In this time of social distancing, stay in place and even quarantine, my thoughts turn to others who have experienced isolation and how God pulled them through it.
The first thought that comes to mind is Noah taking refuge in the ark from the rain and flood for more than a year with his family and every animal from Aardvark to Zebra. I’m sure some of you parents with children at home from school with you for just several weeks can identify with their situation. There is no doubt in my mind that they were at the end of their rope by the time the dove flew off and did not return. (Genesis 6:9 through 8:22)
Then there was Elijah. He climbed a mountain and took refuge in a cave hiding from Jezebel. He sat there lamenting his situation to God even though he had just called down fire from heaven to demonstrate God’s power to the prophets of Baal, he was feeling isolated and all alone. God didn’t speak to him in the earthquake, fire or wind storm, but instead with a still small voice to let him know he was not alone. There were thousands of others who had not worshipped Baal and were true to God. (1 Kings 18:42 through 19:18)
Recently, a friend shared a video made by Pastor Lee McClelland from the Ark Church in Belfast Ireland. In it he tearfully tells how God responded to his prayers while he was dying from COVID-19 in a hospital room cut off from all family and friends. He cried out to God to send hope and comfort and “God sent a cleaner” in answer to his prayers. When no one else was allowed in, a cleaner came into his room and asked how he was doing. Then he gave his testimony as he cleaned and told about his years as a missionary. Before he left, he asked if he could pray for him. He couldn’t touch him but from the door he prayed for his healing. The pastor told how he felt the disease begin to leave his body. Later, as he was feeling better and his appetite was returning, he got a strong craving for prawn flavored crisps and he asked God to somehow provide. That same cleaner appeared briefly at his door and put down a sack simply saying, “Here’s a gift from God”. In that bag were two oranges, a coke and the prawn flavored crisps. Even when we feel isolated and alone, God is with us providing exactly what we need. If you google, God sent a cleaner, you can watch the heart touching video for yourself. Be sure to have some tissues handy. I can’t even think about it without tears of joy.
What God has done for these people, He will do for all of His children, including you and me.