for renewed efforts another time.  I have no doubt that he will achieve his goal; that's the kind of guy he is. 

No matter where we find ourselves in a caregiving journey, discouragement is a pitfall, and there were certainly times during my 16 year long assignment of caring for my Alzheimer's mom that I wanted to quit trying.  The struggles haven't stopped for me even though Mom has gone home to Jesus; depression threatens and motivation to take tentative steps in a new direction is lacking, but I am trying.  Every morning I pray, "Just show me the next thing to do, Lord."  And He does.  Sometimes I don't want to do what He asks, and sometimes I'd rather not try, and fail, and have to try again. 

Praise God that His mercies are new every morning. Maybe I just need a new pair of sneakers! 

Lord please renew and strengthen us as we move forward on the path You've provided.  Grant us the will and courage to keep on trying! 

~~~

For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared...
Ephesians 6:15 NLT