Post Covid World for a Christian

It doesn’t matter which corner of the world you reside. The under current of Covid-19 has changed the shape of every society, government and culture. World events have that effect, and once in a century events even more so. This Covid whirlwind has changed every country simultaneously. The virus has halted plans, dreams and lives in a way that no army in history could have done. And somewhere in the midst of all of the upheaval is God who sits on His throne with divine and all knowing control in this world. 

Is it an opinion that is needed? No, there are already too many. Is a behind the science prediction called for? Those have been given and given again, changing like the wind in good faith attempts to stem the tide. What about the prophets? Should we call a consortium of prophetic voices to direct and secure the future in these times? I am reminded of the many times that good and faithful men and women have spoken but not spoken the truth in the midst of extreme change. 

No matter what corner of the world you live in, there is a common distress that has affected every church and every community. The first questions we ask one another are about the effects of the virus but seldom the plans going forward. Most have adopted a “wait and see” and “hold as steady as possible” position.

I have walked with the Lord now since 1971 and this scenario is different that anything I have known in these ways.

Though worldwide events have often taken place, the Covid 19 pandemic is not only an “event” but the raw material for systemic change in every part of life, no matter the country.

Covid-19 has literally changed pastoral and church processes around the world. In one sense, ministry has more in common than ever before because of this flattening effect across the globe.

We are living with a greater unknown than has ever been presented making it most difficult if not impossible to plan in the way we have been accustomed.

A “post-Covid” world? There is a sincere sense that the changes will not go away as the result of a vaccine, cure or disappearing of the disease. Even with the eradication of the pandemic, the social and global politics that have been employed has changed national landscapes. With all the bad news in the offering, is there anything positive we can hope for?

Job faced a similar yet very private dilemma. His world had changed and would never return to the normal of yesterday. His children had died, his possessions destroyed, his businesses bankrupt… there was no going back to the world that had suddenly and drastically been destroyed. God, whom he had served with humility and passion, was silent even as he pursued an answer to his suffering. The wisdom of his friends proved impotent as well as his own mental anguish. But then a breakthrough. Job 38:1-3 records the moment.

Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind and said, “Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge? Gird up your loins like a man, and I will ask you , and you instruct Me!” 

The final movement in the epic drama of Job begins. God says to Job, “Stop conversing with those who speak but don’t know what they are talking about as well as the lonely brooding of these past days and talk to Me, the Almighty Creator God!”

The first step in going forward in the post-pandemic world is to step out of all the chatter and listen to God alone. He still declares to those who will listen,“Be still and know that I am God,” Psalm 46:10. Take note of Abraham, Moses, Joseph, David, Isaiah, Jeremiah and Daniel. In the end, they met with God and heard prophetically what remains rhema for the church today.

Secondly, when God spoke to Job He did not explain or answer the questions that Job asked throughout. In other words, He did not answer Job’s questions or explain His ways but presented Job with His glory. When we seek God’s glory instead of demanding rational expla nations, we are able to trust God’s goodness and ultimate wisdom in all of life, not just the parts that are advant ageous to our lives. 

God speaks to Job about the awesome wonder of creation and the inability of man to understand. As a result, Job is dumbfounded and unable to respond except in humility and repentance. His response is, “I know you can do all things… therefore, I have declared that which I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know…  I retract, and I repent in dust and ashes.” Job 42:1-6 selected

The story of Job is soon to end in the final 10 verses. In those ten verses the movement beyond Job’s private pandemic is recor ded. I believe that because Job turned to God, declared His authority and wisdom, and humbled himself that God fulfilled the promise that “the latter glory would be greater than the former,” Haggai 2:9. The last chapter of Job specifically states three great promises for those who will do the same.

Vs. 8, “I will accept him…”One of the greatest gifts in all of creation is the unmerited accep tance of the Father and Job was one of the first to be declared “accepted in the Beloved!” When we set our hearts to know the heart of God and not just His hand, our acceptance is guar anteed.

Vs. 10, The Lord restored…Resto ration means to be brought back to original intent. Restoration is a delivering process from the wounding and brokenness of sin, life in this world, and enemy attack. It is beyond healing and affects every part of human nature – body, soul, and spirit.

Vs. 12, The Lord blessed… Bless ings go beyond restoration. Restoration is recognized because it is a return to what we were but blessings are always a surprise! God surprised Job with more than he could imagine. Though the sting of the losses endured would remain for a lifetime, the soothing blessings of God were sure to comfort. 

Job’s world was forever changed as the result of the God ordained tragedies he endured, much like our own world is experiencing right now. What is different is that we know that Job remained faithful and sincere in his devotion to God throughout. That remains the question for the church today. Beyond the current circumstances, tragedies, and systemic change now upon us the same question remains that Jesus asked the disciples in Luke 18. “Will God not bring about justice for His elect who cry out to Him day and night, and will He delay long for them? I tell you that He will bring about justice for them quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find ]faith on the earth?”

The post-covid response of the church will be dictated by the current faith of the church. Remain true to your calling as Kingdom saints. Remain humble and repentant before the Lord of Hosts. Remain faithful above all else, for surely our God will never fail us in these desperate times!