COVID Continues to Take Lives
Problems certainly have increased in the life of individuals and nations – and some problems even affect the entire world. COVID is a major one. So often there seems to be no reason for them. They also may occur in waves – a lot of them at the same time. It leads to the question that no doubt many are asking now: “Where is God?” And others may wonder: “Why doesn’t God do something about COVID?”
While the answer may not satisfy some people, and others are bound not to like the answer, it is not a difficult one. All through the Old Testament, God continually used one method to bring His people back to Himself. Although He had blessed them bountifully, and even though they saw countless miracles and deliverances, their hearts still loved to wander away from the one true God.
As they began to forget about God, they also forgot their regular worship services. They forgot about what God had commanded them and soon, love for other things began to replace their love for God and His Book. Things like staying at home, taking care of their crops and farms (or homes), sports, boating, etc. took priority. They also forgot that the true God was the Source of their many blessings. God also kept their enemies at bay; and, when they came against Israel, God helped defeat their enemies.
Since God’s supreme plan was to redeem the world through His people – and only through His people – He could not let this indifference and wickedness go on. It would only continue to get worse. He sent prophets to His people to warn them to repent (turn from their sin back to God). After this failed, He then began to take away some of their blessings. Sometimes they took notice and came back to God. At other times, God had to continue to deprive them of His blessings and He sent pestilences, destroyed their crops, and even allowed their enemies to get victory over them.
God repeated this pattern repeatedly back then. He has used it through all of human history – and He is doing it now. COVID is but one judgment God is using now to try and get peoples’ attention that they might turn back to Him. So many (so-called) believers have forsaken the local church. Many churches have permanently closed for lack of interest. God’s Book often sits on a shelf at home only collecting dust and being completely ignored. The tithe of God’s blessings is kept in the bank or spent on things – often for personal pleasure – and, once again – God is forgotten.
Unfortunately, God is not blind or ignorant. He will visit the sins of His people. People remembered God briefly after 9-11. Churches were suddenly filled again – but just as quickly – they are nearly empty today because God has been forgotten again.
God has given a promise to His people in II Chronicles 7:14: “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”
If you are a believer that has forgotten God, you can turn to Him again today and seek His forgiveness. Why not talk to Him now and be restored. May many be brought back to Him in fresh love and obedience before He must destroy our nation because of wickedness.