It is hard to keep from developing a pessimistic outlook for our country when we read and hear the news about the present crisis. Those of us who have lived the past few decades have observed a society going downhill with evil becoming more prevalent. Humanity seems to have become more corrupt and inhumane. It is so depressing to see the increase of immoral and ungodly behavior of humans acting like brute beasts of the field. They seem to have no conscience over their wrongdoing. Homosexuality, abortion, transgenderism and unisex bathrooms are condoned and encouraged. Flagrant, violent crimes are committed, and the perpetrators know they will receive little or no punishment. Because of this disrespect for law and order some even go so far as to injure, and in many cases kill, the law enforcement officers that try to stop them.

Now comes the worldwide threat of the pandemic COVID-19 virus (Corona virus), a virus, previously unknown, that is very difficult to control. It has spread rapidly throughout the world and in many cases results in death. Since it is a new disease there is no known cure yet developed to combat it. At the present time people are advised to isolate themselves from fleshly contact with one another, practicing “social distancing” or separation, staying at least six feet from each other. It has caused churches to either quit meeting for a time, or if meeting, in small groups of less than 10 people, all maintaining their distance, separated from each other.

Even though this virus has created a lot of problems for the saints of God there is no reason to despair. My conviction is that God not only knows about the virus, He cares for His people and will deliver us from it on His timetable. In the meantime, keep trusting God to take care of things while we wait for it to happen. As with all of the many tragedies we suffer in life one day it will pass. “Things wil get better by and by.”

As real Christians we must learn to keep looking up and trusting God. He knows what is happening today, and in His time will take care of it. So, while waiting on God, we need to set our affections on things above where Christ is sitting at the right hand of God Col.3:1-3. This will give us a much better view of life, for our faith tells us that when Christ comes again, we shall also appear with Him in glory Phil.3:20-21. This means things will be better by and by.

The secriptures teach us that as long as we live in the flesh we will be indeed “troubled on every side” 2.Cor.7:5. Sometimes the troubles are from “without” and at times they come from “within.” From without, because of the nature of life in the world. In this we will always have trials, tribulations, calamities, diseases and sorrows of all kinds, At times they come because of our stand for truth Matt.5:10-12; 1.Pet.2:19-20; 3:14-17. But sometimes trouble comes from within self, when we let life get out of focus, because we have taken our eyes off Jesus Christ and the goal of heaven Phil.3:13-16; Heb.12:2.

At such troublesome times we are prompted to ask why does this happen to me? Why do viruses like COVIC-19 come. Why do people act so uncivilized, so hateful, so wickedly during such crises? This is because we see the darkness in life, not the light. It happens because we have taken our eyes off Jesus the true light. He has shown us by example how to properly view life Jn.3:19-21; 1.Jn.1:6-7; 1.Pet.2:22; Heb.12:3-4. It also happens when we dwell on the limitations of life, not the potentials. People think, “I can’t overcome it so I won’t try.” They are defeated before they start. But, with Jesus’ help we can do a lot better Phil.4:13. Why should we let obstacles in life hinder us, rather than seizing the opportunities to do better and overcome. We are told not to keep dwelling on our inabilities (weaknesses) rather dwell on the strength given to us by the Lord. He will help us overcome. People who continually dwell on the conflicts within self, will find no peace Phil.4:7.

But as we who are Christians face the problems of life, and certainly there are many, socially, morally, politically and religiously, keep in mind the things that are already better for us because we keep our trust in God. Remember, we once were a people without God and without hope. At that time we had not enjoyed His grace and mercy; but now as Christians we are the people of God with a living hope because we have obtained mercy through obedience to His Son 1.Pet.1:2-5; 2:9-10. We once were filthy sinners, children of the devil, but now we have been redeemed and purified, being born again into God’s family 1.Pet.1:18-19, 22-25.

Yes, things will get better by and by when we think on the positive things. We know we will always have problems in life, but if we faithfully trust in and serve the Lord things will continue to get better. As our faith grows stronger, we are spiritually renewed daily as we look for something better than this world. Death is less of a threat to us as our hope of resurrection and heaven becomes more firm Phil.1:21-25; Heb.11:16. One day, when life is over, we will be privileged to enter that “city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God,” that “heavenly country, where God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them”” Heb.11:10, 16.

THINGS WILL GET BETTER BY AND BY – 2.COR.7:4-7 It is hard to keep from developing a pessimistic outlook for our country when we read and hear the news about the present crisis. Those of us who have lived the past few decades have observed a society going downhill with evil becoming more prevalent. Humanity seems to have become more corrupt and inhumane. It is so depressing to see the increase of immoral and ungodly behavior of humans acting like brute beasts of the field. They seem to have no conscience over their wrongdoing. Homosexuality, abortion, transgenderism and unisex bathrooms are condoned and encouraged. Flagrant, violent crimes are committed, and the perpetrators know they will receive little or no punishment. Because of this disrespect for law and order some even go so far as to injure, and in many cases kill, the law enforcement officers that try to stop them. Now comes the worldwide threat of the pandemic COVID-19 virus (Corona virus), a virus, previously unknown, that is very difficult to control. It has spread rapidly throughout the world and in many cases results in death. Since it is a new disease there is no known cure yet developed to combat it. At the present time people are advised to isolate themselves from fleshly contact with one another, practicing “social distancing” or separation, staying at least six feet from each other. It has caused churches to either quit meeting for a time, or if meeting, in small groups of less than 10 people, all maintaining their distance, separated from each other. Even though this virus has created a lot of problems for the saints of God there is no reason to despair. My conviction is that God not only knows about the virus, He cares for His people and will deliver us from it on His timetable. In the meantime, keep trusting God to take care of things while we wait for it to happen. As with all of the many tragedies we suffer in life one day it will pass. “Things wil get better by and by.” As real Christians we must learn to keep looking up and trusting God. He knows what is happening today, and in His time will take care of it. So, while waiting on God, we need to set our affections on things above where Christ is sitting at the right hand of God Col.3:1-3. This will give us a much better view of life, for our faith tells us that when Christ comes again, we shall also appear with Him in glory Phil.3:20-21. This means things will be better by and by. The secriptures teach us that as long as we live in the flesh we will be indeed “troubled on every side” 2.Cor.7:5. Sometimes the troubles are from “without” and at times they come from “within.” From without, because of the nature of life in the world. In this we will always have trials, tribulations, calamities, diseases and sorrows of all kinds, At times they come because of our stand for truth Matt.5:10-12; 1.Pet.2:19-20; 3:14-17. But sometimes trouble comes from within self, when we let life get out of focus, because we have taken our eyes off Jesus Christ and the goal of heaven Phil.3:13-16; Heb.12:2. At such troublesome times we are prompted to ask why does this happen to me? Why do viruses like COVIC-19 come. Why do people act so uncivilized, so hateful, so wickedly during such crises? This is because we see the darkness in life, not the light. It happens because we have taken our eyes off Jesus the true light. He has shown us by example how to properly view life Jn.3:19-21; 1.Jn.1:6-7; 1.Pet.2:22; Heb.12:3-4. It also happens when we dwell on the limitations of life, not the potentials. People think, “I can’t overcome it so I won’t try.” They are defeated before they start. But, with Jesus’ help we can do a lot better Phil.4:13. Why should we let obstacles in life hinder us, rather than seizing the opportunities to do better and overcome. We are told not to keep dwelling on our inabilities (weaknesses) rather dwell on the strength given to us by the Lord. He will help us overcome. People who continually dwell on the conflicts within self, will find no peace Phil.4:7. But as we who are Christians face the problems of life, and certainly there are many, socially, morally, politically and religiously, keep in mind the things that are already better for us because we keep our trust in God. Remember, we once were a people without God and without hope. At that time we had not enjoyed His grace and mercy; but now as Christians we are the people of God with a living hope because we have obtained mercy through obedience to His Son 1.Pet.1:2-5; 2:9-10. We once were filthy sinners, children of the devil, but now we have been redeemed and purified, being born again into God’s family 1.Pet.1:18-19, 22-25. Yes, things will get better by and by when we think on the positive things. We know we will always have problems in life, but if we faithfully trust in and serve the Lord things will continue to get better. As our faith grows stronger, we are spiritually renewed daily as we look for something better than this world. Death is less of a threat to us as our hope of resurrection and heaven becomes more firm Phil.1:21-25; Heb.11:16. One day, when life is over, we will be privileged to enter that “city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God,” that “heavenly country, where God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them”” Heb.11:10, 16.

By Tommy Thornhill