By Doug Dingley
We know and understand that God both can and does bring good out of even the worst of circumstances (Gen. 50:20; Lk. 24:44-47; Rom. 8:28), and this Coronavirus is certainly no exception. Hopefully, one of the greatest things to come out of this current pandemic will be people’s honest realization of just how quickly all the things they once thought were so essential and indispensable to them and their lives, can be so suddenly and completely taken from them. How the pursuits and activities that once consumed so much of our time, effort, energy, and finances — and which we had somehow convinced ourselves were so critically important to us – can be so swiftly and suddenly… just taken away from us.
Hopefully, more people will now take the time to really stop and think about the fact that one day, as we all inevitably near our own departure from this earthly life, all of these same worldly pursuits and activities – plus a whole lot more – are going to be similarly and perhaps even more suddenly taken away from us and then left behind as utterly worthless, and totally meaningless (Phil. 3:7-11; 1 Tim. 6:6-12). The only thing that will matter at all in the day which one draws their final breath, will be the closeness of their relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ; said relationship which will, of course, be totally dependent on the time and effort that they have previously put into seeking, developing, maintaining, and maturing it according to the word of God — and that’s it. Period.
This is why Jesus Christ said in the sermon on the mount, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also… But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (See and study Matt. 6:19-33). It is surely also the reason why His handpicked Apostle John who was there that day would also later write what He did in 1 John 2:15-17.
For those who have never, really, seriously considered their desperate need to make sure they get and stay right with God; those who have hence never seriously sought to more Biblically get to know Him before that fatal and final earthly moment suddenly comes upon them (1 Thess. 5:2-10; 2 Pet. 3:10–12); may the good that God brings out of this current pandemic be, that it provides the reality check they need in order to start doing so.
For those Christians who are only half-hearted in their pursuit of, and relationship with their Lord, and hence only lukewarm in their Christianity, may this current pandemic provide the vital reality check they need, in order to more fully and steadfastly devote themselves to “the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, … the breaking of bread, and [prayer],” as well as to a far more regular, rigorous, and diligent study of His word (Acts 2:42; 2 Tim. 2:15).
And finally, for those who are already faithful children of the living God (Rom. 8:14-18; Gal. 3:26-27); those whose only priority each day is to live for and with the Lord whom they love and already realize is their life (2 Cor. 4:16-5:11; Col. 3:1-4); may this current pandemic only serve to reinforce your faith, peace, and reliance on your Lord who said, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (Jn. 16:33).