“When you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” Matthew 6:6
The Blessings of Lockdown
I love how time and time again the Word speaks to us about the things that we experience. Being “locked in” these days because of COVID 19 seems like such an unusual and strange thing to walk through. And yet, it’s not the first time that there have been lockdown types of experiences. We can go back to Biblical times and find examples of being “locked in” for us to learn from.
A friend passed on to me a list that someone had done of examples of being locked in taken from the Word. I have adapted them to my way of understanding and applying them.
– Genesis 39:20,21. When he was sold into slavery, Joseph ended up being put into prison. He was literally locked in. But the Lord was with Joseph in prison. The result was that because of God being with him, he found favor. He was given responsibility. Whatever he did, the Lord made it to prosper throughout his life—blessing him, his family, and all of the kingdom.
– Exodus 12:22-27. The Israelites were told to put the blood of a lamb over their doorposts and to not go outside. They were locked into their homes. When the Lord passed through to smite the Egyptians, they would be passed over. The result was an amazing deliverance. They were set free from bondage. This testimony would be part of their story, their inheritance forever.
– Daniel 3:23. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were tied up and thrown into the fire. They were locked into the flaming furnace. The result was that God came into their midst. The result is that they were delivered, their faith was strengthened, and they were able to be a testimony to the nation. They didn’t even smell of smoke after their time in the furnace.
– Daniel 6:16-23. Daniel was thrown into the lion’s den because he prayed to God, a stone was placed at the entrance, and the king sealed him in. He was locked in. But God closed the mouths of the lions. No harm came to Daniel. The result is that God protected him. This was a testimony to the King and to the heathen nation.
– John 20:19-27. The disciples were together, and the doors were locked for fear of the Jewish leaders. The Lord came into their midst and blessed them with peace and with the Holy Spirit. Thomas had not been with them. He doubted their experience, so the same thing happened a second time. The result was that they were blessed with fresh anointing by the Lord as they went out to proclaim the Gospel.
– Acts 2. A hundred and twenty of the followers of Jesus were locked in the upper room. As they waited, they were filled with the Holy Spirit. The result was an empowering baptism and commissioning to preach the Gospel.
– Acts 16:24-33. Paul and Silas were in prison with their feet locked in stocks. An earthquake came and set them free. But they didn’t flee. The result was that many saw God’s power, hearts turned to Him, and a new church was planted.
– Matthew 6:6. As in today’s Scripture, we can make a choice to go into lockdown with the Lord. The result is intimacy with Him, and an assurance that God will meet us.
As I’ve pondered the Biblical passages above, the clear message is that I need to keep my eyes on the Lord in the midst of the lockdown. All of these situations were marked by an unusual presence of God and by His Spirit being at work. I have come to understand that this season is an invitation to draw close to Him in the midst of an unprecedented time.
This lockdown is a part of human history forever. I am asking God to make this time part of my spiritual history in ways that only He can.
Father, we know that You are working mighty deeds during this time of being locked in with You. Open our eyes to see them. Amen
P.S. This blessing song from Numbers 6:24-26 was put together in song with a virtual choir made up from the churches of Pittsburgh for the Easter weekend to speak blessing over their city. May it bless you during your lockdown!
Click here to listen.*
Sally, thank you for this blessing today…..I felt that song pour over me this morning!
I just love it when we are comforted by examples in the Word so we know we are triumphing, not being defeated!
So good! Thanks for all the examples.
So blessed by your words. So blessed by the worship of a God of blessing. This was a good way to begin my day!
Awesome!
So good! Thank you so much, I’m going to share this!