Psalm 91:1  He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

 

I was in Costco this week to get some medications.  I went later in the afternoon because I hate standing in lines and I figured that the toilet paper rush would be over.  I had no trouble finding a parking place, and I noticed as I entered that the check out lines were long but manageable. I was going to the pharmacy anyway and hoped that line would be shorter.  I noticed that the aisles were all well stocked with food. The line at the pharmacy was longer than normal, so I made my way to the back, which went down the “potato chip” aisle. This was a bad temptation for me as I noticed  monster size bags of Nacho Cheese Doritos for only $3.49. They seemed to be calling my name. but I quickly controlled myself realizing how stupid I would look standing in a long line for one bag of Doritos!  

 

As I was pulling my eyes away for the chips, I noticed a little bird hopping about further down the aisle. I had seen birds in the Costco warehouse before. They must get in through the loading docks or even the front doors that are constantly left open.  I wondered how long they hunted around before they found their way back outside. I thought about what it would be like for that bird to have it's normal life totally upended. Think about it. Instead of a beautiful blue sky and warm shine of sunlight to fly up as high as he wanted, he was stopped by a cold metal roof.  Instead of nice soft earth and grass to peck up a few worms when he was hungry, he walked on hard, unforgiving concrete. No breeze blew softly to help his flight. He was trapped in foreign world that he was totally unfamiliar with. This was his “new normal” and what should he do? Was he afraid? I didn't notice any birds congregated at the electronics section of the store starring at the televisions to get the latest update on the coronavirus.  None of them had shopping carts crammed with toilet paper. No, this little guy was just calmly going about his business hopping across the aisle from pallet to pallet of chips and popcorn looking for some little munchie left on the floor. He seemed totally unperturbed by the chaotic scene around him.

 

I was jostled from my thoughts, by a man in line in front of me who was telling the crowd that he had come by Costco at 7:30 AM to get gas and there was a line already formed to get into the store when it opened at 10 AM. Then a lady began complaining about the difficulty of our “new normal”.   I looked back up the aisle, but the bird was gone.

 

I had been preparing a sermon on Psalm 91 this week. And since our normal environment of fellowship and worship in our church has been replaced by self isolation. What should we do?  Just stare at the TV all day and become more fearful as the stats or those infected and those who died continued to climb? Instead, like the little bird in Costco, let's go about our business serving God as best we can.  Here is what I notice in Psalm 91 that will help us do that.

 

The Lord has a hiding place for you.  God makes himself responsible for those who trust him.  God uses four titles of himself to show how much he cares for you

 

“Most high” --El-Elyon. God is our Protection.  Abraham used this designation of God in Gen 15 when he offered up tithes to Melchizedek after God delivered Lot and the people of Sodom.  God is the “possessor of heaven and earth” The Lord has control of this earth and he can deliver you!

 

“The Almighty”--El Shaddai  God is our Provision. In Genesis 17 God told Abraham that He would fulfill His promise of a son because he was “the Almighty God” God will keep his promises to you.  He will always provide what you need. Just as he does for the birds (Matt. 6:26-34).

 

“The LORD”--Jehovah   God is our Person. Jehovah told Moses that he was the self-existent one.  I AM THAT I AM (Exodus 3:14) was all Moses needed to lead the children of Israel.  God is the eternal, unchangeable one. He is not taken by surprise by the problems we face.  He is our protector. He will lead us through this trial.

 

“My God”--Elohim  God is our Power.   'In the beginning God (Elohim) created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1) Elohim is in the plural form.  It means God is 3 persons, but one essence. The trinity. Father, Son , and Holy Spirit. He is a majestic plurality.  Jesus said in John 10, that no one could grab us out of His hand and the Fathers hand. We are sealed unto God by the Holy Spirit (Eph. 1:13-14).  God brings all the might and power of His person to bear upon my needs and my fears. All real power belongs to the Lord and I belong to him and I am kept by His power.

 

The shadow of the Almighty is a great place to hide.  I have God's Protection, Provision, Person, and Power.  God is going to take care of me, just as he takes care of the birds.

 

Lord, Help me to trust in you today.  Be my help when I am fearful. May I come to abide in your presence. Lord protect us under the shadow of your wings until the danger is gone.  In Jesus Name, Amen  

          

I have a suggestion:  Print out Psalm 91:1-2 and circle the names of God and post somewhere in house where you can see it each day this week.

 

Grace,

Pastor Mark Zahn