April 14, 2020
Psalm 16:1-6 … “Protect me, O God, for in you I take refuge.” vs. 1
There have been some religious folks, from a variety of backgrounds, who have claimed that, since God is their refuge and strength, there is no need in this pandemic to follow regulations on the size of crowds or physical distancing. Their leaders have encouraged them to continue to come together in large numbers and trust that God will protect them. Naturally they refer to Scripture passages like this one in making their pronouncements. The problem with their reasoning is that, while God does give protection, God does not give immunity. Many people who daily claim God as their refuge will in fact become infected–that’s just how disease works. Fortunately, God has also given to humans the smarts to figure out ways to deal with plagues, and by God’s grace we do have formulas for avoiding contagion, and we’re fools if we don’t follow them. The umbrella of God’s care is greater than we can even imagine, and all things are included. Even death itself cannot rob us of the sustaining love of God; in fact there is nothing in all creation, certainly no plague or disease, that can separate us from God’s love! As we lean back into that caring love at times like this, we find comfort in our anxiety and freedom from fear; we even find hope for the future. But we won’t find permission to do dumb things!
Thought for the Day: What’s the difference between paranoia and prudence?
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