Life and Death


The third Sunday in a row doing church online … I woke disheartened and almost dreading doing church at home.

I'm an introvert - I don't mind being at home. But after seeing no one but DH for almost three weeks, I don't mind admitting that I've had enough. Suddenly, today, not being able to meet with other believers, singing (I love to sing!) and praying together, just seemed wrong.

And it is wrong. What is happening around the world is wrong.

I'm not talking about the measures various governments have put in place. I am grateful for those measures that hopefully will protect many and mean that less lives will be lost and fewer families will grieve loved ones.

No, that's not the problem.

Nor am I talking about the suspected origins of the virus or the time it took to get the message out.

No, what is wrong, is the problem that goes back to the Garden of Eden. One that it's not popular to mention, let alone talk about.

Sin.

Equally as unpopular as talking about sin, is talking about the Serpent of Old, the Father of Lies, our Adversary. Sickness and death are a natural consequence of sin that entered the world through the disobedience of the first couple. With one bite of the apple, they exchanged light and truth for lies and darkness. No longer able to commune intimately with their God and their Maker, they became natural heirs to the kingdom of darkness and all its curses.

And so it would have stood except two thousand years ago Jesus, who was fully human AND fully God, came to earth and paid the price for our sins. Mine. Yours. All who believe and put their trust in Him.

As terrible as the COVID-19 pandemic is, it is simply evidence of a much bigger problem: that of the sin and darkness that entered the world a long time ago and which can only be taken away by the One who is the Resurrection and the Life, the One who has power over life and death, the One who is Sovereign, King of Kings, Lord of Lords, the Alpha and Omega, the Son of God who said, "The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." (John 10:10, NKJV).


The Lord reigns;
Let the earth rejoice;
Let the multitude of isles be glad!

Clouds and darkness surround Him;
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne.
A fire goes before Him,
And burns up His enemies round about.
His lightnings light the world;
The earth sees and trembles.
The mountains melt like wax at the presence of the Lord,
At the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.
The heavens declare His righteousness,
And all the peoples see His glory.

Let all be put to shame who serve carved images,
Who boast of idols.
Worship Him, all you gods.
Zion hears and is glad,
And the daughters of Judah rejoice
Because of Your judgments, O Lord.
For You, Lord, are most high above all the earth;
You are exalted far above all gods.

You who love the Lord, hate evil!
He preserves the souls of His saints;
He delivers them out of the hand of the wicked.
Light is sown for the righteous,
And gladness for the upright in heart.
Rejoice in the Lord, you righteous,
And give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name.

Psalm 97, NKJV



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