[284 words]
Over the centuries, the enemies of God’s people have sought to harm the Lord’s family. Today, we are fighting a virus instead of soldiers. Our weapons are good sanitation and medical practices. But our greatest munition is our faith in God. Jesus Christ is the Great Physician (Luke 5:17-32).
The most dreaded disease of Jesus’ day was leprosy. With just a word of command, Jesus healed those with this disease instantly (Luke 5:12-13). Another man was stricken by an ailment for 38 years. Again, with a word of command, Jesus instantly healed this fellow when no medical doctor could (John 5:1-11). These healings are just two of many examples of God’s power over disease.
Sometimes, God chooses not to heal people instantly. In our human way of thinking, we accuse our Lord of being unloving. The truth is, He has a plan to create good out of the bad. Today, we hear about the selfishness of others as they hoard supplies that others need. On the other hand, the news is filled with those who are giving of themselves to help others. Whenever plague comes, it separates the bad from the good, the selfish from the selfless, the non-believer from the faithful. Perhaps that is why the coronavirus is infecting our world … it is a call to return to the values of our past. It is a call to return to God through Jesus Christ.
Remember God’s promise to you: “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand” (Isaiah 41:10, NLT).
Larry Fitzgerald
Woodlawn church of Christ
Abilene, TX