Because you have made the Lord your dwelling place -- the Most High, who is my refuge -- no evil shall be allowed to befall you, no plague come near your tent. Psalm 91:9-10

Pigs are people, too.

The other day I saw a T-shirt that read, "PIGS ARE PEOPLE, TOO." (And, yes, you can buy it on the Internet for $17.99.)

Being raised in Chicago, I don't know much about that. On the other hand, it does appear we do have the ability to catch some illnesses from pigs: most notably the swine flu.

In case you've somehow missed the news reports, the World Health Organization has warned countries around the globe to be on guard for the swine flu, which has already been implicated in a number of human deaths in North America.

Margaret Chan, WHO director-general, says this could be a "public health emergency of international concern." Possibly. While some flu outbreaks are a tempest in a teapot, others have become pandemic and taken the lives of millions.

Whether the swine flu will do that in the months to come is, at best, guesswork and speculation.

On the other hand, we do know that when the Lord is your dwelling-place, when the Triune God is your refuge, no plague can come near your tent.

And for those who infer from those words to mean Christianity is an immunization from every sickness and problem, not so. Even Paul, had an unidentified thorn in the flesh (2 Corinthians 12: 7-10).

The truth is those who have Jesus as their Savior can be sure He will remain with them. Sometimes, He will prevent a problem. Sometimes, He will deliver us from a problem. And occasionally, He takes us through our problems.

And that, of course, includes the swine flu.

Even with a thorn in the flesh, St. Paul could confidently write: "But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Corinthians 15:57).

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord Jesus, for redeeming us, remaining with us, and allowing us to be given a victory over sin, death, devil, and life's problems, You have our thanks. Now we pray this illness may pass by and those who are spared may praise You. In Your Name. Amen.


FROM THE AUTHOR OF LHM'S DAILY DEVOTION: If the Swine Flu spreads, we want you to remember The Lutheran Hour will still be available via radio broadcast, the internet, satellite radio, and podcasts.

In Christ I remain His servant and yours,

Today's Bible Readings: 1 Samuel 23    Psalms 54    Psalms 63    Luke 22:47-71

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