Galatians 6:9 says, “Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we shall reap if we do not grow weary.” This season of pandemic has brought discouragement and despair to many. Some have grown weary and lost heart.
Jesus told a parable in Luke 18 “to show that at all times they ought to pray and not to lose heart” (v. 1). The synonyms are many, but they all carry the same basic idea: discouragement, or losing heart. Along with it comes things like despair, depression, hopelessness, etc.
The COVID-19 onslaught has touched people all over the world. Some have given up, while others are exhausted. But how should Christians live in the context of this global crisis? Above everything, we should pray, because praying prevents us from losing heart. In 1 Thessalonians 5:17, Paul wrote that we should “pray without ceasing.”
What happens when it seems our prayers are not being answered? Discouragement, a choice weapon of Satan, can become an oppressive reality. According to the parable in Luke 18, the point is to keep praying — over and over, again and again — with a faith that refuses to give up because we have been given the mandate to pray. The judge in the parable did not fear God or respect people, but because of the persistence of one woman who kept asking him for justice, he gave it to her. He said, “Because this widow bothers me, I will give her legal protection, lest by continually coming she wear me out.”
God is not like that unjust judge, but He wants us to keep asking Him. At the best time, He will answer. Luke 18:7 says, “Shall not God bring about justice for His elect, who cry to Him day and night, and will He delay long over them?”
God has not abdicated His sovereign throne during this pandemic. He was God before COVID-19, during the pandemic, and He will be God after the pandemic. God is not a fairy tale but a reality.
What about the radical left that has infiltrated universities, governments, religions and mainstream media outlets, spawning various lawless and violent movements? God is still God, and He still rules. The late R.C. Sproul used to say, “With God, some people get justice; some people get mercy; but nobody gets injustice.” Whether it’s a pandemic, a riot, racism, injustice, a disease, lawlessness, anarchy or any variety of godless activities, God remains a God of justice, and, thank God, mercy.
We do not know what a day may bring forth, but God does. When Jesus told us not to worry about anything, especially tomorrow, He counseled us that each day has enough trouble of its own (Matthew 6:34).
Our call is not to grow weary in trusting God and serving Him. He has not, and will not, forsake us. He is a very present help in the time of trouble. What can we do? Live one day at a time and pray.