“What God Uses: Lessons from Covid-19” (Part I)

Scripture: Psalms 46:10 (NKJV)  - Be Still and Know That I Am God  

Have you sensed that the “new normal” foisted upon us by the Coronavirus has magnified more than just the loss of some liberties we’ve previously taken for granted?  For many the immediate fallout has been much more dire, in terms of job loss and illness—many times leading to death. No segment of the population has been exempted from vulnerability.  In light of these stark realities, my prayer is that we Christ followers in the midst of these “global birth pangs” will be compelled to:   (#1) refocus our spiritual eyes on some realities that cannot be shaken—not even by a global health crisis! (Heb. 12:28)

World-wide adversities such as this try our professed faith that He is our “refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”  (Ps. 46:1) Through our relationship with Christ Jesus, we are prompted to reaffirm in the face of changes wrought by Covid-19 to:  (#2) confidently cast all our cares upon Him, thereby banishing the fear that  easily alights on  souls that are strangers from the covenants of promise, and are in this world “…having no hope and without God..” (Ephes. 2:12, 13) Oh, yes, beloved; we’re being reminded that our lives really are just a VAPOR that appears for a little while and then vanishes away, and that we should NEVER presume upon tomorrow; it is simply NOT promised! The Lord our God is reminding us through Covid-19 to preface all our planning with, “If the Lord wills, we shall do such and such.” (James 4:13) In reality “…EVERY man at his best is a mere breath.”  (Ps. 39:5)

We are being taught anew the necessity of: (#3) daily maintaining a profound sense of thankfulness.  If we never quite realized pre-Coronavirus how our Lord detests murmuring, we ought to now repent of our petty complaints about the challenges of our lives—be they people, circumstances, or even the\weather!  Consider the Spirit’s warning in Lamentation 3:39— “Why should any living mortal, or any man, offer complaint in view of his sins?”  We’re to do all things—including the endurance of pandemics—without grumbling or disputing!  One God-ordained replacement of murmuring against this “new normal” is offered in Romans 12:12, which commands God’s people to be “..rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer.”

Prayer:  Dear Abba, We thank You for seasons of adversity which urge us to repent and to restore our focus upon who You are—the Sovereign Holy God of the universe, who determines the times, seasons, and durations of every trial and adversity!  In Your awesome name we pray and give thanks!  Amen!

(by Denise Diggs)