LOOK TO CHRIST, NOT TO THE CRISIS
“But Jesus spoke up at once: “Take courage! It is I. Do not be afraid.”( Matthew 14:27)
As I write this note, India has entered the third week of its 21-day nationwide lock down imposed by the Government to reduce the spread of the corona virus in the country. We are living in a different world to the one we were a month ago. No disease or virus has in recent history infected so many thousands and killed so many in the world within a short span of time. In the face of this pandemic, many of us feel helpless in the fight against it. Even governments around the world realize how inadequate they are in handling this spread of the virus or to prevent death. We don’t know what we’re going to face coming days and moths. But God says: “Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.” (Psalm 46:10)
In our spiritual walk we all will experience many trials, sufferings, and challenges. But “His mercies are new every morning.” (Lamentations 3:23) When we are going through a trial or a valley season, it’s a time of closeness with the Lord. When Apostle Paul begged God to take away his thorn (whatever it was), God said this to him: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9) Yes God’s power is greatest when we’re at our weakest as Paul said “For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.”(Philippians 4:13)
One reason why God has permitted this world to be an uncomfortable place to live in- is so that people may turn to Him in their distress - so that He might sanctify and bless them. Bible says “But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness towards us in Christ Jesus.”— (Ephesians 2:4–7). God has made us seated far above sin, depression, ignorance and blindness and far above every virus or threat. We are in Christ today. Life becomes wonderful when we see that God has a purpose - a glorious purpose - in everything He permits to come into our lives.
God works all things together for our good - the good being that we might be conformed to the likeness of His Son Jesus. Therefore if we could see things from God’s perspective – then we’d see that it has perfect bend and balance. As the Apostle Paul said “Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely.” (1Corinthians 13:12)
Every crisis we face in life with is a turning point . . . for better or worse. The decision for better or worse . . . is ours. In fact, Romans 8:28 in the Amplified Bible tells you everything you ever need to know about whatever crisis you will ever face . . . when it says: We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose.”It’s important to understand that crisis will come and go . . . just like the changing tide of the ocean. John 16:33 Jesus said: “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” We have a choice. We can have His perfect peace or whether to live with distress and frustration. Make a quality decision that no matter, nothing can separate us from God’s love as Romans 8:37 say: “No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.”
Even though we grieve for those who have lost their lives or loved ones, From God’s perspective, that life is not lost. Life is not lost to the One who can restore it. Read what Paul says in Romans 8:18: …For I consider that the sufferings of this present time (this present life) are not worth being compared with the glory that is about to be revealed to us and in us and for us and conferred on us! God uses our present suffering to prepare us for future glory. God uses pain to get our attention, to discipline us that we may share in his holiness and grow in godliness. (See Hebrew 12:7-11, James 1:2-3, Romans 5:3-4).
Looking to Christ, not to the crisis, is a timeless principle in Scripture. When the world needed a Savior, Christ appeared. When the disciples thought that the storm will destroy them, Jesus came to them walking on the water. They shouted in fear thinking it was a ghost, but He assured them: ‘It is I’ He is the Christ of every crisis! He rebuked the wind and the waves and calmed the troubled sea. They reached the other shore safely because Christ Jesus was in their boat.
When Lazarus died, his sisters and other people mourned. But on the 4th day Jesus came to them and said: ‘I am the Resurrection and the Life. If you believe you will see the glory of God!’ He commanded the people to roll away the stone from Lazarus’ grave and commanded the dead man to come out. Lazarus was raised from the dead and people believed in Jesus. God anointed Jesus of Nazareth who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed of the devil for God was with Him. He stepped into the crisis of people and performed miracles to save and heal them. When people were stuck in a crisis Jesus had compassion on them and healed them.
When 5 000 people had no food Jesus took a boy’s lunch and broke the bread and fish and fed them all. There were 12 baskets full left over. When Jesus died they buried him and sealed the tomb with a great stone. But on the 3rd day, God raised Jesus from the dead and a great earthquake came and angels rolled away the stone. Jesus rose triumphantly from the grave to be the first man resurrected from the dead and never to die again! He is alive for evermore! He is the resurrection and the life! If you believe in Him, you will never die.
When Peter and the disciples went back to fishing after Jesus was crucified, they could not catch any fish. They fished all night but it was in vain. In the morning Jesus appeared on the beach and asked them if they caught anything. They answered: ‘no Lord, we caught nothing!’ Jesus commanded them to throw the net out on the other side and they would catch many fish. They obeyed His Word and had a net-breaking catch! Jesus is the Christ of every crisis.
When the first church was persecuted, they scattered all over the earth and spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the Lord worked with them confirming the Word with signs and wonders following. When the first church was persecuted and believers murdered, Jesus appeared to Saul on the way to Damascus who was their main persecutor and turned him into an apostle of the Lord! When Jesus left the earth He prayed to the Father to send the Holy Spirit to be in every believer. On the day of Pentecost they were baptized in the Holy Ghost and 3 000 people were saved and baptized after Peter preached!
When Jesus ascended on high He gave gifts to men to perfect the saints and to equip them for the work of the ministry. He gave apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers. When the people stoned Paul and left him for dead, the believers prayed over him and he revived to continue his missionary journeys!
When the jailor in the Philippi jail wanted to commit suicide because he thought all the prisoners escaped after the great earthquake, Paul called to him and said, do yourself no harm, for we are all here. Then the prisoner asked, ‘what must I do to be saved?’ Paul explained: ‘believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you and your whole family will be saved!’ That was the beginning of the church in Philippi.
When Paul was a prisoner taken to Rome, a storm threatened to destroy the ship, but an angel of the Lord appeared to him and told him they will survive although the ship will be wrecked. On the island the Lord used Paul to pray for the chief of the island and God healed him. They gave Paul another ship so that they could complete their journey to Rome! Christ is the Lord of every crisis!
My friend, as we all face Covid 19 crisis I have good news for you: Jesus Christ is the Lord of every crisis! He is right there in the midst of the crisis! He is the solution in the crisis! You are not alone! He has not left you nor forsaken you! You might not be able to see Christ in your storm or it may appear like a ghost to you as it did to the disciples, but hear the voice of the Master today: ‘It is I!’
You might think that there is no hope, but He is the God of all hope! You might think, ‘this is the end!’, but He is the beginning and the end, the Alpha and Omega! You might think, there is no way through, but He will make a way where there is no way!
You might think you have no more resources, but He is Jehovah Jireh, our Provider! Bible says “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7) God promises to give us peace beyond our ability to understand. “No matter what you’re going through, and no matter how bad your circumstances appear, turn away from your fear and expect Jesus to restore your life.
The Bible says in Ephesians 6:13, “Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm” (NLT). Put your faith and trust in Him. He will turn your mourning into dancing! He will give you the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness! He will give you beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning! He is for you, not against you! He will not leave or forsake you! He will see you through the most difficult crisis because He is your God! He is the Christ of every crisis.
God bless…
Dwight L Moody said “Death may be the King of terrors... but Jesus is the King of kings”