"Winning isn't everything; it's the only thing."
Covid 19
But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you. 2 Thessalonians 3:3Who could have predicted how 2020 was going to turn out? 100,000 people have died from the virus. Everyone is living in lockdown. Much of life has closed down. Even churches are relying on virtual meetings and activities. There are severe financial implications for many. The Olympics have been postponed for a year; Wimbledon, the Master’s Golf and a host more events too. Football (and other sports) have been suspended. I have booked travel to 12 athletics events this year; will any of them happen? Strange times indeed.
Where can we turn for help? In 13 words, Paul reminds us of three promises.
The Lord is faithful. Definitions of “Faithful” include true, reliable, steadfast, loyal. Paul is reminding us that God is there. Jesus Christ is “the same yesterday today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). We have been shocked at how quickly a local Chinese problem has become a global pandemic. But we can be sure that God has not been taken by surprise.
The Lord will strengthen you. We have the promise of God’s presence and comfort. He is a very present help in trouble (Psalm 46). God is walking with us though this time of challenge.
The Lord will protect you. Isaiah reminds us that “the arm of the LORD is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear” (Isaiah 59:1). Whatever our personal challenge with Covid 19, the Lord is able to protect us and carry us through.
Finally a word of caution. I think it is unhelpful to see Covid 19 as God’s judgement. Illness is part of being human – of course we can debate humanity’s part in how our world has been spoilt but that is not really helpful either. Nor should we interpret God’s promises to expect Christians to be exempt from human tragedies. Christians are dying from Covid 19 and Christians are losing loved ones. The promise in 2 Thessalonians should rather help us to see the big picture and to know that God is with us even when it is tough and that in “all things God works for the good of those who love him” Romans 8:28.