Thoughts about the Corona Virus

All right with those communications behind us, we will open the word of God and tonight I will have some thoughts about the coronavirus that I'd like to share with you in the light of God's word. I began by reading from Psalm 33 behold the eye of the Lord is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his mercy to deliver their soul from death and to keep them alive in famine. Our soul waits for the Lord.

He is our help and our shield for our heart shall rejoice in him because we have trusted in his holy name.

Let your mercy Lord, be upon us just as we hope in you.

I do not need to remind you that we are living in sobering uncertain and frightening times both here in America and all around the world and for that reason, it's all the more important that we turn our attention to the word of God and asked the Lord to help us to think biblically about what is going on so that our hearts will be stayed upon Jehovah, hearts at perfect rest and also to be able to minister to those around us who are uncertain, and these can very well be and I think shall be days of opportunity to minister truth to our friends and neighbors and loved ones. Yes, even members of our own family in order to help us think biblically. I have three questions that I would like to raise and then to answer from the word of God. Question number one is God responsible for the coronavirus question number two. Why is God allowing this question number three what should be our response.

First of all, is God responsible for the coronavirus of the answer is an emphatic yes I'm aware of the fact that there are some Christians who shrink from that biblical answer, but I assure you, it does not help to suggest that God is not the author of what is taking place because to suggest that is to suggest that God is not in control of everything in this universe and of God is not in control and cannot control something like the coronavirus, then were all in trouble and if you have a God concept of God that does not allow you to understand that God is responsible for the coronavirus, then I would suggest to you that your understanding of God is erroneous.

The God that you are endeavoring to worship is not the God of the Bible. He is a God who was far smaller than the God of the Bible and may God help you to adjust your thinking so that you can understand who God is, which is the beginning of any proper relationship with him is God responsible for the coronavirus.

I would say it is undoubtedly true that this is an attack of Satan that doesn't contradict the fact that it is also brought to us by God is an attack by Satan. I have no doubt that it is it is a courier of death and who is Satan.

He is the agent of death. What did Jesus say about him to the religious leaders of his day. He said you are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you will do and then what he was a murderer from the beginning, and a liar.

Those of the two things above everything else that characterized the malicious activities of Satan, death and deception, and of course generally in reverse order, deception that will eventually bring people to death, but he is the agent of death.

He is a he is the murderer.

The first murderer of the murderer from the beginning. According to Jesus Christ and so is this Corona virus and attack by our adversary the devil, of course, it is but but but we also understand Satan can do nothing, except by God's permission God's allowance, God's design.

If you have never studied the book of Job.

It would be good for you to do that and all you need to do is just read carefully the first two chapters to understand what I'm talking about that Satan can do nothing except God allows Satan came before God. They had a conversation God commended the godliness.

The, the sincerity the faith of Job, Satan insinuated that Job only served God because God treated him well and Satan said if you will take away his possessions, if you will take away his comforts and life. Then he will quit serving you. God said oh no, his faith is far deeper than that. And so I give you Satan permission to touch his body to take away his comforts, his wealth and his enjoyments in life. You cannot however take his life.

And so we set up set up barrier as to how far Satan could go, but Satan couldn't even touch Job until God gave him permission. So is under attack by Satan. Yes, but it has been permitted by God and is according to his purposes. Make no mistake about that. Now I will just mention a few texts which will underscore that point out of dozens no doubt scores that I could cite if I had time, but how about this one. Exodus chapter 4. Four. God takes responsibility for physical imperfections. This is God and Moses in conversation. And Moses said to the Lord all my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither before nor since you have spoken to your servant but I'm slow speech and slow of tongue. Moses is trying to get out of his assignment, God just told him he's got up going and represent God to Pharaoh to speak to Pharaoh as well as be a leader to the people of God, 2 million strong. Moses is objecting and saying I can't do that because I can't speak well. Verse 11 so the Lord said to him who has made man's mouth or who makes the mute the death the seeing, or the blind have not I the Lord God takes responsibility not only for what we consider to be the blessings of life, good health, good eyesight, good hearing, but he takes responsibility for the mute. The death, the blind God is as much the author of the one as he is of the other. God takes responsibility for physical imperfections. Furthermore, God takes responsibility for diseases, consider this text in Exodus chapter 15 verse 26, God said to the children of Israel. If you diligently heed the voice of the Lord your God and do what is right in his sight, give ear to his commandments and keep all his statutes.

I will put none of the diseases on you, which I have brought on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord who heals you. Yes, God is the God of healing. He is able to prevent diseases he is able to heal diseases. Everybody believes that, I think it's a Christian but conversely he also gives diseases. He says here that he is the one who put diseases upon the Egyptian I will put none of the diseases on you, which I have brought on the Egyptians who is responsible for disease in the realm of humanity.

God says I am who is responsible for the Corona virus. The biblical answer is God is ultimately God takes responsibility for all kinds of human calamities hear the words of the prophet Amos in chapter 3 in verse six. If a trumpet is born blown in the city will not the people be afraid if there is calamity in the city will not. The Lord have done it if there's calamity in the city will not.

The Lord have done it, who takes responsibility for calamity when the deck falls in a community. God says I do I do and one text from the New Testament. Since all of those were from the Old Testament out. Point your attention to this statement of Christ in John chapter 9 the background for the healing of the man born the blind, and we read in verse one that was Jesus passed by, he saw a man who was blind from birth and his disciples asked him, saying, Rabbi, who send this man or his parents that he was born blind. Jesus answered, neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him, why was he born blind in order to give Jesus an opportunity to reveal the power and glory of God and his healing is what he say here's a man born blind and who lived blind for some decades for one purpose so that in his healing. God might be glorified. Who takes responsibility for his being born blind.

God does who is responsible for the coronavirus guardians we need to understand that question number two. Why is God allowing this coronavirus to happen at this time and I have answer number one and answer number two.

Answer number one no one knows why is God allowing this at this time no one knows because no one knows the mind of God.

No one can know the mind of God except in those specific instances were God chooses to reveal his mind. His thoughts what he's doing and why. And many such revelations are found in the Bible, but we don't have any divine revelation in regard to the present coronavirus. So God has not said nor will he say to anyone. This is why I have brought the coronavirus we don't have that kind of information. No one can say with certainty back when the twin towers were attacked in New York City.

There were some preachers well-meaning but who foolishly said this is God's judgment upon America for and they name specific sense abortion.

For example, another's well is no question in my mind that abortion is a great sin is no question in my mind that it deserves the judgment of God. But nobody can say with any accuracy or certainty that this specific act of falling that the felling of the twin towers in the 3000+ people who died there is because of this specific sin, we can't say that because God hasn't revealed that we can say that about the coronavirus. That's answer number one to the question why is God allowing this but answer number two. There are some reasons suggested in Scripture we find places in Scripture where God declares similar events and tells us why he doesn't tell us why he has brought the coronavirus, but let's listen to at least a couple of examples that are similar in nature. We read, for example, the God brings similar judgments, or at least didn't bring similar judgments in ages past upon the nation of Israel and judgment for their sins. Deuteronomy 28 verse 15 through 22, but it shall come to pass. If you do not obey the voice of the Lord your God, to observe carefully all his commandments and his statutes which I command you today, that all these curses will come upon you and overtake you, you find a great list of these curses in chapter 28 and 27 he says accursed shall you be in the city in person, shall you be in the country accursed shall be your basket and your kneading bowl person shall be the fruit of your body and the produce of your land, the increase of your cattle and the offspring of your flocks. Accursed shall you boot be when you go in accursed shall you be when you go out. The Lord will send on you cursing, confusion, and rebuke in all that you set your hand to do until you are destroyed, and until you perish quickly because of the wickedness of your doing and what you have forsaken me, the Lord will make the plague cling to you until he has consumed you from the land which you are going to possess the Lord will strike you with consumption, with fever, with inflammation, with severe burning fever, with the sword was scorching, and with mildew.

They shall preserve soon you until you perish. We cannot say specifically what God is doing with the coronavirus at this time but we can see a parallel, we can say assuredly that God declares that he will do that very thing or something very similar number of judgments including several that are illnesses and fever mentioned twice in the passage I just read that God will bring such judgments upon the nation of Israel.

If they refuse to obey his commands if they will not listen to his word. I hasten to say it is obviously true that America is not the nation of Israel. We can't have a 1 to 1 parallel between what God spoke to his chosen people of Israel who were in a very very unique position in God's purposes in this world and apply directly to America.

We do see some principles here, we can ignore what God is done in the past, God has said if you willfully sin and persistence in and you can expect these kind of judgments the fall. Who is to say that God could not or would not bring similar judgments in this world today for similar reasons because of disobedience to his word. I cannot say that is what he is doing, but I certainly cannot rule it out. I certainly cannot say what God would never do that.

How foolish to say something like that.

I hear people say things like that God would never do that where you get that information. God has done that. God says he will do that. So how can we say we were blaspheming God or contradicting the Bible we make a statement like that the God would never do that. That is exactly the kind of thing which God does, we have to consider that as a possibility.

Yes, God brings similar judgments because of sin, God brings judgments as an encouragement for people to humble themselves before him to repent of their sins and to renew a right relationship with God. Listen to these words of Jesus in Luke chapter 13 that were present at that season. Some who told him about the Galatians are Galileans rather whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices and Jesus answered and said to them, do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things I tell you no, but unless you repent you will all likewise perish, or those 18, on which the tower and silo and fell and killed them. Do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwell in Jerusalem, I tell you no, but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.

That section deserves some careful consideration it tells us we must not rush to judgment without shall not say that calamity fell upon that person because he was a especially bad center. That's why that happened to him and it hasn't happened to me and that's evidence that I'm not a bad center were not as bad sinners. He is Jesus says don't say that you think that those Galileans failed because they work worse sinners than others. No, no, I tell you no but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.

Does Jesus say that this judgment did not fall upon them because of sin. No, that's not what he saying he doesn't say that he seems to indicate that yes, it did fall on them apart because of sin, but not because they were worse sinners than you are. And unless you repent you will likewise perish. Similar judgment, yes, even a more severe judgment will fall upon you.

Does God bring judgments because of sin, and of course he does. For the 18 on whom the tower and silo and fell and killed them to think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwell in Jerusalem until you know don't you dare say that this calamity fell on so and so on. Somebody that I know it must be because of sin in their life.

It must because of their bad center. They cross the line you can't say that all you can say is we are all sinners. All of us deserve judgment. All of us deserve a similar judgment to what you are viewing what you are are seeing in the life of another person and God says Jesus says to you in unless you repent of your sins, you will likewise perish.

Like the Galileans did like those in Jerusalem did so why is God allowing this could very well be bringing it as a message to get our attention to strike a blow at our pride to cause us to recognize our sinful disobedience to call us to repentance, to call us to a right relationship with him to the Lord Jesus Christ.

Is that amazing a little teeny virus so small that nobody can see it without a microscope is wreaking such havoc now upon. What most of us consider to be the greatest nation upon the face of the earth and bringing us to a standstill crashing on a thriving economy down in what will undoubtedly be a recession. Perhaps even worse, bringing us to a standstill. In fact, two of the greatest nations in the world. China America something so small that we can't even see it that I humble us that a show is how insufficient we are in ourselves that I'll show us the dark wisdom are knowledge or intelligence is not great enough to overcome even the smallest microscopic little organism.

If God sends it to bring us down. It ought to bring us to humility before God. It ought to bring us to repentance. It ought to bring us to seek a right relationship with God through the Lord Jesus Christ. So that brings me to my third question what should be our response. What should be our response number one to acknowledge God's sovereign rule summer hundred and three verse 19 the Lord has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all the Lord has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all everything over shine over America over Italy over Russia over everything his kingdom rules over all he is okay he is sovereign.

He is rightful ruler, and it is time for us to acknowledge that to acknowledge and gladly who could object to that a God who is holding a God who is righteous God do is trust the God who is loving a God who is merciful.

What better ruler. Could we have. Why would we define him, why would we rebel against him.

Why would we object to his right to rulers, we ought to grant gladly embrace that truth and humbly bow at his throne and say, old Lord God, Creator of heaven and earth.

You have the right to rule what you created. You have the right to rule my life and the life of all other people. I bow before your throne.

I humble myself before you acknowledge your sovereign real.

That's our first response. What else number to reassure yourself of God's promises. If you're a child of God. God has many, many promises in his word to reassure us. Maybe the best known is Romans 828 and we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to his purposes is that verse does that promise include you. You have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ saving faith in him you have love for God. Can you say hi, thank God. I can see that by his grace I have been called to be one of his children. According to his purposes. Therefore, I can know with certainty that all things including the coronavirus, all things, including whatever that might seem like a difficulty in my life. All things are being worked together for my good bias, sovereign ruling, raining all-powerful, gracious, loving and merciful God, reassure yourself of God's promises. The songwriter said it so well. You say, what songwriter Samuel Rada guessed who wrote in 1675, whatever my God ordained his right holy. His will or by death, I will be still. Whatever he death and follow where he guided he is my God, though dark my road. He holds me that I shall not fall wherefore to him I leave it all. Whatever. My God ordains his right. He never will deceive me. He leads me by the proper path. I know he will not leave me.

I take content what he had sent his hand can turn my griefs away and patiently by weight his day, whatever my God ordains his right though.

Now this cup and drinking my bitter seemed to my faint heart, I take it all on shrinking my God is true. Each morning a new sweet comfort, yet shall fill my heart in pain and sorrow shall depart, whatever my God ordains his right here shall my stand to be taken those sorrow need or death. The mind yet am I not forsaken my father's care is round to be there. He holds me that I shall not fall and so to him I leave little that's right response acknowledge God's sovereign rule, reassure yourself of God's promises.

Examine your own heart and life before him, is God doing this to get your attention about something then let him have your attention quickly.

Pray for yourself and your loved ones, and your nation in the world and be generous, kind and helpful to those in need. That's what Christians do our God reigns.

There's no reason for Christians to figure this is a time to demonstrate our trust in God. What a God he is, how can we fail to trust him.

This is an opportunity for us to minister truth to those around us who may not know the God of the Bible as we do help them to know who God is point them to the Lord Jesus Christ. This is the time to pray for national revival.

Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his mercy to deliver their soul from death and to keep them alive and famine. Our soul waits for the Lord.

He is our help and our shield for our heart shall rejoice in him because we have trusted in his holy name. Let your mercy Lord, be upon us just as we hope in you, shall we pray, Lord God Almighty you are sovereign ruler of this universe.

It is your right to rule.

According to your wisdom according to your purposes and father.

We know that your purposes are always good, though they may be obscure to us for a while. We know that whatever our God ordains his right. We have learned to trust you with come to know you. We know that you are a God who is filled with love plenteous love whose very nature is love. The God who was plenteous in mercy. Therefore, we bow before you. We accept what you have sent. We pray that it may accomplish good and and sweeping purposes that will turn that many of hearts to you. We pray the Lord for those on our prayer sheet were struggling with special needs at this time.

We pray that you will fill their hearts with peace and with an assurance that our God reigns you are ruling in this universe that you are ruling in this coronavirus prayer Lord that you will give wisdom to men and women in leadership and in the community who are of ourselves foolish. But who can be made wise when you show us your wisdom so teacher so Lord your ways and may we walk in your pants for your honor and glory of the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God, how unsearchable are his judgments and his ways past finding out for who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has become his counselor who has first given to him and it shall be repaid to him for of him and through him and to him are all things, to whom be glory forever and