Love in the Midst of Fear
"How priceless is your unfailing love, O God! People take refuge in the shadow of your wings." (Psalm 36:7 NIV)
If there is one word that would describe the atmosphere these days, it is fear. Many people are afraid. The news seems to be feeding into this fear, by constantly running stories and sound bytes about the growing number of coronavirus cases and the effects of the growth of the virus.
Unfortunately, one trend that seems to feed into the fear is the idea perpetuated by certain pundits, prophets, and preachers that this virus has been sent by God - either as a punishment for sin, or some other sort of "wake up call." Some may claim that God has sent the virus for certain "sins," thus creating more fear by causing fear of certain individuals or groups of people. Some may point to certain verses in the Bible claiming that this pandemic was prophesied, and, again, that it serves the purpose of God venting His wrath or hatred on the world, certain people, or certain groups of people. This, unfortunately, feeds into the stereotypical image many seem to have of God: that He is waiting to strike down in anger or hatred anyone who disobeys or displeases Him. Still others claim that the pandemic is a sort of "wake up" call, that God is using extreme measures to try to frighten us into learning a lesson.
In the first place, not only is it disturbing, but it is also contrary to what the Bible actually tells us. God's nature is love. Not just any kind of love, but unconditional love - He simply loves people, and the whole world, without any kind of requirements. He loves simply because He loves. He is also patient: He is willing to walk alongside us, and remain with us, regardless of whatever else is going on. He does not hate the world: John 3:16 plainly says that He loves the world. Every story in the Bible is a testimony to God's love - shown to His people, and the whole world, time and time again. The ultimate sign of His love was sending His Son to die on the cross, to seal the promise of His love for all eternity by shedding His blood, and rising again to make the promise of His love even more permanent.
If there is any "wake up" call involved, it is to remind us that God is love. We can look forward to Him showing His love for us in special and unexpected ways, even in the midst of catastrophe and disaster. It is also to remind us that God made the world, and so He is actively involved in it. He is even now working to bring an end to the pandemic, and continues to remain active in all history, just as He has always been. He cares. He loves. He loves us - and the whole world.
Dear God, thank you that, no matter what, you love me, all of us, and the whole world. Thank you for showing your love to us, in many ways. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
"How priceless is your unfailing love, O God! People take refuge in the shadow of your wings." (Psalm 36:7 NIV)
If there is one word that would describe the atmosphere these days, it is fear. Many people are afraid. The news seems to be feeding into this fear, by constantly running stories and sound bytes about the growing number of coronavirus cases and the effects of the growth of the virus.
Unfortunately, one trend that seems to feed into the fear is the idea perpetuated by certain pundits, prophets, and preachers that this virus has been sent by God - either as a punishment for sin, or some other sort of "wake up call." Some may claim that God has sent the virus for certain "sins," thus creating more fear by causing fear of certain individuals or groups of people. Some may point to certain verses in the Bible claiming that this pandemic was prophesied, and, again, that it serves the purpose of God venting His wrath or hatred on the world, certain people, or certain groups of people. This, unfortunately, feeds into the stereotypical image many seem to have of God: that He is waiting to strike down in anger or hatred anyone who disobeys or displeases Him. Still others claim that the pandemic is a sort of "wake up" call, that God is using extreme measures to try to frighten us into learning a lesson.
In the first place, not only is it disturbing, but it is also contrary to what the Bible actually tells us. God's nature is love. Not just any kind of love, but unconditional love - He simply loves people, and the whole world, without any kind of requirements. He loves simply because He loves. He is also patient: He is willing to walk alongside us, and remain with us, regardless of whatever else is going on. He does not hate the world: John 3:16 plainly says that He loves the world. Every story in the Bible is a testimony to God's love - shown to His people, and the whole world, time and time again. The ultimate sign of His love was sending His Son to die on the cross, to seal the promise of His love for all eternity by shedding His blood, and rising again to make the promise of His love even more permanent.
If there is any "wake up" call involved, it is to remind us that God is love. We can look forward to Him showing His love for us in special and unexpected ways, even in the midst of catastrophe and disaster. It is also to remind us that God made the world, and so He is actively involved in it. He is even now working to bring an end to the pandemic, and continues to remain active in all history, just as He has always been. He cares. He loves. He loves us - and the whole world.
Dear God, thank you that, no matter what, you love me, all of us, and the whole world. Thank you for showing your love to us, in many ways. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
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