Because of the current COVID-19 crisis, I have decided that over the next couple of weeks I will use this blog to focus on the believer’s hope and confidence in God. This is not a time for panic, but a time to encourage our hearts. As the scriptures say, “encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” (Heb. 10:25). God has not abandoned us. He is still in control. To all who call upon Him He will grant Peace.
No surprise!
COVID-19 is no surprise to God.
In fact, Jesus gave His Church a heads up on this two millennia ago. He said,
“There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven.” (Luke 21:11)
That word ‘pestilence’ may sound odd to 21st Century ears. Merriam Webster defines pestilence as “a contagious or infectious epidemic disease that is virulent and devastating.” But the word can also take on a more metaphoric meaning. It can mean anything that is highly injurious or destructive. “I’ll pour this pestilence into his ear,” wrote Shakespeare.
Jesus said that in the last days, the days near His return, there would be pestilence. Other translations make it “plagues,” “epidemics,” “outbursts of disease.” In the Greek, the word is λοιμός (loy’-mos) is clear: it means a plague, disease. Jesus is not speaking metaphorically when He says this. He means things like what we are seeing today. COVID -19 is no surprise to Jesus.
So, if our Lord and Saviour knew these very days would fall upon us, do we not realize that the current crisis can in no way affect His good purposes for His children?
Some 62 years ago C.S. Lewis wrote against panic regarding the atomic bomb. In part, he penned
“It is perfectly ridiculous to go about whimpering and drawing long faces because the scientists have added one more chance of painful and premature death to a world which already bristled with such chances and in which death itself was not a chance at all, but a certainty.
This is the first point to be made: and the first action to be taken is to pull ourselves together. If we are all going to be destroyed by an atomic bomb, let that bomb when it comes find us doing sensible and human things—praying, working, teaching, reading, listening to music, bathing the children, playing tennis, chatting to our friends over a pint and a game of darts—not huddled together like frightened sheep and thinking about bombs. They may break our bodies (a microbe can do that) but they need not dominate our minds.” – C. S. Lewis, “On Living in an Atomic Age” (1948)
God had everything under control three months ago and He has everything under control still today. Take reasonable precautions, but do not be alarmed. By divine protection or by enabling grace God will always be with His children.
What did He say to do when such things as these begin to take place? He said, “When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” (Luke 21:28).
More tomorrow…
thebrokenrunner 
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