God is Indeed our Refuge and Rescue

Beloved of God,

    This has already been quite a week. As we watch numbers of COVID-19 cases rising around the state, and have new restrictions in place by public health order, I have to confess that I’ve found myself pretty deeply frustrated.
    It’s hard to have planned something life-giving at such a hard time only to then turn and question whether it can proceed.
    It’s hard to already feel deep exhaustion and now wonder if we will be headed back into lockdown.
    It’s hard to be charitable to those around us, especially when so much of our politics at the moment is driven by our unwillingness to be charitable in the name of winning an imminent election.

    If you’re feeling a little dragged down today, I get it. But I want to offer a couple of pieces of encouragement.

First, the restrictions that are now in place as a part of the most recent public health order do not supersede the specific instructions given to houses of worship for our weekly services. I am currently seeking more clear advice on other meetings. Even now we can still gather to worship, which is a blessing in itself. There may come weeks ahead where we are asked to further limit services or be restricted to an online service, but it isn’t this week. I’m deeply thankful for that.

Second, the Psalm for today is very brief, but forceful plea for rescue. If you’re feeling worn out or on your heels, spend some time with this today. Read it more than once, or several times throughout the day. Give whatever you are dealing with over to God, and remember that God is indeed our Refuge and Rescue.

Please join me this week in praying for:

• An end to this Pandemic
• Patience and grace as we all deal with the changes and chances it brings
• The students in our community
• The parents of those students
• Those who feel lonely or afraid right now
• Those we know who are dealing with any sort of illness in a complicated moment for medical services and patients
• Doctors, nurses, paramedics and other health professionals and first responders as they work for our common good.
• The two men standing for election to the office of President of the United States
• All those in positions of public trust at the federal, state, and local level
• Moments of peace and sabbath for God’s people, especially now.
• Each other (please email [email protected] if you would like to be added to our prayer list)

You are the salt of the earth; you are the light of the world,

Marshall