Lately, I’ve been interested in observing how the local churches are reacting to the coronavirus pandemic sweeping through the United States. Of course, however the churches respond to this crisis they will be criticized. I don’t mean to offer any further criticism because that is not my place. I would rather offer the local church the encouragement that comes from being reminded of who you are. In our contemporary norms of peace and plenty, many of our churches have fallen into the lull of competing with the world we live in. Because of this, worship can feel more like a performance, the message can be about making my life more enjoyable for me, and the community of the church becomes one of many other social options available. While hoping to attract the unchurched by making them comfortable, some of us in the Church have adopted the ways of the world and we have strayed dangerously close to the edge of forgetting the God-given nature of the Church.
Maybe during this pandemic, we can see the Church more clearly in this crisis than we could see it when all was calm. We know that the Church is not a creation of mankind. We know that the Church belongs to Jesus Christ, and because it is his Church, it should stand in contrast to the institutions and cultures of this world. In light of the panic that is sweeping this nation and now affecting the Church, I thought it might be helpful to remind ourselves that the Church should not join in the national panic.
The Church does need to be occasionally reminded of where her security comes from. One of the best examples of this comes from Isaiah 6. The Kingdom of Judah had just lost King Uzziah. He had been king for 52 years. He was a military genius and fought off all of Judah’s enemies during his lifetime. During his prolonged reign, Judah enjoyed great peace and prosperity. His reign was the greatest since King Solomon. During his reign, the Kingdom of Judah was at the height of its strength. However, Isaiah 6 opens with the death of the king, the end of his reign, and the sense of loss that came with his absence. Who would protect the Kingdom? Who could fight the wars, defend the borders, and provide for peace? There were already rumors of an impending Assyrian invasion! If Judah had a stock market, it was crashing. The buzz on the street was panic. I’m sure that many were hoarding essentials to prepare for whatever they were imagining would happen. It was during that time of uncertainty and insecurity that Isaiah says, “In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord…” (Isaiah 6:1). While the people of Judah were disoriented by their lack of a king, the prophet Isaiah had a vision of the one true King of Judah.
Right now, the Church needs to be like Isaiah and see Jesus. We need a clear revelation of Jesus in complete control as Creator, Sustainer, Judge, King and Savior. Let the waves of pandemic panic crash with no effect on the rock of our God. In his presence the hills melt like wax. Isaiah saw God unflinching upon the throne of his authority, reigning in complete calmness. God was unchallenged by the death of King Uzziah, and God remains unchallenged in our day. Our God does not panic. The Body of Christ does not panic.
Perhaps, the people of Judah had grown accustomed to the military prowess of their king. It could be that they had slowly over time placed their trust in his ability to lead their armies and direct the fight for their protection. Maybe they had forgotten the God that gave their king his strength and when their king was no more, they found their trust misplaced and they began to panic. I believe this pandemic has found that many of us have misplaced our trust. When we misplaced our trust, we panicked like people who lack a clear revelation of the One Who Holds It All Together.
If during this time of testing you have lost heart, surrendered to worry, been led by anxiety, or maybe relied on your best efforts, repent. Confess that sin to God. Turn your mind and heart to him and take a long thoughtful look at your God. Look in the Word and find him. Pray to him. Worship him. Let the knowledge of your God saturate you. Remember the mighty things that you have experienced God do in your life. Recall them. Let these events create a testimony of his greatness in your life. Sing to him of his love and salvation. Celebrate his limitless grace and mercy.
One of the fruits of our national panic is greed and hoarding. While the Church does not panic, it is also not greedy by nature. The days of preparation for this virus were marked by hoarding and price-gouging which resulted in shortages and people going without the essentials. Christ’s Church is not greedy but giving. Our nature is to be generous to those in need around us. While everyone around us is hoarding resources, Christians sacrificially give in the name of Jesus. It is vital during this time to continue to give to your local church even if you are unable to meet like you used to do. If the Church is to continue in its God-given mandate, it will need your support.
I agree with the words of A. W. Tozer, “a scared world needs a fearless church.”
Heavenly Father, please give us a vision for a fearless church. Help us to be fearless individuals who have been emboldened by your sacrifice on the cross. Still our panic by allowing us to see you sovereignly reigning above all in your holiness. Let our strength be in the assurance of your absolute authority over all. Let our calm become the cup you fill with your wisdom for this hour of need. As we isolate to combat this virus, we ask you to lead us into this next season of the Church. Show us how you would want us to serve each other and this hurting world. Help us to herald the saving Gospel to every lost soul on this earth. May your glory extend from sea to sea, and your name be lifted up and praised on every tongue. We pray that your Church becomes so impassioned with your mission that nothing else matters to us but your glory. We cry out to you Lord. You are our help and our salvation. Our hope is in you. Amen
Blog by Todd Simmons