Last week I tried to encourage with the truth that we can trust God during these uncertain times because He has foreknowledge, He loves us, and that love for us is unchanging because He is unchanging. Today I wish to encourage with another truth unaltered by these or any other difficult days…God is good, all the time!
There are those who might question…Did God cause the Corona virus and Covid19? My view is that He did not, but rather it is a result of living in a profoundly fallen world begun and perpetuated by the entrance of sin. It is however, also my view that God being the good God that He is will not fail to use it for our good if we will allow it.
Romans 8:28 states that “All things (even corona virus and economic shutdown) work together for the good of those who love him and are called according to His purpose”. I know there may be a few who are thinking “Really Ken…what good could possibly come from this…and how would we even know when that good had occurred”? to which I would respond, “Let’s read verse 29 and see”. Romans 8:29 states “For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many [brothers and sisters]”.
The good that will come from this pandemic or any other perceived negative occurrence in our lives is that through it we may become conformed to the image of His Son! This is the best news of all in anything that seems to us to be bad. God can…and desires to use these events in our lives to make us more Christ like. Why? So that we can be considered part of the family, a member of the overcomers, the ones who triumph over the negative circumstances because our ‘Big brother’ has overcome the world.
Becoming more like Christ…especially in times we might think problematic does several things. It is evidence of who is Lord of our lives, which brings us peace. It also spurs us to act toward others with His love, which brings them help. Finally, it allows us to walk in that love and peace during troubling times which brings others hope…hope that there is in fact a good God after all.
This good that is possible for all who know God is why James was able to say that we can take joy in trying times. James 1:2-4 states, “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing”. God never promised that He would turn all bad things into good things…but He has promised to use all bad things for the good of his people as through them we become more like our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!
I know that this trying time has had differing results for many, some have lost their jobs, some have lost their health and some have even lost their loved ones to this terrible virus. It all seems so unfair at times…but know this…Your Heavenly Father wants to create a response to it all in you that is good for you. Why, because He loves you so much that He wants you to experience the goodness of His presence no matter what trouble may be present.
Pastor Ken