Quarantined With God: A Daily Devotional

By Rev. Matthew Kluchar

When the pandemic began in 2020, many churches such as ours closed to in person services. I decided to begin emailing daily devotionals to keep our congregation connected. This is a collection of all of them.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Oct 9, 2021
• ISBN: 9781387606948

Book preview

Quarantined With God

A Devotional

By Rev. Matthew Kluchar

Author’s Forward

Who could forget the early months of the year 2020? Well, let’s be honest. Who would like to forget the early months of 2020? When the Covid pandemic hit the shores of the United States, it was something that very few of us were prepared for. We were scared, confused, and running to the stores to hoard toilet paper of all things. The stay-at-home orders started to roll across our country state by state. Suddenly, we were all separated and isolated.

Churches were exempt from the order to not gather, but most of us decided that in the best interest of our congregations we would temporarily close. This led us to turn to technology and have church online. A couple of fellow pastors began to email daily devotionals to their congregation to keep them uplifted and encouraged. I loved the idea and decided to start my own. This book is the compilation of those devotionals.

I decided not to put days or dates on the headings of each, which is the usual format for devotionals. I did this so that you could start them at any time of the year on any day. You can even skip around if you wish. However you choose to read them, you will find some related to the time of year such as Easter and Christmas. You will also find some that are related to the events of the times.

My hope is that as you read, you will not only be spiritually fed, but you will also recall that time in quarantine. What were you thinking? What were you worried about? Were you trying new things? Were you reaching out to others? How were you living out your faith at a time when we were so separated from each other?

As I write these words, some places are there again. We are experiencing a third wave of Covid cases and stay-at-home orders are slowly creeping back to our reality. We need to stay strong and hold each other up. This is not over yet. Most importantly, we need to hold on to our faith in God.

Since I reference my family at times, I will list their names here so that there is no confusion: Jenny (my wife), Jack (oldest stepson), Alex (oldest son), Jared (stepson), Meghan (only daughter), and Ben (youngest son). All of them have contributed to how I see and experience life.

Is It Time?

Matthew 24:36: No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven nor the Son, but only the Father.

One thing I’m seeing during this pandemic is the resurgence of people saying these are the end times. I see people saying that we need to be ready and repent, because Jesus is not far off. (Did I mention I have some wacky friends?) When I was younger, I was fascinated with end-times prophecy. I read the book of Revelation and went to whatever seminar or study where I could to learn more. Over the years, what I have learned is this: just as the Scripture says, no one knows the time. The gospels and Revelation talk about signs, but they are so vague that people have been interpreting them differently in every generation convinced that the end is about to happen.

What I am convinced about is that we don’t need to be worried. Jesus told several parables about this, and they all ended with something like this: Matthew 25:13: Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour. We can drive ourselves crazy trying to predict when, where, and how Jesus will return. The important thing for us is to be ready. We need to focus on going about God’s work so that if he returns in our lifetime, he will see us as faithful servants.

It’s like being younger and having some friends over when you’re not supposed to (not that I ever did this). Then, someone sees your parents coming home and everyone goes running out the back making it look like you were an obedient child. Of course, there are always signs that people were there. You really can’t hide it completely. In the same way, we should not be slacking off in our relationship with God then suddenly get busy when we think he’s returning. We need to be always faithful. If there’s one thing I’ve learned through this time is that life can completely change in an instant.

Who Will Mourn With Those Who Mourn

Romans 12:15: Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.

The passages around this verse speak of us working towards unity. Rather than just thinking of ourselves, Paul urges us to think of others as well. One thing keeps coming back to mind during this time of isolation. A close friend of mine lost his father recently to lung cancer. Just yesterday, I learned that a friend of mine that I knew through the Canfield marching band passed away due to Covid-19. Though I did not know the rest of his family, I feel for them. What this makes me think of is this: who will mourn with them? Losing a loved one is hard enough, but at least there is some comfort when people come to calling hours, express their condolences, and share their love for the deceased.

I think that people are still allowed to have funerals during this time, but realistically how many will show up? Who will be willing to stand in long lines? Who will embrace the mourners? Who will cry with them? Who will hang around to exchange memories, laugh about the good times, and say they can’t believe the person is gone. I used to dread these gatherings when I was younger, but I have come to appreciate how healing they are. But now, where will that healing come from? Sure, we can still send cards or make a phone call. But nothing comes close to gathering to mourn with those who mourn.

If you know a person who has lost someone during this time, say extra prayers for them. I’m sure it’s going to be much harder for them. 

What Would We Do?

Matthew 26:74-5: Immediately a rooster crowed. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times. And he went outside and wept bitterly.

Poor Peter; everyone gives him a hard time when telling the story of his denial. But honestly, would we have acted differently? It was easy for Peter to be bold when he was with Jesus. Jesus never let anything bad happen to his disciples up until this point. He always protected them. Now, Peter was alone in the belly of the beast. Peter was in the court of the Sanhedrin, and they were interrogating Jesus. Would Peter take a stand, be immediately arrested, and be subject to whatever punishment Jesus was about to receive? He said he would follow Jesus until death, but now it was time for action, not words.

We all like to think of how we would act in times of emergency. However, we never truly know until it happens. If I were honest, I probably would have done the same as Peter. But as we see, those moments don’t need to define us forever. Peter grew into a great leader. Our mistakes can be turned into victories, so long as we are willing to be shaped by them. Don’t be afraid to be imperfect. God uses all things to form us into the likeness of Jesus.

Our Present Suffering

Romans 8:18: I consider that our present sufferings are not comparable to the glory that will be revealed in us.

If you were listening to the governor yesterday, you know that the stay at home order has been extended to May 1st. I was not surprised by this, but I will admit that it was a little disappointing. I’m really looking forward to it being lifted. We have all had times like this where we are looking forward to something happening, only to be disappointed when it doesn’t. Currently, I am seeing this with my oldest son. He ordered a t-shirt and every day askes, Did we get a package in the mail? When I say no, he sulks away. It’s really nothing major, he just gets a little disappointed. However, even though he is 20-years-old, it’s hard for me to see my children being disappointed because I want what’s best for them.

In our verse for today, Paul ponders the suffering he endured constantly for the sake of the gospel. As he thought and wrote, he realized that this world was not the end. He served a heavenly Father who wanted nothing but the best for him, and would eventually be able to deliver. This world is filled with so many trials. No matter how good our lives are, we will encounter some. Although I cannot answer the age old question of why these things take place, I would imagine that it hurts God to see us go through it. He wants what is best for us. Someday, He will usher us into a kingdom where there is no more sickness, no more death, and no more suffering.

Life goes by in the blink of an eye. No matter what we are going through in this life, it’s not worth comparing to what our lives will someday be.

Continuity

Matthew 17:2-3: There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as light. Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus.

This is a moment in the life of Jesus that is referred to as the transfiguration. Jesus took his inner circle of James, John, and Peter up a mountain away from everyone. While there, not only did his appearance change, but Elijah and Moses showed up. I have heard other pastors refer to this as the holy summit.

There is a great significance in these three figures. Moses represented the covenant God made with Israel and the Law that God gave them. Elijah represented the prophets. Jesus represented the fulfillment of both. The beauty of the Scriptures is their continuity. They were written over thousands of years by various authors in different parts of the world. Yet they fit together like one big puzzle. Each book contributes something to the big picture.

I have heard many people say that the Bible is full of contradictions. However, I have yet to come across any significant ones that can’t be explained when looked at in context. The book of Colossians says that Jesus holds all things together. This is also true of the Bible. If Jesus is the word of God, then it was through him that God gave the Israelites the Law and it was he who spoke God’s words through the prophets. When I consider the Bible in its entirety, all that I see is amazing continuity.

The Art of Lamenting

Psalms 71:20: Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up.

I am currently reading through a book titled Dark Clouds Deep Mercy. There is a biblical art of how to deal with pain and grief called lamenting. We can see it in the book of Lamentations as well as in certain Psalms. The poetry that it creates is filled with emotion. The pattern of lament is generally this: a complaint, remembering God’s faithfulness, and a commitment to praise God even when things don’t make sense.

During hard times, many Christians have said to me, I know you’re not supposed to question God, but…. Yet if we look at the Bible, this is simply not true. The Psalms are filled with questions aimed at God such as, My God! Why have you forsaken me?, How long will you be silent?, and How long will you allow the wicked to prosper? God is no stranger to our questions; he knows what is on our hearts before we utter a word. The key to questioning God is in our attitude.

Writers of laments come to God with a humble heart, filled with hurt and confusion. The questions are not fired in anger. Rather, the writers are wrestling with what they see happening and what they know of God. Questioning God about pain and grief is not wrong, but it is important that we follow that up with praise for who God is in our lives. Staying in complaint mode leads to bitterness. True lament helps us to let out the pain, work through it, and find some peace and resolve.

Don’t worry. Our God is big enough to handle your questions.

One Body

Colossians 1:17-18: He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church.

I’m glad so many of you enjoyed the online worship yesterday. It took some time to put together, but I was very happy with it. Although I missed seeing all of you, I took comfort in the verse above. Though we are apart, Christ holds us together. Our unity is not dependent on our proximity. Jesus is the head of the church, but not just our church. He is the head of the worldwide church. We need to be in prayer not just for us, but for all Christians. It’s a big prayer, but our God is a big God.

I say this because this pandemic has also disrupted missionary efforts. It has disrupted not just the spreading of the gospel, but much needed humanitarian efforts that missionary organizations provide. That being said, it has also opened the local churches up to new ideas on how to do ministry.

Since I recorded and posted the worship service on Saturday, I was able to sit in on worship for Hiram Christian. They did a Zoom meeting, which is basically a meeting in a virtual room online. It was pretty cool and a unique experience. It’s always nice for pastors to see what other churches are up to and what they are preaching. I also got to see some snippets from other pastors that I know.

Overall, it’s comforting to know that we are not in this alone. Jesus holds all things together; he holds all of us together. I will be planning on holding a Zoom meeting this week as a time of fellowship for us. I will be emailing detailed instructions. If you don’t think you can navigate the technology, not to worry. There is also a call in option. Just dial the number and enter a code and you can participate just like a phone call.

Jesus and Politics

Matthew 22:17-22: Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not? But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me? Show me the coin used for paying the tax. They brought him a denarius, and he asked them, Whose portrait is this? And whose inscription? Caesar’s, they replied. Then he said to them, Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s. When they heard this, they were amazed. So they left him and went away.

I love how Jesus was able to handle any argument thrown at him, to the point that his opponents could only answer with silence. He was a master at turning things around. This was one such incident. The reason why Jesus said this was a trap had to do with the Jewish expectation of a political messiah who would establish a physical kingdom.

The religious leaders knew that the people of Israel hated paying Rome’s oppressive taxes. So if Jesus said that it was right to pay taxes to Caesar, the Jewish people would reject him as being a friend of Rome instead of a messianic leader who would overthrow Rome. However, if Jesus said it was not right to pay taxes to Caesar, then he would have been in trouble with the Roman government.

The answer Jesus gave clearly showed his worldview. The definition of a worldview is simply the lense through which we look at the world around us. It governs our concepts of life in general. Jesus was saying that things like money belong to this world and, in his time, the Roman Empire. The kingdom that Jesus ruled was spiritual.

Lately, I’m seeing a lot of people trying to figure out what type of political views Jesus would have. I have found myself being dragged into this argument as well, only to come quickly to my senses. As far as I know, these passages were the only ones where Jesus had anything to say to the people about the clearly immoral and corrupt Roman government. In other words, it really wasn’t his concern. What was his concern was the kingdom of heaven and his subjects.

Whatever your political view is really doesn’t matter to me. That’s your choice. But if you’re a Christian trying to use that political ideology as your worldview, and then trying to squeeze Jesus into it, you’re doing it wrong. Your Christian faith needs to be your worldview, and everything else needs to be seen through that lense. THAT is what Jesus did. 

When You’re Smiling…

    Proverbs 15:13: A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit.

Proverbs 15:15: All the days of the oppressed are wretched, but the cheerful heart has a continual feast.

Proverbs 17:22: A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

Why three verses today? Am I trying to drive home a point? Lol. Normally, I don’t quote many verses from Proverbs. It’s not because I don’t value the book. It’s just that one chapter can contain so many different ideas, they’re hard to remember. Most of the verses are written in pairs and they are contrasting ideas. Consider these three verses. They show the stark contrast between a cheerful heart and crushing oppression.

There will always be times such as now, when we look around and feel the weight of a situation. We feel trapped, afraid, or lonely. The Proverbs are not saying it’s wrong to feel that way. These are normal human emotions. But what happens when that’s all we feel; when we let those feelings oppress us and keep us down? Our spirits are crushed and we want to just give up. That crushed spirit can make us physically weak, as well.

I never try to hide that I deal with depression, but my relationship with God is not the only thing that helps me through it. One thing I always make time for is laughter. I love to stop what I’m doing and watch a stand up comedian or comedy show (yes, I still watch cartoons). It actually makes my body feel better and lifts my spirit. It’s not a curall, but it really helps.

Bad news is all around us right now. We should be informed and mindful of what’s going on. But I see what is