Thursday 2nd April | Luke Porter
Readings
Reflection
The common theme that seemed to stand out to me in today’s readings is the idea of being an unshaken people.
The current situation we’re facing with this pandemic is undoubtedly scary and uncertain for many of us. The coronavirus has had far-reaching consequences that I don’t think anyone could have predicted only a few weeks ago. It has shaken society to its core. And yet amidst all of this, the Church, God’s people, are called to be unshaken.
In Psalm 125 the psalmist says that ‘those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken’ (verse 1). And it goes on to say ‘the Lord surrounds his people both now and forevermore’ (verse 2). We, as God’s people, have an opportunity to be a non-anxious, unshaken presence at this time when many are scared. Not because we are better than everyone else, but because God is. He holds the peace and the power. We are only unshaken because he surrounds us and fills us with His Holy Spirit, now and forevermore.
Moses, in our reading from Exodus 9, is an amazing example of an unshaken follower of God. He is faithfully trying to release his people from the oppression of Egypt, yet time after time, plague after plague, Pharaoh breaks his promise and will not release them. And still Moses does not give up. He is not shaken. He continues to listen to the Lord and serve faithfully until God’s plans come to pass.
Hebrews 12 explains that God’s voice will shake the heavens and the earth, and only ‘what cannot be shaken may remain’ (verse 27). This coronavirus, along with every other bad, evil, impure, painful thing that has and will ever exist will eventually be shaken and stripped away by the mighty voice of God. And those who trust in the Lord will remain, entering into a perfect, eternal kingdom with Him.
So may we use this opportunity, as many of us find more time on our hands, to explore new depths in our relationship with the Lord. The writer in Hebrews 12:14 urges us to ‘make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.’ May we take this time to learn what it means to be holy, and as a result would that allow others to see the Lord through us. Would we let Him shake away the things in our life that are not from Him, and would we trust and pray that He has the power and authority to shake away this virus.
Prayers
Lord God, would you help me to be a non-anxious, unshaken presence to those around me. In my conversations and interactions with others, would you help me to speak hope, not fear. Fill me with your Holy Spirit now.
Lord God, may I have the faith and persistence of Moses, both in this situation that we’re facing now and in future hardships. Would you help me lean on you when I don’t have the answers and trust that you are good, no matter what I go through.
Lord God, would you help me to keep an eternal perspective on life, holding on to the fact that one day I will walk in paradise with you. Thank you that you have a plan to shake all sin and suffering from this world, and to make all things new. Amen.
Collect
Most merciful God,
Who by the death and resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ
Delivered and saved the world:
Grant that by faith in him who suffered on the cross
We may triumph in the power of his victory;
Through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
Who is alive and reigns with you,
In the unity of the Holy Spirit,
One God, now and for ever.
Amen.
