Lockdown Blues
Even though this lockdown hasn’t been super long, it feels long enough. I don’t know about you, but I’ve had a bad case of the lockdown blues… nothing tastes good (but I keep eating anyway), each day feels long (but the week flies by), and I keep thinking we’re out of lockdown only to realise many things remain closed or postponed.
I think I understand a little of why the Israelites complained so much during their sojourn in the wilderness between Egypt and Canaan; the scenery left much to be desired and their days and weeks blended into monotony. Even the miracles of walking through the red sea, being led by a pillar of fire by night and a pillar of cloud by day, and receiving bread from heaven paled in wonder as they trudged day after day through the dust.
Their leader Moses had to endure their constant complaints and rebellions. His own endurance and resilience were severely tested and more than once he failed to be patient.
He of all people warranted the cry, “How long?”
We find the secret to his perseverance in Psalm 90, the only one attributed to this long-suffering leader.
“Return, O Lord! How long?
Have pity on your servants!
14 Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love,
that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.
15 Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us,
and for as many years as we have seen evil.
16 Let your work be shown to your servants,
and your glorious power to their children.
17 Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us,
and establish the work of our hands upon us;
yes, establish the work of our hands!”
Psalm 90:13-17 (ESV)
When we’re burnt out and soul-weary, what will satisfy us, cause us to rejoice, and inspire us to work is God’s steadfast love, His glorious power, and His incomparable favour.
For who wouldn’t want breakfast in bed? He satisfies us in the morning with “His steadfast love” – the Hebrew word “hesed” which means goodness, kindness, faithfulness all in one. As we pray to Him and listen to His words first thing in the morning, He fills us up so that we have enough goodness, kindness and faithfulness to overflow to others throughout the day.
As we get tired He reveals His work to us, showing us His plan of redemption and restoration so that we may have hope and rejoice.
He sends us answers to prayers and miracles in the wilderness, even though we complain.
He blesses the work of our hands so that our days are not in vain.
And He works to bring us to a promised land.
“Why do you complain, Jacob?
Why do you say, Israel,
“My way is hidden from the Lord;
my cause is disregarded by my God”?
28 Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.
29 He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
30 Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
31 but those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.”
Isaiah 40:27-31
Renew our spirits, O Lord and restore us to the joy of Your salvation.
by: Jinha Kim
"But those who drink the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life." John 4:14