Devotional Messages

DEVOTIONAL MESSAGE
It was 4 years ago today that we had our last worship service in the Sanctuary before going remote for the next year and 3 months.  This devotional message from the Friday before, when our schools announced they were going remote, still provides good wisdom for how we relate to the world.

Psalm 91:1-2 – You who live in the shelter of the Most High, who abide in the shadow of the Almighty, will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress; my God, in whom I trust.”  (NRSV)

There is a lot of anxiety in our world right now.  Things were already pretty much a mess, and now a potential global pandemic has landed on top of everything.  We are seeing these things unfold as they so often do: those without scruples are spreading misinformation and trying to make money off the situation; our leaders are struggling to keep up and frequently failing; and those who were already the most vulnerable are now at even more risk.

What do we do in the face of all that, as followers of Jesus, whose scriptures’ most common refrain is “Fear not!”?  Is the Bible telling us to ignore the warning signs all around us?  Probably not.  Psalm 91 is one of the scripture passages the devil quoted to Jesus when it was trying to tempt him in the wilderness.  Satan dared Jesus to throw himself down from the top of the temple, because Psalm 91 promised him that God wouldn’t let him get hurt.  Jesus, having none of that nonsense, replied, “Again it is written, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”

This story hints at the idea that security can become a temptation or idol for us.  But it also cautions us against reckless behavior.  You know much of the rest of this psalm because we sing it in worship as “On Eagles’ Wings”.  It assures us that God is taking care of us.  But Jesus also teaches us to be “wise as serpents and innocent as doves.”  We can gain courage by shrewdly weighing the information we receive and following the good instruction that is shared, without amplifying the sensationalism.

As in any situation, we can always benefit by slowing down to breathe.  Take a moment, when you’re feeling anxious, to remind yourself of the goodness and love of God.  Take a breath to bring that Spirit of compassion, for yourself and for others, back into your body.  We are not on our own.  We are held in the everlasting arms of God.