The reach of COVID-19 has been daunting – it has touched virtually every part of our lives. Yet we are assured from its Author that it can and will only go so far as its intended purpose. God reminds us, “I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things.” (Isaiah 45:7) Both tranquility (“peace”) and calamity (“evil”) are of the LORD and they each serve Him Who “works all things after the counsel of His own will.” (Ephesians 1:11)
What can be said then about God’s purpose in the ebb and flow of this virus in our community? We can say with scriptural authority the same of which we can say of all the threads that are woven into the tapestry of our lives, i.e. “…that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28) Here, again, we are reminded of God’s sovereign control working in perfect harmony with His goodness to accomplish His purpose and His purpose is always good.
We can add a further dimension to His purpose by reflecting on Paul’s remarks to the believers at Rome. “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! For who hath known the mind of the Lord? Or, who hath been his counselor? Or, who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed again? For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory forever. Amen.” (Romans 11:33-36)
We conclude that God created all things, sustains all things, and works all things according to His will for His purpose. This purpose in all things accrues unto His glory first and foremost. And, this glory is uniquely and necessarily manifest in his goodness to those who love Him for it has pleased Him to make us like unto His dear Son.
For the child of God, the crisis of the moment is part of God’s eternal plan and we can be assured that He is too wise to make a mistake and too good to be unkind! Therefore, we give thanks in all things for “this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” (I Thessalonians 5:18)
From the Chaplain 