Psalm 3
The Lord is a shield about us, and the one who lifts our heads.
This is the Word of the Lord.
We wake up every morning now to find that the numbers of those with Covid 19 around us have increased. The news raises our concerns about the number of hospital beds available, will there be a statewide quarantine back east, will we still be able to get to the grocery store... I don’t think that the press is being particularly helpful in calming our collective fears.
I know 3 people who have had the virus and are recovering! None of them live in Ventura County.
The first is a woman in her late 30’s who caught it from her son who is in preschool. Her two children have had mild versions of the virus, and she has had a little tougher time, but is recovering well. She plans to stay at home for at least 2 more weeks to be sure she is completely recovered. Her husband has not been sick at all.
The couple I know lives back east. They are in their 80’s and contracted the virus from a woman sitting next to them in the waiting room at the eye doctor. She was coughing. Seven days later, both husband and wife came down with the virus. It has been 3 weeks now, and they are far from “normal” but have weathered it well and shared with their Facebook friends.
I wanted to pass these stories along because we know that rumors can make circumstances seem worse than they are. If we compare the numbers to the flu season of 2015, our numbers are very low. 2015 recorded 80,000 deaths in the US from the flu.
The government agencies seem to be handling things well. According to a press release from the White House, 2Johns Hopkins reports that the US was the best-prepared nation to handle the pandemic in the world. Hurray!
We know what the world says. But what does God say?
David is speaking about God from his experience. Long before David had to run from armies of men, he had experience fending off bears and lions while he was a shepherd. He protected his sheep, and we know that he recognized God as the one who protected him. That is what he told the army officers when he begged to confront Goliath. He knew.
Notice that his adversaries in this psalm are telling him, “There is no deliverance for him in God.” Imagine for a minute if you were to tell someone, “God will take care of me in this pandemic.” Christians would agree, most likely. But others might scoff, give a rye smile, try to undermine your faith.
David recognized that God is a shield, the glory about him that lifts his head. His experience told him that when he cried to the Lord, the Lord would answer him.
He could lie down and sleep and be confident that he would wake up because God sustained him.
He refused to be afraid. He said, “Salvation belongs to the Lord”.
Let the truth of that sink in for a moment. Salvation—of any kind— belongs to the Lord. Who else can we count on??
Today take a few minutes to reflect on times when God has saved you— rescued you— pulled you out of the pit.
Make a list of those times. Thank Him for those times.
Maybe even do this together with your spouse, or with a friend on the phone or email.
What was the most significant moment when God saved or rescued you?
Now thank Him for all the times when He rescued you from something you were completely unaware of—when He blessed you with complete ignorance of a danger that passed by unnoticed.
Remember—our Savior neither slumbers or sleeps.
Psalm 3
1 O Lord, how my adversaries have increased!
Many are rising up against me.
2 Many are saying of my soul,
“There is no deliverance for him in God.” Selah.
3 But You, O Lord, are a shield about me,
My glory, and the One who lifts my head.
4 I was crying to the Lord with my voice,
And He answered me from His holy mountain. Selah.
5 I lay down and slept;
I awoke, for the Lord sustains me.
6 I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people
Who have set themselves against me round about.
7 Arise, O Lord; save me, O my God!
For You have smitten all my enemies on the cheek;
You have shattered the teeth of the wicked.
8 Salvation belongs to the Lord;
Your blessing be upon Your people! Selah.
This YouTube version of “A Shield About Me” has a beautiful backdrop. See the Lord in His glory in nature as you listen to the words and think about how it’s true in your life.
Blessings to you today, in Christ,
Cindy
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