I clearly remember laying in bed and unloading on Josh many of the questions surrounding my mom’s death. I wasn’t expecting him to give me answers and fix anything, but unloading was helpful for me. His reply was sympathetic and caring, while at the same time clear and sure—“These are God’s things, Kristy.” The things I didn’t know and wanted to know could not be known by me. Would I be able to accept that?
I have also asked lots of questions surrounding this Covid-19 global pandemic. Why did this happen just as my kids and I hung up our homeschool hats? Did China know what was happening? Would they have willingly let this out to harm the world? Can the government be trusted to tell the truth? Is this as serious as they make it out to be? Should we wear masks when we go out? What will the economic downfall be? Will Covid-19 come back in the fall and even worse? What if Josh gets it? What if I get it? Will we go to church in a large group any time this summer? And more and more and more and more…..and mostly with no answers except “These are God’s things, Kristy.” I don’t need to have any answers to all of the questions.
I see a spiritual illustration being lived out every single day of these of less than desirable circumstances. The world is broken. This is no place to find stability or a strong, predictable foundation. I hope many will see the vanity in trying to do such a thing. And boy are lots of people trying. “Just stay home!” How long, though? There will still be cancer and heart attacks and strokes or a brain aneurysm. None of those things are going away and can find you “safely” in your home under our “Shelter at Home” order. There will still be car accidents, freak accidents, and plane crashes. Death is real. No one is guaranteed a long, safe, healthy life on this earth. BUT for those who believe in Jesus—who have recognized that their sin separates them from God and who have turned to Jesus for salvation, these people will live forever in heaven. And heaven is a perfect place with no more death, no more tears, no more heartbreak, no more social distancing. It will be amazing. We can’t live in fear. We can’t sit in our houses and have our groceries delivered forever. For a while? Sure. For a season to help our health care system keep up with the sick people that need them? Absolutely. But in all of our efforts, there has to be a resting in God as sovereign and omnipotent.
So though most of the time I end my questions with my own answer, “I don’t know,” what I do know is that God knows. And I also know that during this “Shelter in Place” order, I have had plenty of time to think about God as my true shelter. He is a peaceful place to find rest. He is the answer to the root of most of those questions I just asked—that root being fear of the unknown, anxieties about the future.
Psalm 91:1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
Psalm 11:1 In the Lord I have taken shelter.
Psalm 18:2 The Lord is my high ridge, my stronghold, my deliverer. My God is my rocky summit where I take shelter, my shield, the horn that saves me, and my refuge.
Psalm 18:30 The one true God acts in a faithful manner; the Lord’s promise is reliable; he is a shield to all who take shelter in him.
Psalm 27:5 For He will conceal me in His shelter in the day of adversity;He will hide me under the cover of His tent;He will set me high on a rock.
Psalm 31:19 How great is your favor, which you store up for your loyal followers! In plain sight of everyone you bestow it on those who take shelter in you.
Psalm 31:20 You hide them in the protection of Your presence;You conceal them in a shelter from the schemes of men,from quarrelsome tongues.
Psalm 34:8 Taste and see that the Lord is good! How blessed is the one who takes shelter in him!
Psalm 36:7 How precious is your loyal love, O God! The human race finds shelter under your wings.
Psalm 62:8 Trust in him at all times, you people! Pour out your hearts before him! God is our shelter!
Psalm 64:10 The godly will rejoice in the Lord and take shelter in him. All the morally upright will boast.
Psalm 73:28 But as for me, God’s presence is all I need. I have made the sovereign Lord my shelter, as I declare all the things you have done.
Psalm 118:8 It is better to take shelter in the LORD than to trust in people.
Psalm 119:114 You are my shelter and my shield;I put my hope in Your word.
