Sheltering in the Midst of COVID
Last year, as the COVID-19 pandemic swept the globe, bringing anxiety and fear as we faced an unknown virus with yet-to-be-determined health consequences, God spoke clearly into my heart, “Shelter in ME.”
As I continued to listen, I heard Him say, “Do NOT shelter in fear or in anger, but shelter in My presence and My heart for it is My presence that contains My power which goes before you and overcomes the darkness. Does fear advance My kingdom? Does anger? Division? Is this how My people overtook Jericho? NO! I sent them to conquer Jericho not with weapons but with instruments of worship for it is My glory, found in My presence, that brings victory. So go forth, not in fear or anger. Do not look at each other in critical judgement. Look at ME, for I am your peace, I am your refuge, and I am your victory. When you choose to worship Me in the midst of a challenge, you are inviting Me into your situation. You have the keys and the choice, for I have given them to you. You have the choice to invite Me into your situation to reign in it or allow your situation to rule over you. For I inhabit the praises of My people, and when their praises arise to Me, it is a sweet-smelling aroma that draws Me, and My glory, to them. I will say it again, ‘Do not shelter in fear or anger’ as this gives power to fear and power to anger which does not align with My heart or My plans. In order to advance My kingdom, you need to align your hearts and minds with Mine. Choose My presence, choose My heart, and walk in the victory that My glory brings. Go forth in praise, worship, and My power.”
I have to say, as someone who works in long term care, this was a tall order, but it was a much-needed one. This word from the Lord is one that I have stood on, and sometimes barely clung to, this entire season. Every time I wanted to cower in the face of fear or lash out in frustration or anger, I remembered the heart of my Father. A heart of love for ALL humanity with plans so intricate I cannot begin to comprehend them. I have CHOSEN peace, a peace that blows my mind, a peace to which I have surrendered my understanding. I have chosen to give up my “right” to understand the goings-on in exchange for complete surrender to His will, trusting that as I follow His guidance for each moment and each step, that I am firmly in the center of His will for my life right now. I have gone back to basic, timeless truths. My God is a God of kindness, love, and grace, and no matter what, I can trust Him.
On a practical side, this has meant that I have dug into the written Word of God, the Bible more than ever during this season. I have clung to His Truth. I have spent more time in prayer and meditating on Scripture. And, at moments when I was too emotional to really quiet myself and focus on reading and prayer, I began singing. Sometimes I’d stream worship music and other times I spent the evening at the keyboard. During this season, He gave me a song based upon this prophetic word which I oftentimes relied on to keep myself in alignment with Him. Now, I have to be honest, it didn’t always sound pretty. Sometimes my voice would crack and at other times all I could manage was a whisper as tears rolled down my cheeks while COVID-19 hit area. But I was determined that NO MATTER WHAT, my mind and heart would be on Him; I was going to shelter in Him. It may not always be easy; sometimes we may need to contend for the habitat of our heart, but we CAN shelter in God in every season of our lives.
Psalm 22:3 But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.
Psalm 91:1-4 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.