During this pandemic, I’ve especially been focusing my thoughts on those many sections in Scripture that speak of God’s love for us. God has refreshed and encouraged me by these passages, reminding me that all of His actions toward His people are rooted in His love. We can see this clearly in the saving work of Jesus Christ, but this also applies to His sovereign control over the events in our lives.
The Bible teaches very clearly that God’s love for us doesn’t spare us the difficult times of life. All you need to do is think of the Biblical examples: Abraham sacrificing Isaac, Joseph sold into slavery, Moses rejected by the Israelites, Naomi’s loss of a husband and two sons, David running for his life, Jeremiah weeping over God’s judgment, Mary stigmatized as an unwed mother, Paul’s many imprisonments and persecutions, along with so many others. Our Lord, Himself, was rejected, scorned, mocked, and killed.
Just as parental discipline often seems “painful rather than pleasant,” so our Heavenly Father’s actions in our lives can be difficult to bear at the time. However, Hebrews 12.11 assures us that “later it [God’s discipline] yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.” It’s those very difficult times – the discipline – that are making us more like Christ. After all, God’s priority is to conform us to the image of Christ, “in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.” (Romans 8.29)
Pandemic, social distancing, church closures, economic downturn, racial injustice, massive protests…it seems circumstances can’t get any worse, and then they do! However, even with all this chaos and uncertainty, we can be sure that God is still in control and His purposes for our good are still on track. This faith in God is what gives His people peace in difficult times. Psalm 125.1 says, “Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever.” Not only does our trust keep us secure and unmoved, but God, Himself, is protecting us: “As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people from this time forth and forevermore.” (Psalm 125.2) This is not some Pollyanna approach to life, for this psalm also speaks of “the scepter of wickedness, those who turn aside to their crooked ways, and evildoers.” It is in the face of unjust rulers, crooks, and evildoers that those who trust in God are unmoved. No wonder this psalm ends with the blessing/command: “Peace be upon Israel”, or, as Eugene Peterson paraphrased it, “Relax!”
Susan and I have needed to hear these truths numerous times over these past few months, and we know that each of you has experienced the same frustrations of quarantine and life interrupted. And, it may not be over yet. We don’t know what the future holds for us, our families, our ministry, or our country.
But, we don’t need to know what’s coming, because we know the One who rules over all of it. While God’s people go through the same events as do the people of the world, we have the confidence that God’s purposes are being worked out and we are assured that none of these things will ever separate us from God’s love.
~ Pastor Steere
