God's Sovereignty in Times of Fear

Don’t panic.

Don’t Panic.

Have you ever heard yourself say those words to someone you love who has found themselves in the midst of a life crisis? It is good advice to be sure, but sometimes the person receiving it needs a reason not to panic.

For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. (Romans 8:19-30 ESV)

As we follow the advice of our civic leaders, avoiding large groups in order to reduce the risk of community spread of Covid-19, we must also remember that God is in control. Somehow, though we may not be able to identify how, all of this is meant for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose.

When Paul wrote these words to the Romans, he was reflecting on a reality that has become very clear to us during this time. The creation, which God pronounced good in the book of Genesis, has been subject to futility. In other words, viruses weren’t the original plan. The disobedience of our first parents in the garden unleashed a host of undesirable consequences, among them, are the things in this world that cause sickness. The creation itself has been groaning in anticipation of its healing. As Christians, we recognize that the world has fallen far short of God’s original intention for His creation. We recognize that sickness and injury are a result of the tragic consequences of the fall, and yet God has not left us without hope in the midst of this fallen world. He has sent His Son to redeem us from the consequences of our own sins and also from the corruption of the creation that surrounds us.

There will come a day in which Christ will return and abolish all sickness, injury, and death from those who have received Him. Until then, we trust that our Sovereign God is taking our every life experience, both positive and negative, and working them together for our good. That’ doesn’t mean that everything is good. Viruses aren’t good, cancer isn’t good, chronic pain isn’t good nor are other tragic events like the death of a loved one. God is weaving all of those dark threads together with the brighter ones, the blessings that we enjoy every day, to be part of our life’s tapestry that we present before Christ in glory. God knew us before we were born, He predestined us to be conformed to the image of His Son. He has called us by His Word, justified us by the blood of His Son, and we will stand glorified before Christ when the troubles, tears, and worries of this life have long since passed into ancient history. Don’t panic, this is all just temporary. Until then, let us love one another, care for one another, pray for one another, and do all we can to protect one another.

Grace and Peace,

Brian