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| The Covid Cloud? |
'I know that my Redeemer lives and at the last He will take His stand on the earth.' Job 19:25
There are times when God is silent. I am afraid these are such times.
The whole world is living under a cloud; the unrelenting devastation of Covid-19 upon this earth. This pandemic affects health, mortality, economy, livelihood and life itself, of every human being on this planet. Just when we think that the spread of infection was controlled, the virus rears its ugly head again with new variants.
There is untold suffering. Those affected must have asked Why God? We search for answers, for reasons but God is silent. This pandemic has gone on for over two years unabated. Unanswered prayer but this is not the first nor will it be the last time when God will choose to remain silent.
Consider the Apostle Paul's 'thorn in the flesh' which God did not relieve despite much prayer. In the end, Paul was prepared to resign to God's will
'He said to me, "My grace is enough; it's all you need. My strength comes into its own in your weakness." Once I heard that, I was glad to let it happen. I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift. It was a case of Christ's strength moving in on my weakness.' 2 Cor 12:9,10 (The Message)
Remember Job? Job was a rich and righteous man. Then for reasons unknown to him, he was struck with one calamity upon another. It left him in ruins and devastated his health, wealth, family and even his appearance. Four friends who visited, purportedly to comfort, ended up accusing him of grievous sin for such a severe punishment to befall him. Job searched for a reason for his sufferings but for a long time God was silent.
Today there must be many families who are suffering greatly from this pandemic. Like Job they may be aggrieved that God is distant
'Though I cry, "Violence!" I get no response; though I call for help, there is no justice.' Job 19:7
The unrelenting pressure can break some of us.
'Yet when I hoped for good, evil came; when I looked for light, then came darkness. The churning inside me never stops; days of suffering confront me.' Job 30:26-27
Faced with this pandemic, it will help us to consider Job's situation. Job went to the brink but he did not break. The bible recorded this
'Not once through all this did Job sin; not once did he blame God.' Job 1:22
Charles Swindoll said, "When flat on our backs, the only way is to look is up. It worked." (Ref 1). Even though we may face the darkest of night, even though God seem not to answer us, let us keep faith in Him. Finally God will have His day, finally He will have His say. As Job said,
'I know that my redeemer lives and that in the end He will stand on the earth.' Job 19:25
This great assurance has been culturally immortalised by George Frideric Handel's in the third movement of Messiah a masterpiece, I Know that My Redeemer Liveth
I know that my redeemer liveth
And that he shall stand
At the latter day, upon the earth
I know that my redeemer liveth
And that he shall stand
At the latter day, upon the earth
Upon the earth
And though worms destroy this body
Yet in my flesh shall I see God
Yet in my flesh shall I see God
I know that my redeemer liveth
For now is Christ risen from the dead
The first fruits of them that sleep
Of them that sleep
Covid-19 pandemic will pass. Many may think that it will forever affect us and that we have to adjust to a new post-Covid normal. I hope not. Why? Because the Lord will hear us, He will not stay silent forever; He will heal and as Job said at the last He will take His stand on this earth.
In the words of a modern praise song by Bob Fitts The Lord Reigns!
The Lord reigns, the Lord reigns
The Lord reigns
Let the earth rejoice
Let the earth rejoice
Let the earth rejoice
Let the people be glad
That our God reigns
A fire goes before him
And burns up all his enemies
The hills melt like wax
At the presence of the lord
At the presence of the lord
The heavens declare His righteousness
The people see His glory
For You oh Lord are exalted
Over all the earth
Over all the earth
Lionel
Ref 1: Charles Swindoll. Job, A Man of Heroic Endurance. Thomas Nelson 2004
