03/15/2020 -
In times of plague, or Pandemic, we are challenged, and this challenge is multiplied, as sickness races around the world. In such situations we have a tendency to fall into despair, fear, and panic. In times like this we are prone to lose our courage, and feel our strength of faith waning as it is attacked on all fronts by doubt, and the lies of Satan. He tells us such things as “God has forgotten you”, “God is angry with you and will strike you down with plague!”, or “This is too big for God to handle!”, but all of these lies are untrue for those who believe. God’s Word is certainly the hope of the faithful.
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."”
Joshua 1:9 ESV
Today we are faced with a plague known as the Coronavirus, now called Covid-19, and as it spreads from country to country, and house to house, it not only brings sickness and death to people’s bodies, but fear, and another especially devastating effect... the destruction of people’s civility and faith which not only kills the body, but along with it their soul. This is the worst possible impact that plague can bring; not death or sickness of the body, but the loss of our spiritual health, and the death of our very soul. This should be our true fear... our greatest despair.
“And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.”
Matthew 10:28 ESV
Fear breeds panic, and panic causes those whose faith is thin, skinny, and malnourished, to do awful things to others as they fight to save their own bodies at the expense of their eternal souls. We see people hoarding food and other items to the detriment of others, we see the closure of public places meant to calm the spirit, and of churches which were meant to feed the spirit, and nourish the soul. We see people afraid to embrace one another, especially those who mourn, and in all of this, and more, we witness the loss of the second greatest commandment which is to love our neighbor as ourself... in losing this we lose the heart and mind of Christ within us.
“do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:6-7 ESV
This is what happens when we place our faith in ourselves, or lean on man and governments to care for us, and sustain us. It is like looking to the blank paper upon which the Word of God is printed for our help. It isn’t the paper beneath, and it isn’t even the ink upon it... no, it is the Word as it enters our ears and hearts, then leaves our mouth to infect others with life... it is the truth in God’s voice, and the touch of His Breath, the redeeming power of Jesus, and the prayers of the Holy Spirit erupting from within us that rescue, and save us.
“But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God."”
John 3:21 ESV
There is a wonderful passage of scripture that tells us of God’s salvation, and how we overcome the fears of the world, and it gives us examples of the kinds of things He saves and secures us from. We lean on such passages for the sustenance of our faith, and to stave off the fear that would breed panic... and that would murder our souls. This scripture doesn’t mention Corvis-19, but we know that it is also here in these verses...
“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Romans 8:37-39 ESV
It really shouldn’t matter if bodily sickness and death knocks on our earthly doors, and yet we let the fear of them, and the other lies of Satan, kill the one thing that would live forever. We trade a few more days of earthly suffering for an eternity of peace in Christ, and the bounty of God’s table. We let fear and panic erode the peace of Christ, and the joy of God, to reveal the old man we have been trusting in Jesus to transform.
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah”
Psalms 46:1-3 ESV
So how are we behaving today? Are we selfishly hoarding food, and necessities, at the demise of others? Do we push the old and disadvantaged to the side and tell ourselves we had to do it in order to survive? Do we steal and rob because we are stronger than those around us? At what point do we lose sight of our faith, and let the dark one begin ruling our lives? At what point will we let our fear accomplish the purposes of Satan? At what point do we stop drinking the blood of Christ at communion for fear of plague on the cup and the lips of others? When we do these things out of the fear of bodily death have we already realized true death in our own spirits and souls?
“For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”
2 Timothy 1:6-7 ESV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for giving us the courage to face pestilence and plaque, and the strength of faith we need to overcome the fear of death it brings. Thank you Holy Father for transforming us through Jesus Christ into new creatures, and shielding us in your arms from the sins of the world. We thank you Lord for the love and goodness you have instilled in us, and For the mercy, grace, and compassion we now have for those around us. We lean on you as we face the storms of life, and trust in you even when burning with fever, or expecting the imminent arrival of our final breath in this body. No sickness, virus, or plague, can overcome our love for you Father, or undermine the faith we have in Jesus. Through all hardship and suffering we will love our neighbors as ourselves. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who was, and is, and is to come. Great are you who stays us against the winds of fear and panic that blow hot upon the land, and rob many of an eternity with you. Magnificent are you who cools the fever of the sick, and gives us strength when our faith is challenged. We praise your name Lord for your mercy and grace that flows through Jesus to abide in us. All glory is yours Father as we do your will in the face of great hardship, fear, pandemic, and plague. We worship you in our travail, and trust in you now, and forevermore.
“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”
James 1:2-4 ESV
Rich Forbes