Midweek Message - Wednesday April 1st
Dear Friends,
How are you managing to cope with 'lockdown', having to spend so much time confined to your own home?
It is a challenging time for everyone and perhaps especially for those with children. I came across this article by Kim Seville, the wife of a pastor currently serving a church in China. They have four young children and live in an apartment on the 25th floor of a high rise building. She reflects on the obvious challenges of that as 'lockdown' was enforced in China, following the outbreak of Coronavirus there, and the help she found in Psalm 57 which was written by David when he was on the run from Saul and found himself in effect in 'lockdown' in a cave (possibly referring to the episode in 1 Samuel 22.1 or 24.3)
The original article appeared on the Gospel Coalition website here Quarantine is hard. God is good. I would encourage you to read Psalm 57 and then read the article
Quarantine is Bad. God is Good
Kim Seville 29th March 2020
During the last week of January, my family and I were
relishing the end of a lovely vacation in Thailand and watching the news
closely. We were considering what to do in light of the coronavirus chaos
unfolding in China, where we currently live. As we prepared to return, though,
I was just as concerned about the quarantine time as I was about the virus
itself.
I did the maths:
(4 very active young kids) + (1,600-square-foot apartment on
the 25th floor of a high-rise building) x 8-plus weeks = potential insanity
Fast forward almost two months and we’re still intact, but
it hasn’t been easy. The question I’ve repeatedly asked is, What does
it look like to depend on God during these uncertain and stressful times?
Medicine from a Cave
Enter Psalm 57, a psalm of David, written in a cave while he is
actively being hunted. I imagine he could relate to feelings of isolation and
fear.
What does it look like for you and me to run to God as our
refuge, to say along with David, “In the shadow of your wings I will take
refuge till the storms of destruction pass by”?
I think it looks like resting in truth
and responding in faith.
1. David rests in the truth of who God
is and what he’s done.
He is merciful (v. 1). For when I just
lost it with my kids (again) and feel like a failure.
He fulfils his purpose for me (v. 2). For
when I can’t do my job and I’m struggling with my worth and identity.
He has sent from heaven and saved me (v. 3). For
when I need to be reminded that I trust in a God who doesn’t just listen to my
cries for mercy, but who entered fully into my pain and who gave his life that
I might live.
His love and faithfulness are steadfast to the heavens
(v. 10). For when everything around me feels uncertain and hard.
God knows, sees, and never changes.
2. David responds in faith, based on who
God is and what he’s done.
He cries out to God with honesty about his feelings
and situation (vv. 4, 6). The danger is real and the temptations
to fear or despair seem ever-present.
He trusts (v. 7). His heart is steadfast
because God is steadfast.
He sings and gives thanks (vv. 8–9). If
he can find things to thank God for from inside a desert cave, we can
too.
He hopes for the future (vv. 8–9). He
looks forward to the time when he will once again gather with God’s people for
worship, and ultimately when the earth will be filled with God’s praise.
The Shadows Will Pass. God Won’t.
Years ago, Amy Carmichael (1867–1951) observed:
I think one of the Devil’s favourite devices is to try to
make us dwell on the hardness of things in general, and to make us feel as if
they would always go on like this. But they will not. They are shadows that
pass.
This “shadow” will pass. So, let’s not lose hope. Let’s
press on, resting in truth and responding in faith, knowing our God always has,
and will, work everything for our good and his glory.
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PS On a different but not unrelated note there are some new prayer points for the current week to be found here
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PS On a different but not unrelated note there are some new prayer points for the current week to be found here
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