Let me begin by extending my sincere condolences to those who have lost loved ones, friends, family members, during the outbreak of the novel coronavirus. I pray that you are able receive Jesus’s blessing and comfort, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” (Matt. 5:4)

As I have spent time reflecting on current events, including things such as panic buying and the fear-based media, the Holy Spirit continues to direct my thoughts to a few areas of scripture. These scriptures have provided me a firm foundation, as they remind me that God is sovereign, that we have nothing to fear as we walk in obedience to the Lord.

In Job 38, Job is emerging from between 9-18 months of suffering. He experienced the loss of loved ones, sickness, and loss of all of his wealth. Job’s own wife said to him at one point “curse God, and die.” She had become overwhelmed with grief and despair.

At this point in the story, God himself begins speaking to Job and His words have been a source of comfort for me lately. The Lord reminded Job that it was He who “laid the foundation of the earth” (v4), it is He who has “commanded the morning since your days began” (v12). God has always been sovereign over our world, and He always will be.

In his letter to the Romans, Paul reminds us that the “future glory” we are eagerly awaiting has not yet come. Christ has taken God’s punishment, He has paid the price for us for the curse of Genesis 3, but that does not mean that the world and all of those around us have been completely redeemed yet.

Romans 8:18-25 provides a specific revelation about the state of the curse resulting from the fall, and where things stand in regards to the redemption of all creation through Christ’s atoning work on the cross:

“Against its will, all creation was subjected to God’s curse. But with eager hope, the creation looks forward to the day when it will join God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay.”

Romans 8:20-21

One day, God’s children will enjoy freedom from death and decay. And so will the world around us. In the meantime, all of creation around us continues to exist under the curse, but even it eagerly awaits the coming glory of Christ’s final redemptive acts.

As I have reflected on current events, I am continuously reminded that God has always been in control, that He loves us dearly and He will never leave us nor abandon us. Even through the fall, even as a man continued to turn his back on the Lord, none of it was a surprise. Revelation 13:8 tells us that Jesus was slaughtered before the world was even made. None of this has been a surprise to our all-knowing God – He saw all of this coming, and He already had a plan. We can rest assured knowing that He is still in control.