Whether therefore ye eat or drink, or whatever ye do, do all to the glory of God. (1 Corinthians 10:31)
[This article was first published in May of 2020].
Thank you to all of our health-workers, truckers and emergency personnel during these challenging days.
I have mentioned the coronavirus during the past two months in these articles, but this will be the first time that I have addressed the situation head-on. As I write this, May 11, we are a week away from the intended lifting of the stay-at-home orders, Monday May 18. As you read this June 3 or beyond, it will be at least two weeks after the fact. So what will have happened in this intervening time is anyone’s guess.
As a pastor, I am anxious for the mandate to be lifted so that we can return to some normalcy in having services at the church. Having messages on YouTube is fine, but personal contact is better. At the same time, I recognize that there are those who are older, or who have physical conditions that cause them to be hesitant to gather with people.
My purpose today is to talk about what this pandemic means in light of Scripture.
First, in the midst of the sinking sand of the trouble in this world, it is important to know that there is a Rock upon which we can stand. That Rock is Christ. He is “the same yesterday, today, and forever.” He never changes. When your life is settled on Him, you have a solid foundation for your life in any time of uncertainty.
Second, when you are afraid, you can trust in Him. He “has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” When you belong to Him, He loves you, cares for you, and promises that even “if the earth should be removed”… “He will never leave you nor forsake you.” If you do not currently belong to Him, you can come to Him now and He will receive you. Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection is the settled ground upon which you can trust!
Third, there are several lessons that we can learn from the Wuhan virus. What is occurring in our world is really a picture of what sin produces. Our world is broken because of sin, and if God were to remove His hand of protection, everything would fall apart. Sin impacts every area of life—physical, financial, emotional, personal, and most importantly, spiritual.
What we see occurring around us is just a small picture of what it will be like after the Lord Jesus returns for His own. This could happen at any time. After all believers are removed from this world, humanity will face a seven-year period of time filled with pestilence and other devastations. This pandemic is perhaps a wake-up call for us. If you are a believer, “look up, for your redemption draws nigh!” If you are outside of God’s family, “look to the Lamb of God.” Again, He is a Rock in which you can hide!
Finally, God’s people need to seize these days to strive to do good for those who are vulnerable. We also need to pray that this will give an opportunity for the expansion of world-wide missions. “That they may know that I am the LORD” is the oft-made statement in the OT as to why God does what He does. We need to make God famous “to every tribe, and tongue and people and nation.” May it be so, for His glory!