Did your church yesterday in some way speak about Coronavirus? Something taught to me years ago is something I pass on to our students: TOMA, Top of the Mind Awareness. What are people thinking about when they come to church?
I have no way to sort out all the confusing news reports about this health threat. Time will tell, but for now I can only think about it theologically. Although reflecting on God’s Word won’t necessarily stop a pandemic, it can lead you and me to say, “Whatever happens, it is well with my soul.”
The virus can scare us because we don’t have control over it. Lack of control can lead to fear and fear can lead to anger. Some blame China; others blame our government. In the blame-game anger is present. Anger comes when something we hold dear is threatened, in this case our lives and the lives of those close to us may be threatened. When we follow the news with spiritual eyes, we see human nature as it really is, as we really are apart from grace.
Psalm 91 sharpens our spiritual understanding of this health crisis. “When he calls to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him…No plague shall come near your tent….” Like other threats that come our way, we’re doubting human ability to solve the crisis and call to God, but when we call to God in our need, is this psalm really true? Does God answer your every prayer? Does He rescue you from the trouble of the day? Long life? No plague?”
Reading the psalm thinking only of yourself and God, you wonder. However, if you read it as promises fulfilled in Jesus Christ, then the promises are indeed true. God answered Jesus’ prayers and sustained Him in a world of hurt. Jesus has a long-life, thanks to His resurrection from the dead. While Jesus as a true man would have experienced illness, no illness took Him down. So Jesus calms our TOMA. “It is no longer I who live but Christ who lives in me” (Galatians 2:20). Baptized and believing in Jesus, it can be well with your soul. TOMA, top of the mind awareness, comes to Jesus.
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