Welcome back, my dear friends. We all know, whether we are believers or nonbelievers, that we live in a world of pain and suffering. There is no one who is not affected by the harsh realities of life. As I sit here working on my next lesson, the whole world is caught up in a flu-like pandemic called the Coronavirus, COVID-19. Tens of thousands are dying all over the world.
I feel a need to pause my lesson on “The Anatomy of Sin” and address the question many are asking: Where is God while this is all happening?
This, my dear friend, is one of the most difficult questions to understand in all of theology. God is sovereign. God has the power and knowledge to prevent anything He chooses to prevent, so anything that does happen must, at the very least, be “allowed” by God.
When we speak of the sovereignty of God, we mean He rules the universe. When we say that God is sovereign, we affirm His right to govern the universe which He has made for His own glory, just as He pleases.
“Our Lord and our God, it is right for You to have the shining-greatness and the honor and the power. You made all things. They were made and have life because You wanted it that way.” Revelation 4:11 (NLV)
At the same time, the Bible describes God as offering humanity choices, holding us personally responsible for our sins, and being unhappy with some of our actions. We need to understand the fact that the very existence of sin exists proves that not all things that occur are the direct actions of God, who is Holy.
The reality of human choice (and human accountability) sets the extreme boundary for God’s sovereign control over the universe, which is to say there is a point at which God chooses to allow things that He does not directly cause.
Some of you may be thinking right now, I don’t understand what you are trying to say. That’s OK! We must acknowledge that as human beings, we are not eternal, infinite, or omniscient, as such we cannot expect to fully understand God’s purposes and ways.
The Lord says, “My thoughts are not like yours. Your ways are not like mine. Just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways, and my thoughts are higher than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9 (ERV)
Therefore, we must turn to the one source that can be trusted, God’s Holy Word. It is here that we will find the answers that cannot be found in our finite (limited) intelligence or thoughts.
Because of our finite intelligence and sinful nature, it is natural for us to murmur against afflictions and losses.
- It is natural to complain when we are deprived of those things which we had set our hearts on. We are apt to regard our possessions as ours unconditionally. (Then we lost our jobs and income).
- We feel that when we have arranged our plans with forethought and persistence, that we are entitled to success. (Then we’re quarantined on a cruise ship or vacation spot).
- When by hard work, we have accumulated “wealth and knowledge” and we deserve to keep and enjoy it. (Then comes the collapse of Wall Street and the world economy)
- When we are surrounded by a happy family, no power may lawfully enter the charmed circle and strike down a loved one; and if in any of these cases, disappointment, bankruptcy, or death, actually occur, the perverted instinct of the human heart is to cry out against God. (This is the impact of COVID-19 so far in our lives).
But, as believers by God’s grace, we need to recognize God’s sovereignty, stop such murmuring, and instead, bow to His Divine Will and realize that He has not afflicted us as a sinner as deeply as we deserve.
However, if you still feel a need to murmur and complain, please remember one thing—the silence of God ends, when our silence begins.
So How can we as Humans possibly cope with this pandemic?
We need to follow the example of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He followed the Sovereign Will of God determined in eternity past, without question. He came to earth to do one thing—to die in the most heinous way known to man, crucifixion and death on a cross. Why did he do this, my friend? He did this purely for you and me, so that the Sovereign Will of God’s reconciliation of man to Himself would be accomplished.
Let’s look at the mindset of Jesus as He went through this awful ordeal.
- One of Godly Fear and Respect
While Jesus lived on earth he prayed to God, asking for help from the one who could save him from death. He prayed to God with loud cries and tears. And his prayers were answered because of his great respect for God. Jesus was the Son of God, but he still suffered, and through his sufferings he learned to obey whatever God says. Hebrews 5:7-8 (ERV)
- One of Implicit Obedience
He humbled Himself by being fully obedient to God, even when that caused his death—death on a cross. Philippians 2:8 (ERV)
- One of Entire Submission
I came down from heaven to do what God wants, not what I want. John 6:38 (ERV)
- One of Deep Thankfulness and Joy
Then he was filled with the joy of the Holy Spirit and said, “I praise you, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for hiding these things from the intellectuals and worldly wise and for revealing them to those who are as trusting as little children. Yes, thank you, Father, for that is the way you wanted it. Luke 10:21 (TLB)
Jesus recognized the Sovereignty of God by being respectful, obedient, submissive and deeply thankful for who God truly is. As believers, this is what we must do in order to get through this together. It’s just plain common sense, my friend. We need to let God be God period.
What we must always remember about God:
- His understanding is infinitely greater than ours.
- His plans and purposes are far deeper than our own.
- It is never right to lay a charge of unpredictability against God. Behind every act of God is a loving heart, and He always acts in accordance with His loving nature.
- When we fail to acknowledge His wisdom and His love, it is we who are in error, not God.
So, stop listening to the news 24/7 hoping to find a glimmer of hope. You need to turn to God’s Word for your peace, comfort, and encouragement.
There are more than 3,000 promises from God found in the Bible and these all belong to you. The promises God has given us are not broken into categories (yes, no or maybe), based on how you now act or what you say. They are all answered with a resounding YES in Christ.
So, what’s stopping you? During this time of shelter in place and social distancing, I would find it extremely hard to believe that you can’t now find time for God’s Word.
To survive in these uncertain times, we must change our mindset. Listen to the advice of the Apostle Paul.
And now, brothers, as I close this letter, let me say this one more thing: Fix your thoughts on what is true and good and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely, and dwell on the fine, good things in others. Think about all you can praise God for and be glad about. Philippians 4:8 (TLB)
Let’s foster an attitude of gratitude towards God for what we do have. Remember, my friends, things could be much worse than they are right now.
Hold fast to your faith.
What is faith? It is the confident assurance that something we want is going to happen. It is the certainty that what we hope for is waiting for us, even though we cannot see it up ahead. Hebrews 11:1 (TLB)
I will close my letter by quoting from “The Message” a wonderful paraphrase version of the Bible. The writers have a way of hitting the nail on the head as the saying goes.
He Gets the Last Word
Keep a cool head. Stay alert. The Devil is poised to pounce and would like nothing better than to catch you napping. Keep your guard up. You’re not the only ones plunged into these hard times. It’s the same with Christians all over the world. So, keep a firm grip on the faith. The suffering won’t last forever. It won’t be long before this generous God who has great plans for us in Christ—eternal and glorious plans they are! —will have you put together and on your feet for good. He gets the last word; yes, he does. 1 Peter 5:8-11 (MSG)
Until next time, my friends, may His Mercy, Peace, and Love be multiplied to you.