Time to Turn to God

Because of the pandemic situation in which we find ourselves, people often wonder, “What is most significant for me and my family?”  In what or in whom should I trust?  Should I trust in the national health authorities?  Governmental officials?  Human knowledge?  Should I wait until a vaccine is developed to take care of the pandemic?  What about trusting in a mask to keep me safe?  What about maintaining a social distance of 6-feet from other people? We could turn to all of these things but even so, there is still a certain amount of risk in each of these.

People would probably feel more comfortable if the amount of risk they face was reduced substantially or eradicated all together.  So, here is a good question for us to ask.  Is there anything or anyone that I can turn to in which I can have complete certainty?  What will give me the assurance for which I am searching?

I suggest that we take a look at the Old Testament in the Bible which tells about a king in the land of Israel whose name was Jehoshaphat.  The Israelites discovered that enemy forces were coming together against them.  In fact, these enemy forces turned out to be a huge army.  We are told that Jehoshaphat's first response to the imminent invasion was that of being alarmed.  He was afraid for himself and his people.  However, what he chose to do was to pray to God and then ask the people of Israel to fast and join him in prayer.  In Jehoshaphat’s prayer he said, “We have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you” (II Chronicles 20:12).

In this prayer Jehoshaphat identified three things that were extremely important for the Israelites and and for him.  He suggested that (1) Human power was inadequate.  As a result it would be useless for anyone to turn to this kind of power.  (2) Knowledge would be insufficient.  As much as knowledge helps in other situations, by itself it would not be enough to defeat a huge army.  (3) The correct person to turn to was God.  To turn to God - the One who has divine authority and is omnipotent (all-powerful) - was the right choice.  Jehoshaphat turned to God because God had helped Israel with His great power in the past and He surely would do so again.

One of the priests of Israel encouraged Jehoshaphat not to be afraid or discouraged because of the great difficulty the nation was facing.  The reason, he reminded him, was simply because the battle was not theirs but it was God’s.  This did not mean that the Israelites were to stay in their tents, cover their heads and avoid the battle altogether.  He told Israel that they were to take up their positions and stand.  In other words, they were to get ready for battle.  Even with battle-readiness the Lord would be the one to deliver them – and He did.

Keeping our eyes on God and placing our trust in Him is the only action that will give you and me complete assurance and confidence during troubled times. Maybe it is about time for us as individuals, and as a country, to turn to God.

God is at Work

Many people who claim to be Christians are aware of a familiar verse in the Bible which says, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).  This verse suggests three things: (1) God is at work, He does not stand in the background and leave us on our own.  He doesn’t fold his arms, smile and say, it’s your problem, not mine.  (2) God is at work in all things. When good things happen to us we feel blessed of God and encouraged.  But we forget that when bad things happen to us, God is still at work through them.  (3) God’s work is specifically related to those who love Him.  What a joy it is to know that as God’s children, His love for us is so great that He continues to work.

Could it be possible that God is at work in the Covid-19 pandemic? Does God even know what is going on? Is He aware of what we are going through? How could God allow a pandemic happen where people are getting sick and some are dying? We should be aware that this pandemic has not taken God by surprise.  He is sovereign.  That means that He is the ruler of the Universe and as such He is free and has the right to do whatever he wants to do. Psalm 115:3 reminds us that, “Our God is in heaven; he does whatever pleases him.” If God allows a pandemic such as Covid-19, does that mean His desire is to bring harm to us? The answer to that question is found in Jeremiah 29:11 which says, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” God wants us to succeed, grow and flourish. He doesn't want to hurt, damage or injure us.

So, what exactly is the purpose of Covid-19? To be honest I cannot fully answer that question.  However, I do know that God allows things such as major disasters to get our attention and help us focus on eternal things.  The most important eternal thing for us should be to have a personal relationship (a life-sharing union) with God. It is no secret that as a society we have strayed far from God. A good thing that can come from this pandemic is for us to return to Him.  Maybe God wants us to stop trusting in ourselves, or quit trusting in things, more than we trust in Him. Proverbs 3:5-6 makes it clear, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” This verse reminds us that we need to trust God and whole-heartedly submit to Him.  It also means that we ought to be wary of trusting in ourselves or trusting in what man can do.

What about you?  Are you resting in the fact that God is at work?  Do you trust that God is in control?  Are you aware that God knows what is going on?  Let me remind you again that God is at work.  He is in control and He knows what is going on.  Let’s put our trust in Him and rely on Him to give us strength during this trying time.