“God doesn’t care! If He did, He wouldn’t have allowed this pandemic to occur!”
It was a familiar rant that could be written on many social media sites. However, this one caught my eye since it was written on a Christian site. The COVID-19 pandemic has tested the faith of many in the Christian Church. Even for those who have accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, they may question His divine providence and sovereign will when the events of our life go awry. Perhaps we can accept adversity in our life when we know it is the result of our own bad choices, but what about an earthquake? What about a worldwide pandemic? Is this why we sometimes erroneously label such catastrophes as acts of God? And if we do, does this imply that God does not care? Is He a capricious God who will indiscriminately rain down havoc and destruction upon His own creation?
He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”
Mark 4:38 (NKJV)
The disciples of Jesus were experiencing this same doubt when they found themselves in the middle of a fierce storm on a boat in the Sea of Galilee. The power of the storm frightened them, even though several were experienced fishermen. In spite of their best efforts, they found the boat sinking, yet where was their leader? He was asleep in the stern! Desperate, they awakened Jesus and accused Him of not caring that they were perishing!
Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?”
Mark 4:39-40 (NKJV)
Jesus’ actions were immediate and His question to the disciples is the same question He asks of all of us going through trials. Where is our faith?
Jesus, do you not care that we are perishing?
Yes, Jesus does care. Whether it is a world-wide pandemic, a divorce, a bankruptcy, or the loss of a loved one, Jesus Christ is asking His children to stop looking downward and inward for solutions and turn our eyes upward and outward to seek Him. During these trials of life, Jesus walks with us to grow our faith and deepen our understanding that He will never leave or forsake us.
Amen!
Love and trust the Lord; seek His will in your life.
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