At A Time Like This

Many people today are troubled by these times and are not sure what to do with themselves while under the “Stay at Home Order” issued by our governor. Unable to get out and intermingle with others is especially hard for me. Unable to pass out cards, shake hands, and greet people like I normally would. I thought about what I/we all might learn “At A Time Like This” and some things we should all be doing “At A Time Like This”.

One thing I thought of “At A Time Like This” is that life is uncertain. Solomon wrote, “Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth” (Prov. 27:1, Read James 4:13). “At A Time Like This”, we realize our constant need for God as the Psalmist said, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Psa. 46:1). “Our help is in the name of the Lord, Who made heaven and earth” (Psa. 124:8). So at a time like this let’s all do what Peter said, “casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you” (1 Pet. 5:7).

We need to remember at times like these it has been worse. This is not the first time our world has been affected by a pandemic. In 1918 H1N1, “Spanish Flu”, killed nearly 500 million people—about 1 quarter of the earths population at that time. In 2 Kings 6:24-29 we read of a great famine in the land. The king of Syria, Ben-Hadad was passing by on the wall and heard a woman cry out to him, saying, “Help, my lord, O king!” When the king inquired of her trouble she answered, “This woman said to me, ‘Give your son, that we may eat him today, and we will eat my son tomorrow.’ 29 So we boiled my son, and ate him. And I said to her on the next day, ‘Give your son, that we may eat him’; but she has hidden her son.” Yes at a time like this we need to remember it has been worse.

Another thing, we need to understand there is no cause for panic as it is with so many who feel as though they have no hope. There has been wide-spread fear, some even considering taking their own lives. We read in Proverbs chapter 12 verse 25 “Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, but a good word makes it glad.” Worry only weighs you down. Take time and read the recommendations of Jesus in Matthew chapter 6 verses 25 through 34 and find peace and comfort in the promises of God. Don’t worry, don’t be anxious but seek first the kingdom of God, and leave the rest to Him who is able.

Paul tells us at a time like this, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Phil 4:6-7). Instead of being worried, or anxious, we need to be praying about everything telling God what you need.  Jesus taught a parable in Luke 18:1 saying, “men always ought to pray and not lose heart”. Right there in Ephesians 6 and at verse 18 Paul said, “praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.” At a time like this we need to persevere and pray always.

There are plenty of things we should be praying for. We must be praying for our government, for all elected officials. Theirs is not an easy job, like them or not, they’re making hard decisions daily. They have never lived through a time like this and it must be difficult for every one of them. How would they ever have known when they took the oath of office that they would be dealing with this. Pray for the military, for those working around the world battling the Coronavirus that they may have wisdom, and strength to fight this enemy.

We need to pray for every saint, for churches everywhere, for elders, deacons and preachers that they have the wisdom to make good decisions, and the health to carry on. Pray for every saint that they too continue in prayers, for their health both physically and spiritually.

Remember how Paul said to pray “with thanksgiving” (Phil 4:6). You know that there are some who will spend valuable time complaining when they should be praying with thanksgiving. It may be easy to do this, but it is not wise. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 says, “in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you”. Give thanks in every circumstance and understand that at a time like this we still have many things to be thankful for. Thankful for a government that is seeking to protect us. These orders are not to suppress us, but to keep us safe, and as hard as they are, we need to be thankful. Thankful for the advance medical community we have, and all their efforts to defeat this invisible, and deadly enemy. Thankful for the stimulus package that will help many people, trying to send relief to so many that have been impacted at a time like this. Thankful that we have food to eat that many in other countries do not have. So, at a time like this we need to give thanks.

Also, and this should “go without saying”, we need to trust in the Lord our God. Who is like Him, who else can we trust? In Deuteronomy 33:27 we read, “The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms; He will thrust out the enemy from before you, and will say, ‘Destroy!’”. In Psalm 9:9-10 “The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. 10 And those who know Your name will put their trust in You; For You, Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You”. Also, in Psalm 46 verse 1-3 the comforting words, “God is our refuge and strength, very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; 3 Though its waters roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with its swelling” and then at verse 10, “Be still, and know that I am God…”

Remember at a time like this we need all kinds of patience, long-suffering. Many people are stressed and will say and do things they normally would not. We need to possess forbearance and tolerance. “with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love” (Eph. 4:2). Like Colossians 3:15, “bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.” At time like these we’d do well to remember 1 Corinthians 13 and 4, “Love suffers long and is kind…” So, at times like these be kind.

At times like these we need to seek to help others. Make a greater effort to call, write cards, letters, and ask if there might be something you can do. It is so wonderful to see brethren helping others who cannot in some ways help themselves. Do what Paul said “Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others” (Phil 2:4). We don’t have to look too far at times like these.

Finally, at a time like this it is most important to be right with God. Bad things will happen, and we must understand it is not necessarily an act of God. In Luke 13 Jesus taught, about this saying, “There were present at that season some who told Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. 2 And Jesus answered and said to them, “Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans…4 Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem?” then at verse 5 Jesus said, “I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.”

We need to be certain at a time like this that we have, “all our ducks in order”, so to speak. That means that we have properly prepared for eternity. That if we have not yet obeyed the gospel, we need to do that now. To hear (Rom. 10:17), believe that Jesus is the Christ (John 8:24), repent (Luke 13:5), confess Jesus before men (Mat. 10:32) and be baptized for the remission of sin (Acts 2:38). If you have obeyed but have sin in your life repent now before it is everlastingly too late.

I pray this has helped and that we all will come out of this trial stronger than when we entered into it.

We have extra time to apply ourselves to spiritual things like study (2 Tim. 2:15). Let’s use it wisely.

Love

Dave Scarpino

“Incline your ear and hear the words of the wise, and apply your heart to my knowledge; 18 For it is a pleasant thing if you keep them within you; Let them all be fixed upon your lips, 19 So that your trust may be in the Lord” (Prov. 22:17-19)

Our faithful Creator is worthy to be praised in this assembly. All praise to Him who reigns above in majesty supreme! He gave His Son to die, for all mankind, that He might redeem all. Our blessed Redeemer suffered and died for our sins and is now risen and sitting at the right hand of God as Head of the church. Let us offer the sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving, knowing that He is the author of eternal salvation to all those who obey Him. (Hebrews 5:8-9) “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory!” (Isaiah 6:3)