Episode 6--Does God Create Pandemics?

Pandemics! What does the Bible say?

 

Episode intro:

Hello, Civilla Morgan here! Welcome to episode 06 of the Not Just Another Religion and Politics Podcast! Thank you for tuning in! So here’s the deal: 

I want this podcast to speak to people, not yell at people. Whether you are a Believer or not, a Christian or not, I want this podcast to be so plain in its language, that even if you have never stepped foot in a church, you will get this. You will get who Jesus is, and you will get what relationship with Him could be like, despite what people--Christians and non-Christians, try to do to get you to turn your back. Come along with me. I promise it will be a really cool experience!   

This really goes without saying, but I will say it anyway. We were already living in quite interesting times. But another layer was added within the last few months as of the time of this recording. We are literally living in the midst of a pandemic. Thousands of people have died since December 2019, and we are in April 2020 as I create this episode. 

There is actually a death count clock on some of the news channels. Families are being interviewed about lost loved ones. The New York City police department is down 15 or 20% of its workforce. New York City is the epicenter of the pandemic, although the first cases were found in Seattle, Washington. 

People are wearing masks when they leave their homes, and because our medical community nationwide is low on what everyone now actually knows the meaning of, PPE’s--personal protective equipment, which includes masks, gowns, and basic protective gear against the virus; the general public does not have ready access to masks, so many people are making their own. 

Most Americans are under government order to stay at home. And many of us who still have jobs are now working at home. 

Children are being taught their lessons via video. 

Many small businesses are closed, some will never re-open. The larger businesses, like the amusement parks, have furloughed or laid off most of their employees. Grocery stores, including Walmart, are open as they are ‘essential businesses’, one of the new terms created during this pandemic. And these same stores are only allowing a certain number of people in the store at a time.  

It sounds and feels like the end times many Christians have heard about in countless sermons. But it is different than what I believe the end times will be like because those of us who have survived this pandemic are using our quarantine time to learn new things, get caught up on projects, and for those of us who are Believers, to dig deeper into our time with God.

I have heard many people say these very things. And it has really been true for me. Even in the midst of so much loss of life, loss of jobs, the upending of our global economy, and spending so much time in our homes; we are already seeing the silver lining. We get to catch up with all of the things we have been putting off due to the busyness of life. 

I believe in the end times there will be a different dare I say spirit? I could be wrong. But I believe it will feel more ominous. 

At any rate, I’ve been doing some research on what God says about pandemics. But before we get into that, I would like to share some strategies for staying safe during this and most likely any pandemic: 

Number one: 

• Follow the CDC guidelines. Many people outside of the at-risk demographic are now getting sick and even dying. It’s no longer the elderly or just people with pre-existing conditions. Very young people have died, even infants. 

 What are the guidelines: 

1. Stay home as much as you can, only going out if you absolutely need to, for groceries or to the pharmacy. If your pharmacy offers delivery, sign up for it.  
2. Practice social distancing, it can save your life! Social distancing is staying six feet away from people when you are out running those errands. 
3. Do not gather in groups of more than 10 people.  

Number two: 

• Consider those in your family who are at risk, or who have pre-existing conditions. Pre-existing conditions include high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, lung diseases, autoimmune conditions, etc. And remember, we may not always know who is at risk. There are many young and younger people out there who may seem OK, but they may have the aforementioned conditions and even conditions I have not mentioned here.  Let’s just consider each other as we go about our day, even if we are staying in place. In fact, I have even heard doctors say that if we act as if everyone has the virus, that could save us. 

Number three:

And this is very important:

1. Get the mental health help you need.  We all know that everyone deals with stress very differently. Some people withdraw, some people lash out, some people just lose it altogether. We do not know who we are interacting with on the roads, in the grocery stores, standing in line, on a good day. But when a global pandemic hits us, and they are using the term ‘we are in this together’, we literally are. Be careful when interacting with others. Let things go even if you are in the right. Just let it go so you can make it home to your family.  Stress brings out people’s true colors, and some of those colors are ugly! So now the day to day stresses of life have another layer. Several more layers actually, because the virus has caused family members to die, jobs have been lost, and now we have to deal with this temporary new normal. If you are feeling overwhelmed please, please seek help. Speak to a trusted friend, a pastor, priest, or therapist. Someone who can speak with you objectively. Many major corporations offer assistance through their EAP’s--employee assistance programs. Please do not be afraid to ask for help. Do not try to be strong and suffer in silence. We are all human and we can only take so much. This is new for all of us. It’s OK to get help.

Number four: 

• Look out for your neighbors, especially the elderly and the shut-ins. Those who cannot fend for themselves, or go to the grocery store. Be aware of those around you who could use some assistance. Run an errand for them when you are running an errand. 

And finally:

• The scam artists are out in full force to take advantage of people. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Please be careful. 

So, what does God think about Pandemics? Did He create them? Did He create this one? Is He punishing us? 

 Those of us who are Believers should not be surprised at the state of the world pre- or post COVID19. We live in a fallen world. It may sound a bit like a cop-out to say that, but it is true. In a fallen world no one is exempt from the pains of the world. The second half of Matthew 5:45 says ‘...He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.’  

No one is exempt when these things happen. So why become a Believer? Why are some of us Christians? Because who would, could, we rely on in the bad times? Even the people that love us most on this planet are not perfect. They may not always be there. And in fact, they do not know our end to our beginning or, our beginning to our end.   

Wouldn’t it be better to trust in the one who knows why even if He does not always tell us why? Even in loss, He is the way. Even in grief, even when we literally do not know what is next. He is the only one who has the power to turn things around, to fix things, to bring life even in the midst of dead things.   

Isaiah 46:9 says ‘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. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.’

I used to think this verse was a little harsh like I will do what I please whether you like it or not. But I believe what He is actually saying is that there is literally no one above him to tell Him what to do so He is literally doing what He wants, but not to our detriment. 

Some people see God as a tyrant, and this verse may make it seem as though He is. But He is not a tyrant. Tyranny is not His go-to place. He is Love first. Love is His go-to place. It’s just that He does allow certain things to happen or not happen and we may never get to see or know why. The answer may show up long after we have left this earthly bound. This is where trust comes in.

We have to trust Him even when life seems severely unfair. All of this loss of life, so many hundreds of thousands of families have suddenly lost loved ones. Their lives have changed overnight. Suddenly. Just like that! It’s not fair. But God sees, He knows. But this world is fallen. It is filled with sin and disease. He will not heal everyone, He will not fix every issue. Not right now. But one day, when He comes back for us, His Believers, He will make everything right. 

I know, like you, I wish He could make everything right now.  But that’s just not how He operates. And remember, He is God all by Himself. He will not tell us everything. He will not answer our every why.

Many non-Christians, and honestly at times many Christians ask the very same question: ‘why does God allow…

And there tends to be anger when the question gets asked. But the answer is, as I said earlier, we live in a fallen world. There is no perfection here. The sin committed by Adam and Eve changed the way the world looks. Even nature is not exactly as it should be, as beautiful as it is. None of what we see is as it was originally created to be. 

The fact is, when the door is opened to sin, sin will come in. And it will come in and take over. That is exactly what has happened to our world. 

Many non-Christians also wonder how Christians, Believers, could believe and trust in a God who ‘allows’ things like pandemics. But that’s the point I made earlier. Who else could we trust in, would we trust in, when such mayhem comes our way. I would not want to trust in man to help me keep a positive mindset. All the other people I know are just as concerned as I am. This pandemic is a concerning issue, no matter how strong in our faith we are. We trust God, we believe in His wisdom even in the midst of this pandemic, but we are not perfect. We will still wonder if it could come our way, wonder what if it infects a family member or friend? It’s only human of us. But at the end of the day, the difference is we trust Him no matter what.  Who would a non-Believer trust no matter what? Who would you rely on no matter what? Who would allow you to rely on them no matter what? There is no human that would not become tired after a while, of having others rely on them, even those they love and who love them. Everyone needs a break. God never needs a break. We can go to him with anything at any time, for the rest of our lives. 

That my friends is what the Bible says about pandemics. 

I hope that this episode has provided answers and hope in the midst of this difficult time. Please feel free to reach out to me if you have questions or concerns, or if you need prayer.      

Scriptures mentioned:

‘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. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.’

Isaiah 46:09-10 New International Version (NIV)

‘You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 7 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of birth pains.’

“Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. 10 At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, 11 and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. 12 Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, 13 but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.’

Matthew 24:6-13 New International Version (NIV)

New International Version (NIV)

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Episode Takeaways:

‘It’s kind of like falling in love. The grass is greener, the sky is bluer, the birds are chirpier.’

‘Be aware of those around you, especially those who cannot fend for themselves. Run an errand for them when you are running an errand for yourself.’ 

‘When the door is opened to sin, sin will come in and take over.’

‘Everyone needs a break. God never needs a break.’

‘We were already living in quite interesting times.’

‘I believe in the end times there will be a...different spirit.’

‘Tyranny is not His go-to place, love is His go-to place.’

 

Closing commentary:

Don’t forget, I would love to hear from you on the question: 

‘Who is God?’ 

Episode outro:

Well, thank you for tuning in. Let me know via social media or by email if you have feedback. I would love to hear from you! You may email me at [email protected]. Please give me 24 to 48 hours to respond. And don’t forget to check the show notes for the sources used for this episode. Until next time! 

 

Episode quote:

‘...but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.’--Matthew 24:13.

 

Research links and articles of interest: 

https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/theological-reflections-pandemic/

 

https://www.gotquestions.org/pandemic-diseases.html