God and Covid 19

Do We Believe that Jesus is Lord?  Let’s Act Like It!!

In his recent “Preaching in Times of Distress,” long-time brotherhood preacher Philip Slate wrote these important words:

Soon after the NIV (New International Version) arrived, I decided one evening to read the entire book of Ezekiel. I was especially impressed by the numerous appearances of the words “Sovereign LORD.” (Later I found no less than 210 cases.). The RSV and ESV render the words “Lord GOD,” but it occurred to me that Ezekiel was, among many other things, reminding exiled Israel that God is in control. He is over all. It appears to me that it is important to preach that truth in any time of national, or even local, crisis.

In similar vein, Jesus was resurrected to become Lord over all:

This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. 33 Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing. 34 For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says,

“‘The Lord said to my Lord,

“Sit at my right hand, 35  until I make your enemies your footstool.”’

36 Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.” Acts 2:32-36

For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord's. 9 For to this end Christ died and lived again, that he might be Lord both of the dead and of the living. Romans 14:8-9

Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him. 1 Peter 3:21-22

Jesus …

1. God’s obedient servant …
2. … dies in humiliation on a Roman cross.
3. … is resurrected in glory.
4. … made Lord of all.

Anyone who can overcome death has to be taken very seriously!!

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the

form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by

taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:5-11

In the present covid-19 trial, let us spend our time looking “to the interests of others.” (Philippians 2:4), knowing that since Christ is Lord of all, and thus in control of this world, we should not be worrying over things that only He can solve.

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. Colossians 1:15-20

If our Lord could do this …

The Lord is at your right hand;

    he will shatter kings on the day of his wrath.

6 He will execute judgment among the nations,

    filling them with corpses;

he will shatter chiefs over the wide earth. Psalm 110:5-6

 

… then covid-19 will present no difficulty at all for Him!!

 

Therefore, let us, as servants of our Lord Jesus, get on with loving God and loving neighbour – filling our days with the good works God created us for, and leaving the virus to Jesus:

 

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:8-10

 

Bondservants are to be submissive to their own masters in everything; they are to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, 10 not pilfering, but showing all good faith, so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour.

11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, 13 waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. Titus 2:9-14

 

Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labour is not in vain. 1 Corinthians 15:58

 

• Steadfast
• Immovable
• Always abounding in the work of the Lord.

 

A L W A Y S ! !      “Knowing that in the Lord your labour is not in vain.”

 

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Romans 8:31-32

God gives us all things to do his will, including the power to do it. He works in us what pleases Him. Philippians 2:12-13; 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12; Hebrews 13:20-21. If we work with Him.

 

David Carr