God is still in Control, Part 2
By Bishop Paul J. M. Kawimbe
This passage “Likewise, when a foreigner who is not of your people Israel comes from a far country for the sake of your great name and your mighty hand and your outstretched arm when he comes and prays toward this house, hear from heaven your dwelling place and do according to all for which the foreigner calls to you, so that all the peoples of the earth may know your name and fear you, as do your people Israel, and that they may know that this house that I have built is called by your name” (2 Chronicles 6:32-33 ESV) is consistent with others scriptures where God explicitly extends the invitation to all who call upon the name of the LORD, it has made clear that anyone who acknowledges God’s name and authority can pray with the same confidence of being heard by God. We see God using the disaster to draw His people to Himself, to bring about repentance, and the desire to come to Him as children to their heavenly Father.
When a plague ravaged the City of London, England in the fifteenth century, Sir William Craven “Lord Mayor of London” (1548 – 18 July 1618) determined to leave the city for his country home in the escape of the spreading pestilence as many of his social standings did, ordered his coach and baggage made ready. But as he was walking down one of the halls of his home about to enter his carriage, he overheard one of his servants say to another, “I suppose by my Lord’s quitting London to avoid the plague that his God lives in the country and not in town.” It was a straightforward and innocent remark. But it struck Lord Craven so deeply that he canceled his journey, saying, “My God lives everywhere and can preserve me in town as well as in the country. I will stay where I am.” So, Lord Craven stayed in London and helped the plague victims, and he did not catch the disease himself.
What I find to be profound in this story are the words “My God lives everywhere and can preserve me in town as well as in the country.”
The Bible contains countless promises of God protecting and preserving His people. “He who dwells in the shelter of the most- high will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust” (Psalm 91:1-2 ESV).
In this passage, we find four magnificent names of God; Elyon – Most high, Shaddai – Almighty, Yahweh – The Lord, and Elohai – My God. The expression “The shadow of the Almighty” infers to great nearness. We must walk very close to a companion if we would have his shadow fall on us. All the benefits and blessings belong to those who have a close relationship with God and know Yahweh as God.
“You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor the destruction that wastes at noonday. A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you.” (Psalm 91:5-7 ESV).
The word translated pestilence in the English Standard Version (ESV) of Bible is translated as plague or disaster in other translations. However, because the word pestilence is constantly paired with both these words, it may imply greater devastation than a mere physical disease. Pestilence incorporates any forms of public and mass destruction and often accompanies famine or war. The sovereign God is Lord of any pestilence, and He has promised protection for those who trust in Him. Whatever happens, as children of God we do not need to fear.
So how do we get to the place of trusting God and seeing His provision? It’s by remembering that He is the Elyon-Most high, Shaddai-Almighty, Yahweh -The Lord, and Elohai-My God. Even though there is a lot of advice that is being given in the world as to how to approach COVID-19, the sooner we focus on Whom God is, what God does, what God expects, and how God works, and are convinced of the fact that God causes, allows and directs all things according to His sovereign plan, the more we will have the strength, hope, peace, comfort, and confidence that only God can provide. Appreciating God’s promise to provide for us as taught in Psalm 91, and then trusting God to keep His Word, as He always does, will erase the greatest of all fears, anxiety, and panic in our deeply concerned hearts.
Here is the word of encouragement to every believer, do not let fear become a greater problem than the coronavirus, but to use this moment as a time of reflection on the goodness of God, count the blessings and trust God to hear your prayers. The COVID-19 is not a big deal to God. Our God can control this, and we are going to come through this better than we were before the coronavirus. Be calm and ask Him to give you peace.” As for those who do not know Jesus Christ as Savior, the disease should be a reminder that life on this earth is tenuous and can be lost at any moment. As bad as pandemics are, hell will be worse.
The Christian, however, has the assurance of salvation and the hope of eternity because of the blood of Jesus Christ that was shed on the cross. “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus Philippians 4:6,7.”
Prayer
Sovereign God, you are Lord of any pestilence, and you have promised in your word that no destructions that wastes shall come near my habitation. Give me peace and serenity of mind. In Jesus’ name AMEN
By The Rt. Rev. Dr. Paul Jones Mulenga Kawimbe (121)
