“He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.” Mark 4:39
Sickness can be a painful subject, especially when we are the ones who get sick, or if someone close to us grows ill and dies. We grapple with the suddenlies: the sudden pain, sudden suffering, sudden burden on finances, sudden death. And though our theology may fail us (or buoy us, depending on how we see God), one thing is for sure: “The LORD still sits enthroned over the flood; the LORD is enthroned as King forever” (Psalm 29:10).
We may not have all the why’s of our circumstances, but we can be assured of the fact that God knows what is happening to us. He isn’t alarmed at our situation. In fact, because of His proven character of faithfulness, we can already believe that He is brewing something to show the world His redemption and kindness.
The Psalms would declare this over and over about His character: “His love endures forever” –even in the midst of difficult circumstances (Psalm 136 is an example).
I especially enjoy one story in the New Testament where the disciples are in a boat, and a furious storm brews around them (see Mark 4). Jesus happens to be sleeping in the boat (yes, what a sound sleeper, since the boat is described in verse 37 as being nearly swamped. I can almost hear the disciples shouting instructions at each other!). They decide to wake the Lord up. What does Jesus do? He takes authority of the waves. The wind dies down. Everything becomes calm.
Coronavirus circumstances may seem like a modern-day squall to deal with. We cannot control a pandemic. We cannot control the spread of a virus so small. We cannot control death. Yet, we have Someone in the boat with us. And this Someone cares. He may only seem to be asleep, but mind you, He is very aware of what is happening. He is God. The future is seen by Him.
“Remember the former things, those of long ago;
I am God, and there is no other;
I am God, and there is none like me.
I make known the end from the beginning,
from ancient times, what is still to come…” Isaiah 46:9-10a
Despite everything, let our faith arise. Jesus still sits enthroned over the flood that sweeps the world. He may not stop this flood just yet, but He is aware of every wave; every tear; every utterance of despair. He hasn’t grown powerless. And He can still speak. And when He speaks, things happen. The waves die down.
Isaiah 44:22 says, “He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth, and its people are like grasshoppers. He stretches out the heavens like a canopy, and spreads them out like a tent to live in.”
Let’s allow for events—and our perception of events— to bend toward the Truth of Scripture. Let’s not lose hope. We have a God who is still King over the flood.
We wait in hope for the Lord;
he is our help and our shield.
In him our hearts rejoice,
for we trust in his holy name.
May your unfailing love be with us, Lord,
even as we put our hope in you. – Psalm 33:20-22
Janina Marie Rivera is the Editor-in-Chief of One Voice Magazine, a teacher of world literature, and a student of the Bible. She enjoys reflecting on life’s curve balls and plateaus. She resides in the Philippines, the country known for people who smile a lot.
