Living Your Faith in Extraordinary Times

Introduction

When faced with difficult times, one often has to make difficult decisions. And, when faced with the possibility of experiencing the loss of a loved one, or the loss of one’s own life, decisions become even more heart-wrenching for most. What does one do when faced with the reality of a new normal that may be uncomfortable at best?

Today, if only for the time being, our world has changed. The way that we are accustomed to living and doing business has been dramatically impacted by the spread of COVID-19 - the disease that is not only responsible for country-border shut downs, but now has some economies fearing collapse.

Men Ought Always to Pray

More importantly, it threatens the well-being of billions of people and has killed above 15,000 with the numbers still climbing in just months of becoming known to mankind. What does one do in the face of such painful realities? There is a word for the people of God, and for all of mankind during such times.

The Voice of Sacred History

Patience, Comfort and Hope through the Scriptures: The Bible tells us in : “Whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.”

The Battle Belongs to the Lord ()

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that “Whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.”

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There are battles that we fight that are bigger than we are; recognize that the battle belongs to the Lord:

Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, walked faithfully before the Lord, and one day, two kingdoms - the Moabites and the Ammonites - determined to band together and come against Judah without just cause. Jehoshaphat became afraid and declared a fast for his people.

Jehoshaphat praised God in prayer as being all powerful in everything and in every way, and further said that it was the Lord that gave them the land that they now possessed. He reminded God that it was He that established His own name in the land among His people, and that the Lord’s sanctuary was built for this very reason - times of war, judgement, pestilence or famine.

Jehoshaphat acknowledged that they could not defeat the great horde coming against them, that he did not know what to do, and that their eyes are on the Lord for deliverance. And, God delivered! They did not have to fight in this battle - it was the Lord’s ().

The “Spanish Flu” Pandemic

In late September, 1918, the Spanish flu had hit Nashville, Tennessee; by November of the same year, it had killed 1,300 - one percent of that city’s population. It is said that the Spanish flu was the worst pandemic in modern history - it killed 700,000 in the US alone and 50 million world-wide.

There were lock-down protocols set in motion much the same as the ones that the world is experiencing now. Most churches - including churches of Christ - complied with lock-down recommendations and requirements. The churches of Christ that did not comply, volunteered their buildings to the Red Cross as temporary hospitals because the public health system became overwhelmed, and members focused on serving the poor as best they could; some died caring for the sick.

Undaunted Faith

Faith is our key to victory; through it, we rely upon the power of Almighty God ().

Believers are called to imitate the lives of brethren regarding faithfulness to the Lord. In the face of danger and even the possibility of death, we are called to fervently walk with God not only in thoughts and word, but also in deeds (; ).

Men Ought Always to Pray

Hold Fast to Your Faith

In times of great distress, how does one keep faith not only alive, but also strong? Jesus related the incident of a wicked judge that would not give a widow immediate relief from a neighbour that continually harassed her. Eventually, due to the widow’s persistence, the judge became warn out and provided a judgment against the wicked neighbour. Jesus then reminds us that God will come to our aid even more readily than the wicked judge that assisted the widow if we would only persevere under harsh circumstance while continuing to bring our requests before God’s throne ().

Prayer Changes Things

Prayers of the faithful have changed the course of life and history (). Prayer invites God to exercise His sovereignty over that which humanity has absolutely little to no control over (; ). It provides comfort to troubled hearts and minds by allowing us to focus on that which is better ().

The Faith of Saints Past

The “Spanish” flu Pandemic

In late September, 1918, the Spanish flu had hit Nashville, Tennessee; by November of the same year, it had killed 1,300 - one percent of that city’s population. It is said that the Spanish flu was the worst pandemic in modern history - it killed 700,000 in the US alone and at least 50 million world-wide.

There were lock-down protocols set in motion much the same as the ones that the world is experiencing now. Most churches complied with lock-down recommendations and requirements. Some churches that did not comply, volunteered their buildings to the Red Cross as temporary hospitals because the public health system became overwhelmed; members of those churches focused on serving the poor as best they could - some died caring for the sick. Their faith was undaunted even in the face of almost certain death.

Faith is Your Victory

Through faith, we rely upon the power of Almighty God to protect and deliver us (). It is our victory ( ). Believers are called to imitate the lives of brethren regarding faith ().

Believers are called to imitate the lives of brethren regarding faithfulness to the Lord ().

Conclusion

The Reward of Faith

As the Psalmist declared: “Some trust in chariots and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the Lord our God. They are brought down and fallen: but we are risen and stand upright.” () God is just - He will not forget the goodness of our hearts that we demonstrate toward other - especially toward believers (; ). These are indeed extraordinary times, and they require extraordinary faith to match. Our God is faithful and will never leave nor forsake us (; ). Perhaps now more than ever before, it’s time for those of us that believe to live the faith that we have received - the just shall live by faith ().