A Godly Response to Coronavirus Pandemic - Part 3

What should we be thinking about at this time of global pandemic? Should you spend all the time checking the new figures or the high rate of infection? How do you invest your mind? What do you think and meditate on? GOD! 

We should think, and meditate on God – his sovereignty, his goodness and his grace, his love and mercy, his holiness and justice …all his attributes, communicable and incommunicable. Let us seek the Lord today. Let us know that God reigns and superintends over all the affairs of his creatures.

Anyone who thought that God after creation took leave of his creation is mistaken. He is at work and, believe it or not, God has brought the Covid_19 upon the world! Listen to what God says through his prophet, Isaiah:

I am the LORD, and there is no other, besides me there is no God; I equip you, though you do not know me, that people may know, from the rising of the sun and from the west, that there is none besides me; I am the LORD, and there is no other. I form light and create darkness, I make well-being and create calamity, I am the LORD, who does all these things. (Isa 45:5-7)

Here is the last consideration on a godly response to this global pandemic:

REMEMBER THAT GOD IS OUR PORTION FOREVER

The Psalmist in Psalm 73:26 simply states, “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”

The verse that we have been meditating on, is both grim (for it actually envisages death, when Asaph says, “My flesh and my heart may fail…”) and also full of life and hope. The conviction arrived at is that even in that last and bitterest extremity ‘God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.’ Therefore God remains and should remain the best and the greatest treasure that death cannot rob us of, and even in the very experience of dying, God supports his own and is more than ever their best possession. A fullness of faith and conviction speaks in these utterances that scarcely ever mounts to higher levels in the whole of the Old Testament.[1]

So what does it mean that God is my portion? Using the Principle of interpretation of Scripture called Analogy of Scripture (or simply put, scripture interprets scripture), we look at other passages of Scripture that use this language:

David in Psalm 16:5 – The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot.

Psalm 119: 57 – The LORD is my portion; I promise to keep your words.

Psalm 142:5 – I cry to you, O LORD; I say, "You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living."

Jeremiah, engulfed by trouble in Lamentation simply says in 3:24, "The LORD is my portion," says my soul, "therefore I will hope in him."

Portion could also be rendered inheritance – that which lawfully falls to one’s share at is used in Psalm 16:5 and Psalm 17:14. And so W.S. Plumer – whose commentary is regarded as the loftiest in Christendom, says of this verse, “A child of God though he suffer long and severely, fares well; for he has God for his portion. It is far otherwise with the wicked.”[2]

 In this term, Asaph is saying that whatever the Lord has sent his way is His will, but he is comforted by the fact that the Lord will always be his. God will not forsake him, and therefore in all circumstances, especially of trouble, he looks to God and He waits upon God both to deliver him and to take him where He is. Hengstenberg commenting on this verse says, “It is clear as day that this passage contains the germ of the doctrine of the resurrection.”[3]

Spurgeon on the other hand commenting on it says,

“His God would not fail him, either as a protection or a joy. His heart would be kept up by divine love, and filled eternally with divine joy. After having been driven far out to sea, Asaph casts anchor in the old port. We shall do well to follow his example. There is nothing desirable save God: let us, then, desire only him. All other things must pass away; let our hearts abide in him, who alone abideth for ever.”[4]

1)      Pursue Godliness by making good use of the times and the means

God is our portion forever. His presence is our portion even in the valley of the shadow of death is enough. For God is not only my shield to defend and protect me from those enemies of my body and soul but He is also my portion to supply all my needs. His love, his grace, his mercy and his peace shall always be enough and sufficient and more than sufficient.

Because God is our portion, his word is our portion as well. This is what we sing in the song Amazing grace – The Lord has promised good to me, His Word my hope secures, He will my shield and portion be, as long as life endures. Therefore, let us read, and study the Scriptures, daily and regularly. Let us meditate on his Word day and night. Let us resolve, that since we are either locked in, or under compulsory quarantine, we shall spend much of our time in the Word of God, personally and with our families. If you need materials to use in instructing your children in the things of God, then contact us. We have many resources that can enrich your soul. Just call us on +728431067 or email Murungi@trinity.or.ke

His people, the church is our portion as well. The Lord God, in his sovereignty and wisdom, has used it to straighten our ecclessiology: The lockdown effectively demonstrates that church is not about buildings - it is about being united with Christ and his body (the church), not just when we assemble, but always, wherever we are! Therefore, let us deliberately seek to build close ties with our spiritual family – the church, after all we are members, one of another. We should call them and chat with them more regularly. Pastors need to be deliberate in providing spiritual nourishment to the church members so that even though for a while we part, this thought will soothe our hearts, that we shall soon be joined together either here on earth or in heaven, with the Lord. Make use of the WhatsApp (and other social media) to connect with the brethren. Yet we must not be so sucked into the social media as to neglect other vital disciplines.

The time he has given us to live is our portion. The present distress is a divinely instituted decree – it is our portion. We shall not take one and reject the other – we shall not receive good from the Lord and not evil. Now we are to learn to make good use of the providence he has given us. Now that you have to be at home, then be at home and use the time for the profit of your soul.
I know some men are complaining about the curfew, hindering them from going to the pub and catching up with friends. But I ask you, when did catching up with your drinking buddies become more important than your wife and children? Spend the time with children. Be the headmaster or the principal of your children's education.

You had thought or said that you do not pray so much because you lack time. Pray using the weekly Prayer List and the monthly Prayer Diary. Pray for your relatives who are unbelievers and neighbours as well. You had claimed that you lagged behind because of the lack of time read the Bible – now you have the time – read it.

Again you have your relatives – they are your portion. Call your parents and your sisters and brothers and give them God’s portion and calm them for most people are in panic. Seek to intentionally build closer ties with people that you were hindered by your busy schedule from being of ministry to them.

IN CONCLUSION

In every storm you would seek a tree to shelter; in every danger, you would seek a city of refuge to secure you; and in every difficulty you would be wise to look for a solution; in every darkness you would want to have a light to guide you; and in every peril, you need a shield to defend you; and in every distress, a cordial to strengthen you; and in every trouble, a staff to support you; in every sickness, you would seek a doctor to treat you – why would you not seek the Lord Jesus Christ while He may be found? Is he not the Great Physician to the sick, the Good Shepherd for the flock, the Bread of life to the hungry, the resurrection and the life to the dying? Why would you delay and postpone coming to the only hope for your soul? Turn to Christ and live!

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[1] H.C. Leupold, D.D. The Exposition of the Psalms, Columbus, OH, Baker Book House, P.531

[2] W.S. Plumer, Psalms, Banner of Truth, Edinburgh, p.715

[3] The Works of Hengstenberg, Vol 6 The Psalms, p. 414

[4] C.H. Spurgeon, The Treasury of David, vol.2. Hendricksen p.