In the previous article in this issue, we have discussed the serious warnings that God is bringing before us in the present coronavirus pandemic. However, there is encouragement too, just as there is in the Book of Jude — a book that is full of solemn warnings. Another has commented on the Book of Jude as follows: “There is not one portion of God’s Word more calculated to make us sing than this epistle. The greater the trial, the more God says, ‘I am with you.’ ... The higher the privilege, the worse the corruption. From the beginning of God’s dealings with man down to the last, there is not one period in which the deposit was as large as that given to us, or the corruption so thorough. But Jude passes through that, and he sounds a second note of mercy in connection with the common salvation—God coming in—and the security of the people who had faith” (G.V. Wigram).
“Sweet as Honey”
As we see the spread of the COVID-19 virus, the deaths it has caused, the massive disruption in the world economy, and the resultant fear and panic that is produced, we who know the Lord can look up and say, “The coming of the Lord draweth nigh” (James 5:88Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. (James 5:8)). We do not know when the Lord will come and take His church home to be with Himself, but His promise is, “I will come again.” This is meant to be a present, living hope for the believer, no matter in what era of the dispensation he may live. But we are entitled to “see the day approaching” (Heb. 10:2525Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. (Hebrews 10:25)) — the day of judgment. Since the rapture of the saints precedes the day of judgment, we know that we are nearing the day when the Lord will call us home. We are in the last days spoken about in 2 Timothy 3, and as we see cataclysmic events all around us, it is evident that the day of judgment is indeed approaching. For believers, this realization has a twofold meaning. In the words of Revelation 10:99And I went unto the angel, and said unto him, Give me the little book. And he said unto me, Take it, and eat it up; and it shall make thy belly bitter, but it shall be in thy mouth sweet as honey. (Revelation 10:9), the little book of judgment made the apostle’s belly bitter, because of the awful judgments about to come on the world. But it was in his mouth “sweet as honey,” as he saw events unfolding that would give the Lord Jesus His rightful place. So it is with us. We mourn over a world that continues to reject Christ, yet we rejoice that our “redemption draweth nigh” (Luke 21:2828And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh. (Luke 21:28)).
The Lord’s Protection
But some may say, “We are in the middle of a crisis! Can we not expect some help for the present?” Yes, for the Lord has promised to look after us, and we can count on Him for His protection. “He shall deliver thee ... from the destructive pestilence” (Psa. 91:33Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. (Psalm 91:3) JND). This does not mean that we will not be affected by it, but rather that we can look to the Lord to put His hand over us. In the face of the pandemic, there is a reasonable and orderly way for the Christian to proceed.
When the bubonic plague recurred in parts of Germany in 1527 (the main pandemic had been back in the fourteenth century), Martin Luther had this to say: “Therefore I shall ask God mercifully to protect us. Then I shall fumigate, help purify the air, administer medicine, and take it. I shall avoid places and persons where my presence is not needed in order not to become contaminated and thus perchance infect and pollute others, and so cause their death as a result of my negligence. If God should wish to take me, he will surely find me and I have done what he has expected of me and so I am not responsible for either my own death or the death of others. If my neighbor needs me, however, I shall not avoid place or person but will go freely.
This is a God-fearing faith because it is neither brash nor foolhardy and does not tempt God. Though one should aid [his neighbor] in his time of need, he in turn should, after his recovery, so act toward others that no one becomes unnecessarily endangered on his account. If the people in a city were to show themselves bold in their faith when a neighbor’s need so demands, and cautious when no emergency exists ... then the death toll would indeed be moderate. But if some are too panicky and desert their neighbors in their plight, and if some are so foolish as not to take precautions ... then the devil has a heyday and many will die. On both counts this is a grievous offense to God and to man; here it is tempting God; there it is bringing man into despair. Then the one who flees, the devil will pursue; the one who stays behind, the devil will hold captive so that no one escapes him.” Although nearly 500 years old, this advice is still good today.
Prayer – The Throne of Grace
In his prayer at the dedication of the temple, more than 3,000 years ago, King Solomon foresaw a day when God might allow pestilence and other plagues in Israel. If prayer was offered on account of the plague, he asked the Lord to “hear, and forgive ... that they may fear Thee, to walk in Thy ways” (2 Chron. 6:30-3130Then hear thou from heaven thy dwelling place, and forgive, and render unto every man according unto all his ways, whose heart thou knowest; (for thou only knowest the hearts of the children of men:) 31That they may fear thee, to walk in thy ways, so long as they live in the land which thou gavest unto our fathers. (2 Chronicles 6:30‑31)). He prayed that this might be God’s response to “what prayer or what supplication soever shall be made of any man, or of all Thy people Israel, when every one shall know his own sore and his own grief, and shall spread forth his hands to this house” (2 Chron. 6:2929Then what prayer or what supplication soever shall be made of any man, or of all thy people Israel, when every one shall know his own sore and his own grief, and shall spread forth his hands in this house: (2 Chronicles 6:29)). Today we do not look toward a physical house, but may “come boldly unto the throne of grace” (Heb. 4:1616Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:16)). Whatever may be our failure, God’s throne is always a throne of grace. We can come before His throne for ourselves, but we may also intercede for others, and especially for those in this world who do not know the Lord.
It is also a good opportunity to speak for the Lord, for at a time like this, hearts are often tender and ready to listen. Many today are fearful, for the future is uncertain. We can remind them of coming judgment, but we must also tell them of God’s love and how He has provided a way of escape. God’s allowing of this pandemic is really His love for this world, for He is not willing that any should perish. When danger is near, we must sound a warning, even if some resent it. A man who was violently awakened at night because his house was on fire would not complain that his sleep had been disturbed.
The Promises of Protection
Finally, some may well suffer economic hardship, and this is a very real thing. As I write, quite a few have lost their employment, as various businesses have had to lay off much of their work force. With mouths to feed, mortgages or rent to pay, and money needed for other expenses, the situation for some appears very grim. In poorer countries of this world, where a great many live “from hand to mouth,” the closure of businesses and the placing of people under lockdown has caused widespread distress. We who know the Lord can count on His promises, such as “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Heb. 13:55Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. (Hebrews 13:5)). In His ministry commonly called “the sermon on the mount,” our Lord could remind His followers not to take any thought, saying, “What shall we eat? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?” (Matt. 6:3131Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (Matthew 6:31)). He reminded them that “your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things” (Matt. 6:3232(For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. (Matthew 6:32)). Our part is to seek first “the kingdom of God, and His righteousness,” for if we do this, God’s promise is that “all these things shall be added unto you” (Matt. 6:3333But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. (Matthew 6:33)). He has promised to look after His own, and while He may test our faith, He will never disappoint our faith.
Help One Another
To balance these exhortations, we must remember that while those severely affected by an economic downturn should look to the Lord first and foremost, it is also incumbent on us to help one another. It is not Christlike to say, “Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled” if we are not ready to “give them ... those things which are needful to the body” (James 2:1616And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? (James 2:16)). More than ever, it is a time to work together and seek to encourage one another in natural things as well as spiritually.
In summary, then, we must remember the exhortations at the end of the Book of Jude. We are to continue to build ourselves up on our most holy faith (vs. 20). Let us have God’s Word open before us in whatever way we can. Let us be found “praying in the Holy Ghost” (vs. 20), for this expresses our dependence. But let us not make demands on God, but count on His love and thus be found keeping ourselves “in the love of God” (vs. 21). If our hearts have a constant sense of His love, we will “with thanksgiving, let [our] requests be made known unto God” (Phil. 4:66Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. (Philippians 4:6)). Then, instead of all our troubles being taken away, we shall have something better — “the peace of God, which passeth all understanding.” Finally, we may look for “the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life” (vs. 21). On the one hand, we look for His coming, because we long to see His face; on the other hand, the condition of this world will make His coming for us a great mercy. “Even so, come, Lord Jesus!” (Rev. 22:2020He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. (Revelation 22:20)).
W. J. Prost