Providence (noun): the protective care of God or of nature as a spiritual power; the foreseeing care and guidance of God or nature over the creatures of the earth. In particular, divine providence refers to God’s preservation of creation, His cooperation with everything that happens, and His guiding of the universe. One synonym of providence is God’s Will.
A new phrase in my everyday conversation is “shelter-in-place” or “shelter-at-home”. I can honestly say that prior to 2020, I never used this phrase. Actually, I didn’t even know it was a phrase that I might someday use. I confess: I was ignorant about the existence of the real threat of a pandemic. And now here I sit, no longer able to ignore, deny, or debate such a danger.
Hearing this “shelter-in-place” phrase so frequently got me thinking about the word “shelter”. The definition – in verb form – means to protect or shield from something harmful. Primarily, the word shelter is used when speaking of the physical world, and in relation to bodily harm.
I wondered… what would be the comparable word when speaking of the spiritual world? That’s how I arrived at the word, PROVIDENCE.
It feels like a “big” word. But look within, and a more commonly understood word can be found: PROVIDE.
Providence is the gift I receive from the protective care of God. Providence assures me that God is prepared to protect, preserve, and provide for His creation. Nothing that happens is a surprise to Him. As my Creator, it is in His very nature to ensure not just my survival, but my ability to thrive. God’s providence is more than protection and safety, but also includes the tender-loving-care He delivers it with.
My search for a Biblical reference to God’s providence didn’t take long. Psalm 91 paints a beautiful picture of the word…
Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. Psalm 91:1-6
While the virus has caused shelter-in-place orders across the world, this is purely a physical requirement to stay in our homes in an effort to protect ourselves and each other from harm. However, my spiritual protection lies in God alone. He is my refuge! Under His wings, I do not fear. My soul rests at peace in the shadow of His Love.
Another great visual of God’s tender-loving-care is found in the Twenty-third Psalm. Especially the first verse.
The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Psalm 23
In other Bible translations, the phrase “I lack nothing” is shown as “I have all I need” or “I shall not want.”
This statement speaks volumes about how God faithfully provides. The other verbs within the Psalm – guides, prepares, refreshes, leads – also demonstrate God’s providence. He knows exactly what I need before I even know I need it! And then guides me to it.
God is never caught unprepared or unaware of my needs.
As I physically shelter-in-place, doing all I can as a citizen of the world to stop the spread of the virus, I have decided to take advantage of this opportunity of rest, of freedom from “busyness”, of long periods of unscheduled time, to sit still under His wings. To seek His Face. To understand His Will. To read His Word.
The shelter-in-place order may physically keep my body safe, but it’s through the actions of sheltering in God that I keep my spirit “safe”. I will not succumb to the fear. Or to the negativity or despair or darkness that the fear tries to lead me into.
While I shelter-in-place, I will do all I can to shelter in Him.
God’s providence is my spirit’s vaccine.
For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock. Psalm 27:5
As I picture myself “safe in his dwelling”, hymns and songs of praise start ringing in my ears. Songs like “The Father’s House” from Cory Asbury and “Praise you in this Storm” from Casting Crowns.
I decided to search YouTube for other songs, and came across this gem: “Sheltered in the Arms of God” by Dottie Rambo. In this YouTube video, Dottie shares some of the story behind the song, in particular how she came up with the first line of the song “I feel the touch of hands so kind and tender…”
That’s it exactly! While I’m sheltering-in-place, I have the opportunity to sit still long enough, without the chaos and noise of the world, to actually sense the touch of His kind and tender hands. To feel His Providence.
As I shelter-in-place, I often sit on the edge of my bed in the late afternoon hour as the sun streams in through the window. I let the warmth wash over me and I feel it. His Providence. His whispers of “You are safe”, “You are loved”, and “You are mine.”
As I shelter-in-place, I open my bible each morning to receive nourishment for my soul. I read the red letters of Jesus and I feel it. His Providence. His words of “Take Heart!”, “My peace I give you”, and “I am with you always.”
Although I am saddened by the deaths and turmoil of the COVID-19 virus, I am grateful for this shelter-in-place order. It has allowed me to understand what Dottie is singing about.
I feel the touch of hands so kind and tender…