QUARANTINE BLOG # 146

August 23, 2020

Today’s devotion is from Rev. Linda Birchall, pastor of Marvin United Methodist Church.


(I took this photo in May of 2019 from Miradouro da Senhora do Monte in Lisbon, Portugal.  Overlooking the city of Lisbon and the Tagus River, it is a wonderful vantage point from which to see the city and to marvel at the beauty of the hills and river that surround it.  This always reminds me that even in the midst of this teeming city, even in the midst of our teeming chaos, God is here. God’s strength and refuge are always here.)

Psalm 46:1-7
1 God is our refuge and strength,
   a very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change,
   though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea;
3 though its waters roar and foam,
   though the mountains tremble with its tumult.
          Selah
4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
   the holy habitation of the Most High.
5 God is in the midst of the city; it shall not be moved;
   God will help it when the morning dawns.
6 The nations are in an uproar, the kingdoms totter;
   he utters his voice, the earth melts.
7 The Lord of hosts is with us;
   the God of Jacob is our refuge.

This is the word of God for God’s people.

I keep hearing people say things like: 

I can’t concentrate on anything. 
I’m not motivated. 
Who ARE all these people baking and clearing our closets? 
Why am I gaining weight? 
I’m tottering on the brink of losing it.
Everything seems to be in an uproar!

Or…wait a second…is that ME saying all those things?  Yes and yes.  I’ve heard others say them, and more, and so have I.  And that’s when it’s so important to remember to turn to God. 

As the Psalmist says, God is in the midst of the city, in the midst of the uproar and the tottering, in all of the chaos and the strife.  God is with us.  God is our strength and our refuge.  We just have to remember that.

I read a suggestion this week that, when we feel overwhelmed or despondent, just start thinking of what we have accomplished today – even the smallest things:  I walked to the mailbox; I loaded the dishwasher; or I made up my bed.  Soon, those little things start to add up.  Then we can think of something we enjoyed today:  my shower felt so good this morning; or that was a good article I read and I liked it; or that sweet bird outside my window was chirping a friendly song.  Those things, too, then start to add up.  And for each of these things, we can look to see God’s presence in them.

I think sometimes we need to look at the small stuff!  Our days are made up of all sorts of moments and events of small stuff.  And it all counts.  It counts towards making our days and our lives.  If we can see God in the small stuff, we will soon see God in the big stuff.  Then we will remember: The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.  Amen.

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