A funky yet well-calculated political joke
... and also a meditation on my need for the protective presence of God.
The Pun
The Prayer
Sometimes when I feel unsafe,
Sometimes when I feel uncertain,
Sometimes when I feel there must be something better than this, I consider asking God to take me to a safe place, to a predictable situation, or to a greener pasture.
But then I remember Moses, Ruth, and Peter.
After the golden calf,
After the deathly consequences of that sin,
After Moses pleads for God to forgive the people, God still offers the promised land. He offers a protective angel guide to that promised land. And He offers them the milk and the honey therein. But there is one catch: He will not go with them. Moses's response?
“If your presence will not go with me, do not bring us up from here." (Exodus 33:15)"
What is the point of the promised land if God is not a part of it?
After losing her husband,
After being encouraged to return to her gods,
After a reminder of how little prospect there will be of finding a husband in Israel, Ruth responds:
“Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God.” (Ruth 1:16)
What is the point of going home if the LORD isn't there?
After hearing a difficult teaching that he himself probably didn't understand.
After seeing multitudes leave, disavowing any devotion to the Rabbi.
After Jesus Himself brought up the question of whether he would continue to follow, Peter responded:
“Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” (John 6:68)
What is the point of finding safety in numbers if the life-giving utterances of The Word are forsaken?
Heaven, home, and happiness without the Lord are absurdities to the disciple clinging to Christ. God is not a guide to chauffer us off to some safe place. He IS our safe place.
God IS our shelter.
God IS our refuge.
God IS our fortress.
God IS our shield.
God IS our dwelling place. (Psalm 91:1-2, 4, 9)
When I feel unsafe,
When I feel uncertain,
When I feel there must be something better than this,
I know I need more than a solution;
I need a Savior.