Hebrews 10:35 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward.
36 For we have need of patience, that, after we have done the will of God, we might receive the promise.
37 For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.
38 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.
39 But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.
What many persons are discovering is that there is something such as long covid, whereby some of the after effects of the virus continue long after persons have tested negative, and were supposed to have been recovered. Lingering symptoms such as brain fog, headache, fatigue, and issues with taste and smell, can last in some cases for up to 22 months.
In addition, we find ourselves having to deal with the collateral damage, such as supply chain issues, worker shortages, fatigue of many in the medical community, and the fact that many nurses are now ditching their profession, because of the constant stress of work overload that they are facing day in and day out.
The after-effects have also taken a toll on the food chain, for in some places, processing plants have as much as 50 percent of their workforce out, because of the virus, and as a result, some food companies do not have the labor resources to process chickens into wings, legs and thighs, so they are selling them whole, and Mc-Donald’s has had to ration its French fries in some areas.
In addition to these disruptions, some businesses and churches have been forced to close temporarily because of the virulence of the omicron variant. The constant washing of hands, the disinfecting of many surfaces and the wearing of masks are adding to the inconveniences that are affecting persons, so that in one way or another, we all have had to make some adjustments on some level, to living with covid.
Therefore, for the foreseeable future, we will have to deal with covid over the long haul, but as we’ve stated before, and will continue to emphasize, it is critically important for us not leave God out of the picture, for throughout all of the vicissitudes of life, whether in good times or in bad, Christ must be the center, and the One stabilizing force to preserve our souls and our sanity.
This is not the last pandemic, and omicron is not the last variant, and thus, our mitigation efforts would have to go over, and beyond what the experts are advising. The new abnormal will have to include The God of heaven who has told us that these things are going to be taking place more frequently, and with greater intensity, because this is what the phrase “As a woman travails with child” really means.
Therefore, while the nations are trying their best to weather the storm Christians are to incorporate the God factor in all of our planning, because the just shall live by faith. Conversely, fear crystalizes trust in God and if we were to follow all of the guidelines, restrictions, and precautions being handed down, we’ll find ourselves in very unfortunate situations.
The Bible study for this evening will therefore focus on bringing Christ into the experiences we are now faced with. Whatever the Christian does, it must of necessity include faith in God, because we fight and win our battles using different strategies than what the world uses.
In other words, in addition to the many mitigation efforts that are being advised, in the secular realm, faith in Jesus, and a childlike trust in Him, will help us to deal with any collateral damage brought about as a result of covid. The Bible teaches us of the ways and means whereby we may address the current dilemma. Let’s read:
2nd Corinthians 10: 3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh.
4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds.
5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to obedience of Christ.
Ephesians 6: 10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11 Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith,
wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.
Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Whenever seemingly insurmountable difficulties arise, whether in the temporal, social, marital or spiritual realm, the Christian is to incorporate the foundational element of faith in God, if victory is to be achieved. This is where the secular and spiritual would often part ways, for one is antithetical to the other.
In other words, by using strictly carnal methods and strategies, our problems will often loom larger than they really are, and it is very often the case, that by dwelling on the daunting issues in life, the God of heaven is left out.
The Bible does not teach us that we would not have difficulties; it teaches us several ways and means to navigate such difficulties. However, in every single instance, without exception, faith and trust in God must of necessity be included, for faith is the door through which new opportunities, strategies, and mitigation efforts are to be accessed. Let’s read:
Hebrews 11:29 By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians trying to do were drowned.
As was stated before, there are only so many ways that the secular mind will find to cross the red sea. Without faith, finite limitations would restrict man-made efforts to only sailing, flying or swimming. But faith in Jesus introduces new possibilities, which, in many instances would scare the living daylights out of those who only use “Carnal weapons”.
Faith in God announces that folks can walk across the Red sea. The Egyptians tried to follow the Jews, through the waters; they saw them walking on dry land in the middle of the ocean, and they believed that they could do the same. The only problem is that the Hebrews were walking by faith whereas the Egyptians were walking strictly by sight.
Wherever individuals make decisions and actions based strictly upon what they see or hear, without incorporating the God factor into the equation, it becomes inevitable that defeat, failure, and much perplexity would be the result.
Therefore, wherever this is the case, where God is left out of the picture, the waves that persons face, whether they be waves of despair or waves of some new virus, using carnal, man-made strategies alone would never be sufficient. Some new variant of the problem will arise to frustrate, annoy, or, as was the case with the Egyptians, “Drown”. Let’s read:
Exodus 14:28 And the waters returned, and covered the chariots, and the horsemen, and all the host of Pharaoh that came into the sea after them; there remained not so much as one of them.
And we can go on and on, and we can give several examples of trials, difficulties, problems and hurdles being confronted and surmounted by the faithful in ages past, and we will discover that they all had one thing in common; they did not leave God out of the picture, but rather exercised a living faith in Christ, who has promised. Let’s read:
Hebrews 11:30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days.
32 And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gideon, of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephtha; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets.
33 Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions.
34 Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight, the armies of the aliens.
It is worthy of note that in the passages given above, every difficulty, every hurdle, and every perplexity, was handled by the faithful, using that one common denominator of faith. Yes, it is true that at times the weapons employed included the temporal, such as swords, stones and the other items commonly used by those who didn’t know God.
However, with the Christian, our faith in God has to run as a common thread, throughout the fabric of our everyday experiences, for without it, we will be using what the Bible describes as being carnal weapons. David used five smooth stones and a sling, but the main ingredient interwoven throughout his close encounter with Goliath was faith.
Gideon used trumpets and torches, but the main element in bringing him success was his faith in the living God. Similarly, the Hebrews used horns and they marched around Jericho for several days, but here again, the fundamental element that brought them victory was their faith in God.
The same is true of covid, for some persons might choose to use vaccines, while others may opt to try natural remedies, such as garlic, ginger and other bitter herbs, but at the end of the day, it is our faith in the living God that will sustain us over the “covid long haul”, a fact that we must never lose sight of. Let’s read:
1st John 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcomes the world: and this is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith.
Romans 14: 23 “For whatsoever is not of faith is sin.”
This leads us to the case study for this evening, for the apostle Paul had to live with a thorn in the flesh for many years. Even though the Bible does not say exactly what the thorn was, it obviously presented an ongoing challenge to the apostle, and he found out that he would have to live with it, just like many are discovering that we will have to live with covid.
Yet, Paul did not leave God out of the picture, for he like so many who had walked that road before, saw the necessity, and the value of living with the thorn, and Christ at the same time, and by his attitude and example, he left on the record, the ways and means whereby all who should encounter ongoing physical or spiritual difficulties, are to live victoriously. Let’s read:
2nd Corinthians 12: 8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
As we face daunting challenges, and as we sail into unchartered territory, Christians will be tempted to use and employ only man-made strategies, without that fundament element of the God-factor. This is what is sorely lacking in the public square, as the X-Perts are now discovering that covid would become endemic, and there is a new variant that has just emerged.
As a direct response, big pharma is now working on variant specific vaccines to stave off what is now on the front burner, namely omicron. The problem is that several shots and many boosters have not been able to prevent the viral spread across nations and individuals, and so the question is: Will we look for only man-made strategies, or will we like Paul, seek to include Christ in all of our mitigation efforts?
The Bible does not leave us without answers, for it is an imperative that we walk by faith, if we are to live like conquerors. When decisions and actions are taken in times of difficulty and emergency, without a living faith in Christ, we would certainly err in our conclusions, for whatsoever is not of faith, will lead us into undesirable paths.
[Testimonies vol. 4 pp 26] The Hebrews were weary and terrified; yet if they had held back when Moses bade them advance, if they had refused to move nearer to the Red Sea, God would never have opened the path for them.
In marching down to the very water, they showed that they had faith in the word of God as spoken by Moses. They did all that it was in their power to do, and then the Mighty One of Israel performed His part, and divided the waters to make a path for their feet.
The clouds that gather about our way will never disappear before a halting, doubting spirit. Unbelief says: “We can never surmount these obstructions; let us wait until they are removed, and we can see our way clearly.” But faith courageously urges an advance, hoping all things, believing all things. Obedience to God is sure to bring the victory. It is only through faith that we can reach heaven.
Let us therefore be reconciled to the prospect of having to live with covid and Christ, for the work of the gospel was never intended to be impeded by a plethora of daunting challenges. The preaching of the word and the ultimate fulfillment of the gospel commission would always involve risk at some level, for we wrestle not against flesh and blood.
Let us therefore buckle up our shoes, and gird on the full armor of God, that we may be able to live, and still do God’s work, at a time when many are running for cover. God will grant us grace to deal with, and navigate the arising emergencies, but we also must step up to the plate, and learn to endure hardness as good soldiers of the cross.
We will end with three passages of scripture which would encourage us to keep the gospel commission at the fore-front of our minds, and God will grant us grace to do exploits for Him at a time when morale is low. Let’s read:
2nd Timothy 2: 3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
7 Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.
10 Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
Matthew 24:7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.
8 All these are the beginning of sorrows.
14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
Matthew 16: 18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
God Bless!