Good morning,
We are living in unprecedented times. The COVID-19 has caused upheaval in our personal, work, financial, recreational, and spiritual lives. All of us are being impacted.
How should we deal with this crisis? Some are hoarding. Some are complaining. Some are seeking answers. While others question the government and healthcare community. Some pray for God’s intervention.
Christians should go back to the basics.
God is in control.
1. God created everything.
“In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” (Genesis 1:1)
2. God rules over the affairs of men
“Thine, O Lord is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O Lord, and thou art exalted as head above all.12 Both riches and honor come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all.” (1 Chronicles 29:11-12)
“The Lord killeth, and maketh alive: he bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up. 7 The Lord maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up.8 He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth are the Lord‘s, and he hath set the world upon them.9 He will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail.10 The adversaries of the Lord shall be broken to pieces; out of heaven shall he thunder upon them: the Lord shall judge the ends of the earth; and he shall give strength unto his king, and exalt the horn of his anointed.” (1 Samuel 2:6-10)
Many of us want to be in control. However, we are never completely in control. God may give us opportunities to be in control, but ultimately it is God who is really in control.
When we read what Scripture says about God’s sovereignty, it makes it very clear we are not in control.
3. God knows everything
“O lord, thou hast searched me, and known me.2 Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.3 Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.4 For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether.” (Psalm 139:1-4)
“O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!34 For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?35 Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again?36 For of him, and through him, and to him, [are] all things: to whom [be] glory for ever. Amen.” (Romans 11:33-36)
God knows everything. There is nothing He does not know. What we think, how we will act, and what we will say, He knows.
4. God is always present
“Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?8 If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.9 If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;10 Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.” (Psalm 139:7-10)
“The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.” (Proverbs 15:3)
“When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.” (Isaiah 43:1)
“For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” (Matthew 18:20)
COVID-19 did not take God by surprise! He has known about it since before the beginning of time.
The question we have to ask ourselves is, “Do we trust God to be able to take care of us through these troubling times?” This is when our faith in God is put to the test.
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001
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