Steadfast Love: Conceal Me

Psalm 27, Luke 13:31-35

He will hide me in His shelter in the day of trouble; He will conceal me under the cover of His tent; He will lift me high upon a rock. Psalm 27:5

We live in a world that is quite different from the world we lived in last year. So many changes and uncertainties in our world today create fear in people's minds! Many people who were secured of their jobs last year are jobless today; many immigrants who thought they were secured due to their contributions to the economy are either out of the country by deportation or are in the process! Holding a green card as an immigrant is not guaranteed to stay in the country! Even being a citizen by naturalization and having a leadership position does not guarantee that one is not subject to deportation! The cost of living is escalating daily. Some future securities are being reviewed and subject to change! Where do we go from here?

The interesting thing about these developments is that Christians on both sides of our governance are appealing to scripture to legitimize their actions! Our text today, however,  gives us confidence that there is power greater than political power! Jesus did not mince words when he sent a message to the fox of his time, as read in the Gospel today. Tell him that I have a mission of love to accomplish here, and I am not leaving until it is accomplished! This, too, shall pass!

King David, a man after God's own heart, understood what it meant to experience fear. During his lifetime, he faced threats not only from enemies but also from those he loved. When he sinned and felt abandoned by God, he truly knew what it was to be afraid and to hide. However, through repentance and humility, he sought redemption from the only source that could calm his fears. It wasn’t his own strength or might that brought him comfort. He declared, “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?” Many people try to pinpoint the fears we should confront, but that is simply part of the world we live in.

Despite the complexities in his life, King David maintained his faith in God’s ability to forgive and protect. It is important to understand that the opposite of faith is not doubt; indeed, doubt appears frequently throughout the Bible and coexists with faith. The true opposite of faith is fear. The command to "not fear" is a consistent message throughout the scriptures. This command was reiterated by angels upon their appearances, proclaimed by God, exemplified by Jesus, discussed by Paul, and emphasized by John as a guiding principle during challenging times.

How do we cope with fear when it takes hold of people? The psalmist provides guidance: “Seek shelter in the tent of the Lord.” Find refuge in God and be lifted above your fears, standing firm on that rock. We are also encouraged to worship with joy while making sacrifices. Let’s set aside our “me first” mentality and extend a hand to someone different from ourselves. Let’s behave as if the only thing we have to fear is fear itself.

So, you’re thinking, “Okay, I like the sound of that. That living without fear kind of thing.” But how? Our political life seems rooted in fear. There are many things to fear. Our world is falling apart. Making choices based on fear appears to be the smarter way to go these days. Responding out of fear seems like the logical response. So, how do we reach a point where we can live without fear?

The psalmist encourages us to "seek his face." If you want to overcome fear, this is more than just a cliché; it's an active pursuit that can liberate you. Look for God’s presence in everyday moments—whether it's a stranger, acts of kindness, or the beauty of music and wonders of nature. By dedicating your life to seeking God, you'll find that fear holds less power over you.

Show me your face, O God, my light and my salvation! Conceal me so that what is revealed is not me and my fears, but the presence, confidence, and hope of God, just as Jesus did. He said, “If you have seen me, you have seen the Father” (John 14:9). He was hidden in the Father, concealed in God, or God concealed in him. In our Gospel text, Jesus seems to reflect on this concealment.

Does anyone else find it strange that the Pharisees are the ones pretending to save Jesus’ skin? These individuals would love nothing more than for Jesus to meet a quick and messy end. They are the ones who trip over themselves to find tests they can’t pass and questions they can’t answer. And now we are expected to believe they have Jesus’ best interests at heart? Even Jesus seems to doubt this, as his response acknowledges a relationship. “Go and tell,” he instructs them. He asserts that he is in control of his own destiny and responsible for his own worth and value; he isn’t planning to run and hide from anyone. He knows to whom he belongs.

It might make perfect sense that, having declared his own sense of belonging to his mission and to the one who sends him on this journey, he then pauses to reflect on the object of that mission and the subject of the love that comes from the one who sends him.

He has encountered the fox and is now on his way to the henhouse. "Go and tell that fox," he says, "that scavenger, that trickster, that unscrupulous schemer, that his destructive power has its limits." After chasing away the fox, he wants to gather the chicks. Luke presents us with a choice: Do we find our safety and security in the powers that operate out of fear and self-interest, at least to some extent? Do we seek our connection, meaning, and purpose from those who try to define us by tallying our failures and disappointments? Or do we turn to the one who shelters us in the shadow of his wings, who has willingly been broken and poured out through an unimaginable love for us?

We need to understand and hold on to Christ's love and hope, especially in difficult times. It's important to practice this love ourselves, supporting those who feel isolated or defined by their mistakes. Just as David found assurance in God's protection, we can find comfort in His promise to shelter us and lift us up (Psalm 27:5). Let us move forward with confidence in God's protection and support.