A brief word to Christian friends about Covid-19
These are unusual and difficult times and Christian friends may be perplexed and troubled.
People say: ‘Where is God? How can God allow this to happen?’ (Joel 2 v 17)
This is an example of God ‘shaking the earth’ (Job 9 v 6; Psalm 18 v 7). It has happened before (Psalm 106 v 24). It will happen again (Hebrews 12 v 26). By this means, governments and financial systems are being shaken.
In this kind of event we see the anger of God being revealed from the heavenly realm (Romans 1 v 18). We are all encouraged towards a response of humility and repentance in the face of God’s power (Revelation 9 v 20).
Because of the ‘hardness of their hearts’, those who are not persuaded will obstinately respond with anger and further rejection of God (Revelation 16 v 9).
Christians do not exist in a secure protective bubble or live a ‘charmed and protected life’. Outsiders think that they have the upper hand when Christians suffer and they taunt, ‘Where is their God now?’ (Psalm 42 v 3).
However, we do not understand enough about God’s specific and particular provision of our circumstances and situations. Providence is a mystery and we cannot use our circumstances as a guide for our behaviour or as an indicator of God’s approval or disapproval in particular circumstances (Job 37 v 5, Romans 11 v 33).
‘Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time’ (1 Peter 5 v 6)
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