Never Aloneনমুনা

Day 3 - In Control

In March 2020, the coronavirus pandemic placed us into lockdown. In May 2020, the death of George Floyd ignited Black Lives Matter protests in several countries worldwide. By the end of 2020, the COVID-19 death toll was approaching two million worldwide. In short, 2020 was a year that shook the entire world.

My immediate response is ‘Why God!? You are the Almighty God, who created the universe, surely stopping this suffering is a small thing for you?’ I start to doubt his goodness, his power or even if he exists at all. It’s a lot like the prophet Habbakuk, who lived in ancient Israel and saw his country in disarray and was just as upset:

“How long, LORD, must I call for help, but you do not listen? Or cry out to you, "Violence!" but you do not save?” (Habbakuk 1:2)

But then I remember…our sin against God is like treason against the king, and yet he has given us grace. And so, like Job, I relinquish my right to know why and have faith. Though it looks like God is weak, absent or evil, I resolve to doubt my doubts.

“I [Job] know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted. You [God] asked, ‘Who is this that obscures my plans without knowledge?’ Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know. 

“You [God] said, ‘Listen now, and I will speak; I will question you, and you shall answer me.’ My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you. Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes.” – Job 42:1 - 6

Even when God told Habakkuk what he was up to, he took more convincing until he realised, as we all should realise, that God is both in control and good to those who love him. He is our sovereign. Once we understand these two principles, it doesn’t matter whether we are locked down, unjustly murdered or contract the virus – he is still good and he is still God.