Ruth 1:20-21, James 4:13-15, God’s Severe Providence

Ruth 1:20-21, James 4:13-15, God’s Severe Providence

1 Thes. 5:9-11,
9.For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.
10. He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him.
11. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

James 5:13-16,
 13.Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money."
 14.Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.
 15.Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that."
 16.As it is, you boast and brag. All such boasting is evil.

  We are now passing through a long tunnel called Covid 19. Millions suffered, and hundreds of thousands died. We realize that the world or man is not solid. Do you stand on a durable foundation? (Corona Virus and Christ, by J. Piper)

 1. Who governs the world?

  President Trump was angry with the soldier who was caring for him a few days ago. Neither man nor world power forever. Less than 1/100,000 cm of viruses are ruled.
James 4:13-16, 'Life is mist... If it is the will of the Lord, we will live, and do this, or that.'  Life is under God's sovereignty. The sunlight of Bible's truth lives on. 

2. Come on to a solid rock.

  The only rock we will rely on is God and Jesus Christ. 2 Sam. 22:32, "Besides Jehovah who is the rock?” 1 Cor. 10:4, "... The rock is the Christ." Why? God/His Word is solid and eternal. 1 Peter 1:24-25, "Only the Word of the Lord is a solid rock in any situation.” (Jeremiah 15:16). It also comforts us under the Corona virus. Ps. 34:18,19, 'He closes to the broken hearted... God comforts us when the plague threatens us.

3. God, the rock, is holy, righteous, and good.

  Even if the Corona virus outbreaks, God is righteous, holy, and good.
1 Sam. 2:2, “There is no holy one like Jehovah. There is no rock like God.”

4. God is the sovereign who governs all things.

  God gives harsh providence. Naomi's confession of the loss of her husband and two sons, Ruth 1:20,21, "Do not call me Naomi (joy), but call me (bitter pain), because the Almighty has made my life very bitter. She experienced a terrible reality. The harsh providence of God!

How does God rule?
1) God does what he wants. Lam. 3:32,33, 32.Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love. 33.For he does not willingly bring affliction or grief to the children of men. 
2) God presides over all things. Ps.135:6, Jonah's God also rules the Corona virus.  Dt. 32:29. "See now that I myself am He! There is no god besides me. I put to death and I bring to life, I have wounded and I will heal, and no one can deliver out of my hand.“

5. God's reign is sweet.

  God’s reign of the corona virus and our life are sweet. God gives us the disease and power to beat it, death also eternal life in heaven. Only God governs our life. Rom. 11:33, God benefits the Saints through the Corona virus.
1) For sinners gave everything. Rom. 8:32, the cross and blood. Even in the midst of a crisis, we give victory. Rom. 8:35-39, 35.Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36.As it is written: "For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered." 37.No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
2) Even Satan's evil intentions turn to good. Gen. 50:20,
3) He cares for a sparrow, even our hair. Mt. 10:29-31, Rom. 8:28, And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
4) We do not die until the work of God is over. 
 *The confession of Henry Martyn, a missionary in India and Persia, six months before his death, said, 'If the Lord had something to leave to me, I would not die.'  1 Peter 5:9-11, 'I will live with the Lord or die with Him !‘

 Prayer)
  God, we are sinners. Forgive us for the sins that have pursued and followed the world more than the Lord. Forgive us for the sins that have made the world and the voice of man closer to the Word of the Lord. Save us. Through this pandemic, let the Will of the Lord come to you. Be merciful to escape this suffering in the Lord's providence.
  Comfort and heal those who are afflicted. May this misery and sorrow be disappeared in the Lord's help. Treat your patients and comfort the medical staff. Help us quickly end this crisis and once again become the people who serve the Lord right before the Lord. Help our church have the work of Jesus' life and salvation. In name of Jesus. Amen.