This morning’s lead news story is entitled: “US returns to 1,000 coronavirus deaths in a day and officials warn pandemic will only get worse.”
It is true this worldwide pandemic has caused a lot of pain, loss, death, unemployment, financial stress, change of routines, fear, hospitalizations, quarantines, the list goes on and on…..
This is all bad, but God has promised he will bring good out of the very worst events. Is there any good that has come out of this?
Americans are paying down credit card debt at a record pace. Some people are rediscovering the joy of cooking at home. Families are being forced to spend a lot more “quality” time together (actually, that could be counted as good or bad – it depends). Businesses are finding new and innovative ways to reach customers. And the church has been forced to find new ways to reach beyond its walls in order to bring the good news of Jesus Christ to a world that is on the verge of drowning.
In yesterday’s staff meeting, I was told we had over 4,200 people view this past Sunday’s live stream worship service. As the service was going on, Pastor Kit was monitoring and replying to the different comments people were making. It was clear that for some of them, this was the first time they had heard about Jesus.
Prior to the pandemic, I would have never imagined that our church would reach over 4,200 people in one day. The pandemic prompted us to go in a direction I was not particularly comfortable with, but now understand it is a necessary part of continuing to be the church that reaches out to the world. That’s a good thing.
While you may be suffering from trying to live in this time of crisis and worldwide pandemic, know that God is working in your life for good. You are too important to God to be left alone. God will never desert you.
As you face this hardship, while it might be almost impossible to see, there is some good that is coming from all this pain. All God asks is that you trust and remember Paul’s words to the church at Rome: “We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)
Life is hard but God is good. In the end, God wins.
Prayer: Dear Gracious Heavenly God, I know you are working in my life. Open my eyes so I may see your good in the midst of this chaos. I humbly ask that you use me to usher good into the life of someone who suffers. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Today, I am going to remind Shannon that the coronavirus has given her the great privilege of spending even more time with me. I wonder if she will see that as a good or bad thing. I’m thinking good.
I pray your day is filled with joy and laughter.
Tom Robbins
Daily Devotionals by Dr. Tom Robbins 