Why A Virus? Why A Crown?

Why A Virus? Why A Crown?

With all that the world is dealing with right now with the Covid-19 virus it seems like we all need to evaluate our response to the unknown. With the guidelines being set from the local, state and federal government, we know that many of the advantages of living in a free society have to be curtailed for the sake and safety of everyone involved. We are at a place in some respects where the desire for the world to slow down has taken place. Now we must address how we live in this time where contact with others is limited and events we participate have been cancelled till further notice.

While some people are hopeful and taking things in stride, others are panicking. Some are using common sense to stock up on supplies while others are going overboard and buying things based on their fear.  For those sick and dying this virus smacks with reality. For those well and feeling invincible, this virus may just be a nuisance getting in the way of their daily routines and earthly pleasures.

The issue is this, we are all affected by the virus in some way, shape or form and we must consider how to deal with life when we are powerless and feel out of control.

Maybe the key is that when it comes to viruses, diseases, sickness and death we need to remember that as the result of the original sin, known as the “Fall”, God's perfect creation here on earth has changed. Therefore, our mortal bodies experience aging, sickness, disease, and death. Because we all get sick physically and in many cases spiritually, we must find a way to cope with our fear, suffering and brokenness.  

There are really two ways we can live out our existence. We can acknowledge that God is in control or that He is not.  If He is than this virus is no surprise to Him and He is using it for some significant eternal purpose.  If God is not in control, or for that matter does not even exist, than everything really has no eternal purpose and we are all wasting our time thinking that life has any meaning at all.

That is why I am telling you now to take time to evaluate eternal matters, and take seriously life and death. For those who believe in the God of the bible and have given their lives over to Jesus, there are great promises for them to hang their lives on to. For them, God’s power, His kingship and Crown, rule over all things even the Covid-19 Corona Virus. While many feel alone and afraid, those who put their trust in Jesus, their King, know they are eternally secure and have hope now regardless of the difficulties going on around them.

The one thing that followers of Jesus can count on is that they don’t have to walk through life’s physical and spiritual difficulties, and tragedies, alone. God promises to renew their strength. He promises that He won’t abandon them in their times of trouble.

Isaiah 40:31 (New International Version 1984)

but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.

Psalm 46:1 (New International Version 1984)

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.

Deuteronomy 31:8 (New International Version)  

The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

Matthew 11:28-29 (New International Version)

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

Along with the troubles Christians or for that matter anyone faces, we all at some point will have to deal with the unknown. The unknown  we face causes fear, despair,  and even a broken spirit. This can actually be a positive in the life of a person struggling to gain perspective and direction because it may cause them to turn back toward God who encompasses real truth and proper eternal perspective.

It is human nature for us to want to be in control of our lives. We want to direct our own paths so we can experience what we think are the ultimate in pleasure and success. However, God has carved out a path for our lives that has an eternal purpose, and He wants to take the lead in directing us toward the life and work He has prepared in advance for us to do. He wants us to experience life with Him, not apart from Him. So, when God tells us that He has a plan for our lives, we can be assured that it is a good one and one that will track in a way that fulfills His good purpose. He may even use a virus to get us to turn back to Him.

Scripture that confirms God's greater plan for us:

Ephesians 2:10

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Jeremiah 29:11 (New International Version 1984)

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. 

 Romans 8:28 (New International Version)

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.

Philippians 2:13 (New International Version) 

for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.

This plan includes our salvation:

John 3:16 (TLB)

For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son so that anyone who believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 

Because God has given us the freedom to make choices, we can either seek God’s direction or not. However, trusting in God has its benefits. For instance God promises to make our paths straight (Direct our lives in accordance with His will) :

Proverbs 3:5-6 (New International Version 1984)

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight  

Jesus promises that in Him we can find peace:

Philippians 4:6-7 (New International Version) 

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

 God promises to provide a way out of temptation:

1 Corinthians 10:13 (New International Version)

No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

Those are just a few examples of God promises. 

There are many more promises that God makes to those who become followers of Jesus’.

Here is a list followers of Jesus can embrace:

Love

Wisdom

Courage

Strength

Confidence

Faith 

Provision

Grace

Forgiveness

Eternal life

Peace

Rest

Compassion

Reconciliation

Redemption

The Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit as a sign and seal of our salvation

Inheritance 

Maturity

Hope

Perseverance

Comfort

Discipline

Even with all these promises we must believe God is trustworthy:

Numbers 23:19 (New Living Translation)

God is not a man, so he does not lie. He is not human, so he does not change his mind. Has he ever spoken and failed to act? Has he ever promised and not carried it through?

Joshua 23:14 (New International Version 1984)

 “Now I am about to go the way of all the earth. You know with all your heart and soul that not one of all the good promises the LORD your God gave you has failed. Every promise has been fulfilled; not one has failed.

So when we put our faith and trust in God, He will direct our paths and He will fulfill the promise to give us a hope and a future. The proper perspective on God’s trustworthiness should be; we can experience joy now, because God has an eternal plan for His children. He has prepared a place in heaven for those who receive His gift of faith. And for those who believe in Jesus’ work on the cross, sin is forgiven and they are now reconciled back to God. The reason why this promise is an eternal hope is because our physical bodies will breakdown and perish but our spiritual bodies will be raised and live for all eternity with God.  Also, in heaven there will be no more death and suffering. With this eternal perspective in mind we can persevere through life even though we are faced with the reality of death, brokenness and suffering in a fallen world. Remember, this life is not all there is.

The Bible describes our Future in Heaven:

Revelation 21:4 (New International Version) 
He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

It is important to remember that it is God’s desire that everyone be saved from the consequences of the eternal effect of unrepentant sin which can separate us from a Holy God for all eternity.

2 Peter 3:9 (New International Version 1984)

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 

God makes this promise to His people:

Jeremiah 29:12-13 (New International Version 1984)

Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

I like this version of the same verse as well:

Jeremiah 29:12-13 (The Message)

"When you call on me, when you come and pray to me, I'll listen. "When you come looking for me, you'll find me. "Yes, when you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else, I'll make sure you won't be disappointed." God's Decree. "I'll turn things around for you. I'll bring you back from all the countries into which I drove you"—God's Decree—"bring you home to the place from which I sent you off into exile. You can count on it.

The above verse assures me that when I sincerely call on God He will listen. That He has the power to turn my life around. That He desires to bring me back from my self-imposed separation and exile resulting from my sinful   desire to do life apart from Him. Even though these promises were initially made for Israel, God’s Word is alive and active and will speak to us if we have ears that are willing to listen and take to heart what He is trying to tell us.

Hebrews 4:12 (New International Version 1984)

For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. 

There are times when I try to impose my own will and try to carve my own path even though I know God has a better plan for me. When I struggle with God on this issue I have learned that He will allow me to suffer the consequences of my decisions to do life apart from Him. He knows that in my case, this is how I will learn the hard lessons of a life that has not died to self-interest yet.

God is actually being merciful to me by allowing me to feel the weight of my own sin because He knows that my spirit will come to a point of brokenness. At that point, when I am on my knees, God knows I will turn back to Him in humility and weakness of spirit. God shows me His amazing grace through His forgiveness of my less than loving actions and transgressions which affect my relationship with Him. God lovingly redirects my life. And in my humility and reverence to God who is gracious enough to continually forgive me, I will submit to His will and surrender my own desires for His. It is often that after confession and repentance, God will lead me back on the road to real abundant life. Sometimes He will make me wait patiently in anticipation of doors being opened based on His timing of events and the master tapestry He is weaving to complete His perfect plan.    

I have learned that God’s power is made perfect in my weakness and I need God’s power in my life to be able to live in abundance in a fallen world. Through God's power and not my own will I truly live a life that is filled abundant truth, love, joy and eternal perspective

The truth is, God’s grace is sufficient for us and His power will work in us when we are at the point when we realize that we are fearful, weak and broken. We need to get to that point where we realize our great need for Him to intervene in our circumstances. We need to get to that place where we are ready to receive what He has to offer. There have been so many times that I have tried to handle difficult circumstances in my own strength and through my own limited perspective. Those times have been costly because I did not handle myself well. I had a tendency to get angry, despair, and lose hope, causing other people to get hurt in the process. I realize that I need the discernment, direction, strength, and comfort that only the Holy Spirit can offer. In order to not revert back to my old self and habits which are not representative of a man who has set his life apart to God, I need to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Through the Holy Spirit I put on the new self, and live out being a new creation in Christ.

So how do I cope with fear, despair, suffering and brokenness?

It is through my faith in God’s promises and the teaching of His Word that I am provided with the confidence that God is in control and has a good plan for my future. It is with the Holy Spirit that I can be transformed and know the steps to take in order to live a life set apart to God. The Holy Spirit provides me with the strength, guidance, discernment and wisdom I need to live in abundance. I know that God has promised, the best is yet to come. I know that Jesus provides the peace I need even when circumstances weigh heavily on my spirit.

I love that Jesus gives us hope and tells us the truth about life:

John 16:33 (New International Version 1984)

 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” 

So even when I am broken I can be at peace because God is greater and more powerful than all my problems combined. Jesus has made it possible for me to be intimately connected to God through the Holy Spirit. With the Holy Spirit filled in me, I am a different person in attitude and perspective.

Remember this:

The Holy Spirit provides the strength we need to get back on our feet; actually to get back on our knees. At the point when we show our reverence to God, and ask Him to revive our spirit, He moves in a powerful way to restore us back to Himself and to give us the strength and courage we need to deal with life.

Jesus said this:

Matthew 5:3 (The Message)

"You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule. 

So we can cope with life in a fallen world by living a life set apart to God, a Spirit filled life. 

When we live surrendered and dedicated to God’s will, we will be transformed.

When we are transformed we can have the proper perspective on suffering. brokenness and deadly viruses.

God has a good purpose even when there is fear, suffering and brokenness. The good news is that He is always ready to comfort us and minister to our hearts and minds when our perspective is limited and our eyes cannot see the light through the darkness. God is always working for the cause of His good purpose.

Romans 8:28 (New International Version 1984)

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

The problem is this: we don’t always reach out to God when we are struggling with our deepest and darkest pain. Even though we have a Comforter, the Holy Spirit, we choose to prescribe our own medication to make the pain go away. And when the pain doesn’t go away, there is a tendency to medicate ourselves even to the point of self-destruction, believing the only way to remove the pain is to no longer be able feel it.

Many have gone this route and it is sad to see the destructive power of ones decision to take matters into their own hands leaving in the wake many who bear the sorrow of one’s painful destructive choices. The key word is choice and some make the choice to no longer suffer even though there are still other hopeful avenues to take.

Even when the odds seem stacked against us, even when we are suffering and have a broken spirit, we need to take to heart this promise from God which held true for Joshua and will hold true for us today.

Joshua 1:5 (NLT)

No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. For I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will not fail you or abandon you.

God says:

He will never leave us nor forsake us. (Joshua 1:5)

God has a plan:

To give us a hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11)

The Good News:

God loves us and sent Jesus to rescue us! (John 3:16)

Remember this truth: no one can separate us from the love of God:

Romans 8:38-39 (NIV)

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

So, how can we cope with our fear, despair and the unknown? 

God’s promises and the Holy Spirit given to us by God will help us cope with fear, suffering and all this brokenness we experience in this fallen world!

I have learned that there is still hope even when I begin to lose it. Take these 2 passages below to heart when you are struggling and need supernatural help and strength.

Isaiah 40:31 TLB

But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

Philippians 4:6-7 NIV

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Eternally speaking, only a Spirit filled life in Christ can bring real hope. For He wears the Crown and is the King over all our circumstances! 

Blessings……………….Dave