Able to Deliver Us

About this time last year our nation and indeed the world was seeing the COVID cloud beginning to form on the horizon of history. As it loomed into our sight our curiosity was stimulated by a viral outbreak in China. Did we ever imagine what might be in store for our nation? Perhaps it was assumed there would likely be some sort of impact – hopefully slight. Did we wonder if this virus produces any unpleasant changes? People generally are not comfortable with change. Mark Twain correctly concluded, “The only one that likes change is a wet baby.” Yet this past year was all about change. It came rapidly, unpredictably, and in most cases inconveniently. Our nation has processed change but not always successfully as fears grew, annoyances blossomed, emotions frazzled, perspectives distorted, and uncertainty morphed into despair at times. As the last ticks of 2020 wound down people were heard saying, “Glad we are past that and can start getting back to normal.” As those aspirations were expressed, I began thinking, “Will we really get back to normal? Is normal really just uncertainty dressed in new kinds of challenges and adversity that must be faced?” Life as I have frequently defined it is a series of changes often interrupted by an occasional crisis.

     People are applauding progress in the battle against the COVID virus. They should. People have made extraordinary efforts and made countless sacrifices to address this horrendous pandemic. Yet the nagging question stands, “Have we taken a successful path, or will we come to the conclusion that there are multiple issues that demand our attention to arrest this viral scourge successfully?” Even at this date we are hearing that the virus has made some alterations to its structure that make the spread of the virus even more rapid. How many other discoveries will be made in the coming days that had not been considered regarding this nemesis? Does this mean we should cower in enclaves of supposed safety or placate our fears by denying the evidence that is being continually uncovered? Perhaps a better response would be to continue boldly, wisely, and intelligently to battle this formidable foe. Passivity does not defeat enemies; it only allows them to become more entrenched and powerful.

     What should our response be concerning this current reality? People are making their best educated guesses as to what should be done. Heeding their advice warrants consideration. Beyond this what might we do? First, do not become obsessed with what might happen in future days. Obsession can easily drive a person to an emotional paralysis where one is so overcome with “might be” thoughts so that “should be” thoughts are blocked. Then wise, necessary, and healthy actions are not pursued. Proverbs 26:13 pictures such a situation, “The slacker claims, ‘There’s a lion on the road! Yes, I’m sure there’s a lion out there!’” The person becomes so obsessed with the “might be” of a lion that his “should be,” laboring for his needs, is ignored and he becomes a slacker.

     Also consider realities and resources beyond what we are even aware as we face the challenges of life. Too often people are limiting themselves to seeing only human solutions to problems. We have heard repeatedly, “We need to follow the science.” There is a level of truth to this. There must also be a consideration that science is expansive and occasionally makes unsuspected discoveries beyond what was being considered. For example, consider the discovery a Scottish biologist, Alexander Fleming, made while investigating staphylococci, known commonly as staph. After a brief vacation, he returned and found a strange fungus on a culture he had left unattended in his lab — a fungus that had killed off all surrounding bacteria in the culture. He providentially discovered penicillin. Such cases underscore a verse in Scripture where the Apostle Paul describes how God often works, “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us” (Ephesians 3:20). Just because a human solution is not currently available does not mean that God cannot providentially intervene in situations we consider overwhelming.

     Lastly, maintain confidence in times when uncertainty could shake our faith. In the book of Daniel three young Jewish men faced certain death in a fiery furnace. They responded to a command to worship a king’s image which violated their faith by saying, “O king, we will not serve your gods, nor worship the golden image which you have set up” (3:18). They did not flinch because they trusted the God they loved and served saying, “Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us.” They believed their destiny was in God’s hands not man’s. How many times do we assume the need to protect ourselves or rely solely upon human solutions rather than to trust God who is almighty to deliver? As a result of their actions and their deliverance, a king who wanted to be acknowledged as god, recognized their God by saying, “There is no other God that can deliver after this sort” (3:29).

     In these tough times may we not obsess but rely upon divine providence and maintain an unswerving faith in an Almighty deliverer. As Elizabeth Elliot said, “Whatever dark tunnel we may be called upon to travel through, God has been there.” I would simply add, “And He is still there with you; you are not alone.” Trust your steps to a reliable and faithful God.