My family has been living in tents the past few weeks.

There were tents pitched in operating rooms and procedure rooms.  There were tents pitched in hospital waiting rooms and cars and medical transport vehicles.

My Dad had a stroke on October 8.  He’s in an excellent rehabilitation hospital now and improving every day.  We’re looking back at how God was in all of the details and how He protected and provided.  On Sunday, our whole family was together with my Dad in the rotunda of the rehab facility, and he opened his Bible and read this verse:

“And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness’. Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)

The Greek word for “rest upon” literally means “to pitch a tent over”. 

We had the power of God pitched over us in all of the uncertainties, in all of the worry, in all of the desperate situations.  In our weaknesses, He covered us with His strength.

I remember lying in a small tent we had when I was a child, looking up to see the sunlight coming through the tan canvas.  And today I can sense  the same sunlight of hope and strength and God’s presence coming through the tent He has pitched over us.

We didn’t expect to need these tents, but I sure am glad they are there.

And there will be a tabernacle for shade in the daytime from the heat,  for a place of refuge, and for a shelter from storm and rain.  Isaiah 4:6

 …for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.  1 Peter 4:14

He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge… Psalm 91:4

He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength. Isaiah 40:29