Window at Grace Lutheran, Rialto
“Let not your hearts be troubled; ye believe in God, believe also in Me.” (John 14:1; read the whole chapter!)
What’s worse? The infamous bat-virus, or the world-wide fear that has gripped the world and dominated our news channels? We in the flock of our Good Shepherd, Jesus, have a message for a world that is wrapped in fear of infection and death—Christ has overcome the world! All evils, including pestilence of various kinds, will come to an end. Our Savior endures forever, and we prevail with Him!
Do we need to be smart? Of course. Do we need to use the reason God gave us and keep in mind the best ways to show love to our neighbor? Absolutely! But fear need not be included in our equation as we address the issues surrounding Coronavirus or the COVID-19 disease that comes from it. There’s one thing to take a health risk seriously, and another to panic as though God has somehow lost control. Over a hundred references in the Bible include the words “Do not fear.” God our Creator (or His messenger) says that in most of the quotations. What God says, that gets done. It’s been that way since day one and He said, “Let there be light.”
The world is looking for salvation from pestilence. We have it! Jesus Christ is our healer and our refuge, and our strength. We’re going to keep having church, because that’s what you do. You pray to your Lord and Savior, who has power over heaven and earth, and you receive His free gifts. Will you be insulated from disease or any other evil? No. But you weren’t promised a bubble to live in on earth, you were promised a vast mansion, living in your Father’s house for eternity!
Whatever you may think about this emergency situation, there is this one thing: Tomorrow, March 15, has been declared a National Day of Prayer. Our president, of whom no one has a neutral opinion whatsoever, has urged us, Christians especially, to pray for our nation. That we shall do. I will include a special prayer in a time of national emergency at the beginning of our Divine Service. I pray you will join us, and join constantly in the only remedy to fear, which is faith that trusts in the blood bought forgiveness and life of our Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ.
The Lord be with you, and Do not fear!
Pastor Mark B. Stirdivant
Pastor, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
Resources for your consideration:
Missouri Synod President’s encouragement.
Interesting history of Martin Luther’s response to an outbreak of plague in Wittenberg.