There is an assumption in certain Christian circles that somehow believers should be exempt from the problems which come upon us in this life. Because we are saved, we therefore have some special right to not suffer. Some may even think we can command the problems to disappear in the name of Christ !
Now it is certainly true that we benefit in an exceptional way by being in Christ. That we have a certainty and a hope which others cannot know. But to be exempt from what happens in this world is another matter.
The world is witnessing the phenomenon of a nasty virus right now. The ramifications are everywhere. We must all live with the constraints now being imposed to prevent or slow the progress of the virus.
And some will suffer, and suffer death as a result – including some Christian believers. Now I firmly believe that Christians should not be disturbed by what is happening. God has allowed it – though man in his utter foolishness is responsible for its inception and for failing to prevent its initial spread. It’s all the result of sin.
Sin in desiring yet another delicacy to eat brought the disease from animals to human beings. Sin in the suppression of the disaster by the Chinese authorities when the disease was first taking hold. Man’s greed and Man’s Pride have dramatic consequences.
Now Man’s World must suffer the consequences out of all proportion to the original problem because human beings deceive themselves that a problem exists – and in letting the issue fester, they failed to act in time.
That we must now live with the consequences is evident. And that is an opportunity to show the love and forebearance of God in times of duress.
God is concerned to cause us to grow in grace and the knowledge of God. To let go our selfish reactions. To manifest the love of God and the fruit of the Holy Spirit. To be examples of God’s patience and endurance in this world.
Some believers will die, just like any one else. That should not be a problem. Christians have an eternal hope in Christ. They are heaven bound. This life is but a transient phase we must pass through.
As the apostle Paul wrote to the Romans:
FOR NONE OF US LIVETH TO HIMSELF, AND NO MAN DIETH TO HIMSELF. FOR WHETHER WE LIVE – WE LIVE UNTO THE LORD; AND WHETHER WE DIE, WE DIE UNTO THE LORD: WHETHER WE LIVE THEREFORE OR WHETHER WE DIE, WE ARE THE LORD’S.
And to the Philippians he wrote:
FOR TO ME TO LIVE IS CHRIST, AND TO DIE IS GAIN.
But we are not alone in being concerned about the storms of life. The disciples were fearful and worried when a great storm arose as they crossed the lake in a boat. Jesus is recorded in Mark chapter 4, verse 38 as being asleep and unconcerned. But the disciples woke him, fearful for their lives.
At their behest, Jesus calms the storm, and then reproaches them:
WHY ARE YE SO FEARFUL ? HOW IS IT THAT YE HAVE NO FAITH ?
Now, clearly God expects us to calmly endure the storms of this life, patiently entrusting ourselves and our situation to him. Living the life of trust and reliance – ie faith – in Christ. Knowing that however the situation evolves, God knows and that God has our lives in hand.
And yet, we are at liberty to call upon him to act – to save us from ourselves and our fears and doubts.
Clearly it is better to know and to trust that he is in control, even though it sometimes looks to us as though he is not, and that he does not care. He does. And he is constantly there whatever is going on; whatever our emotional reactions to events around us.
But he understands too our frailty – that we are but flesh. And he can be prevailed upon to calm our fears – and even the source of our fears, and make the storm subside.
Christian Preacher
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