Between a Rock and a Hard Place

On the one hand we are in the midst of an epidemic, a pandemic. It’s dangerous, and it is has hit southeast Michigan hard. We have recorded more deaths attributed to Covid-19 than any other of the United States except New York and New Jersey. It is serious, and we don’t know many answers. We do not know how long it will last. We do not know if, once you have it, you are immune, or how long. We do not know about seasonal reappearances. We do not know about long-term effects for those who survive serious cases.

On the other hand, we are in the midst of an economic mess. We don’t know what to call it. Most certainly, some say, a recession; others say, more like a depression. There are massive relief funds being distributed, coming from who knows where, and will be paid back who knows how. We don’t know if a business gets permission to go back to work, if they will be able to get the supplies they need, or if there will be much of a market for what they sell.

The house in our picture is “between a rock and a hard place.” It sits between two immoveable realities. And yet it looks quite comfortable there, quite safe. I’m not sure we always feel so safe.

As Christians - as those who rely on, who believe in the Word of God - we remember that we find our safety and refuge, not in our physical health; and not in our economic or employment stability. We find our safety and refuge in God: “my God, my Rock, in whom I take refuge” (Psalm 18:3). Many psalms speak of this refuge in different ways. Many hymns also: 

Rock of ages, cleft for me; Let me hide myself in Thee

The Lord’s our Rock, in Him we hide,

A Shelter in the time of storm;

Secure whatever ill betide,

A Shelter in the time of storm.

Oh, Jesus is a Rock in a weary land,

A weary land, a weary land;

Oh, Jesus is a Rock in a weary land,

A Shelter in the time of storm.

The raging storms may round us beat,

A Shelter in the time of storm

We’ll never leave our safe retreat,

A Shelter in the time of storm.