In just a matter of weeks the world was gripped with the knowledge of a new disease that had rattled China forcing the country into a lockdown. We all looked on in amazement, as this was something unseen before and even still as we watched never really expected this outbreak to affect us personally. All of a sudden as cases swept across the world, surreal moments occurred with country after county going into lockdown, closing their borders and restricting everyday activities, creating a new norm for the time being.
As we come to grips with what has just occurred some are wondering where is God in amongst this situation, especially where certain countries have seen a number of deaths, unemployment rising and as a result some are questioning where is God? How can we deal with this situation as Christians, is God really still there in the pandemic?
Particularly in a situation like this one, it helps to firstly look and remember who God really is. God is not some being that we can put into a box nor can we limit Him in His abilities. God is God, a supernatural being who created humans so that He can have a relationship with them. God doesn’t change, as He tells us in His Word in the book of Hebrews 13:8 that He is the
“same yesterday, today and forever.”
He is still the all powerful God who parted the Red sea, all loving God who sent His Son to die on the cross and mighty God who created you in His image, who loves you with an everlasting love that He deemed you worthy to pay the penalty of the cross so that you may have an everlasting life with Him. God is still in control- even in this situation. Even if it doesn’t look like He can be and the situation looks really bleak, He is holding you up, the world in His hands and has a purpose for allowing this to take place. As we have been shown His abilities through countless accounts of His leading, guidance and protection throughout the Bible.
Unfortunately we live in a sinful and fallen world where we will go through trails and tribulations but God says that He will carry us through, that we wont go through more than we can bear, and promises to supply our needs (Philippians 4:19). We also have a blessed hope in this situation. God loves us so much that He shared with us through His Word various situations that would happen and take place throughout history (history books prove that these events came true). God has given us all the signs and wonders because He doesn’t want anyone to perish but all to be saved (2 Peter 3:9) and be able to live with Him forever. That is how much He loves us!
One of these promises that God shares with us, is that He will come back again a second time- His second coming. He gave us signs to help us know when His coming is near so that we may remain awake. God didn’t have to do this but He has chosen too for He wants all of us to come into a saving relationship with Him before it is too late. Some of these signs that God shares with us we can find in the book of Matthew in chapter 24. One of these signs in particular is that there will be a rise in pestilences (diseases) in the world. We have been seeing a rise in outbreaks such as SARS, bird flu, swine flu in the last number of years and now Covid-19 that has become more global than the rest. God who is all knowing, the alpha and omega (knows the beginning and the end) knew that this was going to take place and out of His love has warned us so that we may know when He is coming back soon to live in a world where there is no suffering, pain or death- because He loves us that much.
He is allowing us to go through these trails so that we may grow in our faith, trust in Him and that hopefully we may draw closer to Him and be saved.
It is our time to shine as Christians, be the calm in other peoples storms and share the love of Jesus for He is most certainly still in control and He is there amongst Covid-19, just like He will continue to be as He has been through out history and will continue to look after you. Let us come together to encourage one another, build each other up and help our neighbours at this time, for we are all in this together.
Much Love.