“I have told you these things so that you may have peace.  In the world you will have tribulation.  But take heart, I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you.  Let your hearts not be troubled, neither let them be afraid”  John 14:27

“Come unto Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”  Matthew 11:28

Tribulations; they come in all shapes and sizes.  And Jesus makes it very clear, in the world they will come.  They don’t come by or because of God; but they do come.  Sometimes we fail to realize that they do come in different manners and impacts.  Sometimes they are individual, centering around depression, anxiety or addiction. Sometimes they are a larger scale, entailing an entire group like a family, a business or even a church.  Sometimes their scale is very grand encompassing an entire globe, as in a pandemic.  What we must understand is whatever the scale, to those going through them, they can be as gut wrenchingly traumatic as the largest natural disaster.

Yet now we are in the midst of a tribulation, a pandemic which is truly global in nature.  The virus cares not for borders or ideologies.  It strikes the richest and poorest. All nations, languages and creeds are feeling its effects.  Surely God has left us.  Surely God has turned His back on His creation to let us fend for ourselves.  Where is God?

Jesus Christ is very clear where God is.  God is with those who find themselves mourning.  He will bless them. He is with those who are finding themselves at this point with food or other resources left over that they can’t use, who are then donating to those  in need and those who are reaching out to help; those who are showing mercy and He will give them mercy. He is there with those who are putting themselves at risk, even risk of death; declaring no greater gift, no greater love is there than when a person will lay down their life for another.   God is there in each of those and so many more.

Jesus Christ is also very clear, God is here.  Jesus Christ is God.  Jesus Christ declared to us there would be tribulation. He explained that tribulation comes in and from the world. However, He also promised, He proclaimed, He lovingly assured us, we can be at peace.  We can live without fear.  We can bring our burdens to Him and have peace.  Jesus Christ declares, He is with us.  He declares He has overcome the world.  God’s covenant with each of us through Jesus Christ is pronounced by Jesus as He affirms that we can do greater works than Christ, if we stay in Christ because He is at the Right Hand of God the Father Almighty. Jesus Christ is right there with you at this very moment and all moments.

“This too will pass”; is not a quote from the bible, but it is truth concerning this pandemic. It is also a truth that you can apply that statement to the personal tribulations you are facing.  What will not “pass” is the fact that God is here with you. What does not “pass” is declared by Paul in his letter to the Romans that: “And we know that for those who love God, all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28)

Dear Sisters and Brothers, let us look to Christ, not just at this time but especially at this time.  Let us cling to His love and peace yet not be selfish with His love and peace.  Let us be swift to spread that peace and love, especially at this time to all around us, regardless of their beliefs or circumstances, knowing we are all creations of our Heavenly Father. That, we might glorify and praise the Name of God in the midst of every tribulation.

Our Most Gracious Heavenly Father, we find ourselves in the midst of a “global pandemic”.  We know that You are aware of the situation.  We also know that You have not abandoned us, continue to Love us and pledge to be with us.  Help us to turn to You during this time and to continue to turn to You at all times.  Help us to call upon Your Son, Jesus Christ and the multiple promises that He declared to us that we may find peace and strength during this and all times. Give us eyes to see the needs of others at this time and spirit to reach out to help. That in this and all circumstances we may bring praise to Your Most Holy Name.  We pray in the Name of Jesus Christ.  Amen.