CHRIST, CALVARY, AND COVID-19

We know Christ is on the Throne and sovereign—utterly in control and actively working out his plan for the ages. By faith we trust in Christ as the One who "gives to all mankind life and breath and everything" (Acts 17:25). He is our keeper, a word meaning to watch over, preserve. Ponder Psalm 121, which references this keeping six times:

"I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come?
My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber.
Behold, He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.
The LORD is your keeper; the LORD is your shade on your right hand.
The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night.
The LORD will keep you from all evil; He will keep your life.
The LORD will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore."
(Psalm 121:1-8).

Let us be wise and reasonable, with respect to the present situation, but also embrace biblical wisdom: "When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid" (Psalm 56:3-4). Let us also trust Christ, who said: "Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own
trouble" (Matthew 6:34).
 
Through the cross and empty tomb, Christ has defeated sin, with consequences such as disease and death, and has gained the ultimate victory. We know that sickness, disease and death still happen: "For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies." (Romans 8:22-24). We often groan because of illness. In the meantime, let us trust His sovereign will, even as we live life to God's glory.

Cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) have now been reported in Sheboygan county. Calvary's leadership is monitoring updates from the CDC and we will continue to follow their lead and the guidelines issued by other local, state, and federal agencies, when and if that occurs. The health and safety of our congregation and guests remains a top priority. Let us pray for those impacted by this virus, for those serving the sick, and for God's protection and provision. Most importantly, let us remember our true source of protection: "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble" (Psalm 46:1).

A pre-recorded sermon will be available on YouTube (click here), in time for Sunday morning usual service time.