Why? Why Me? Why Now?

Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them to present himself before the LORD. And the LORD said to Satan, "From where do you come?" Satan answered the LORD and said, "From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it." Then the LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil? And still he holds fast to his integrity, although you incited Me against him, to destroy him without cause." So Satan answered the LORD and said, "Skin for skin! Yes, all that a man has he will give for his life. But stretch out Your hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will surely curse You to Your face!" And the LORD said to Satan, "Behold, he is in your hand, but spare his life." So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD, and struck Job with painful boils from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head (Job 2:1-7).

I have often said that when Christians face trials, tribulations, and temptations, we often ask God the wrong questions - “Why is this happening to me?” “Why is this happening now?” “What did I ever do to deserve this?” etc. These questions have surfaced again like gang-busters since several in our church family have contracted COVID, myself and Nancy included.

For a while it seemed we were by-passing the pandemic as a church. Yes, there were instances when one or two people would come down with it. However, in the last two weeks we have seen 18 members of the church family (that I know of) infected with the virus. And it seems there’s no stopping it. Rest assured we are taking every precaution to stem the tide in the church.

I was asked by a dear lady, “Why has this come upon us all of a sudden, and why is it spreading so rapidly among us?” The CDC and other medicos have their opinions, as do the politicians, friends, and neighbors. Here’s mine.

I believe we are under spiritual attack. This is not a cop-out, and I’m not burying my head in the sand or being super-spiritual. I know Satan is real, and I know he has power to oppress the people of God with anything and everything in his power. Case in point, Job. God permitted Satan to use violence to take away Job’s family, servants, and business. God didn’t orchestrate it - God permitted it, and Satan was happy to do it. When Job didn’t break faith with God, Satan was allowed to afflict Job with sickness and disease, even to the point of death. Again, God didn’t orchestrate it - God permitted it, and Satan had the power to do it.

I encourage us, dear family and friends, to know and understand that Satan is the defacto lord of the earth. He has more weapons in his arsenal to oppress and defeat the people of God than you can imagine. I believe COVID is one of them. He is using it powerfully. This is a test of faith and faithfulness. Yes, do all you can to protect yourself. Yes, take every precaution to keep yourself and your dear ones safe. And by all means put on the armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18), stand in faith in Jesus Christ, and do all you can to remain faithful to Him until the He sees us through. "To Your honor and glory I pray, Lord Jesus, Amen." 

Pastor