Some have called the current situation the Corona Quake. At christianpost.com John Piper, in a discussion on making biblical sense of the Coronavirus, said all natural disasters are a “thunderclap of divine mercy in the midst of judgment, calling all people everywhere to repent and realign their lives, by grace, with the infinite worth of the glory of God.”
After Solomon dedicated the temple to the Lord, the Lord responded:
“When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command the locust to devour the land, or send pestilence among my people, if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” (Chronicles 7:13,14)
Jesus put it a different way: … those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. (Luke 13:4–5)
Piper concluded, “That is the message of Jesus to the world at this moment in history, under the Coronavirus — a message to every single human being, … saying, “Repent.”
Isaiah did just that. The Lord said to Isaiah, “Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for.” The next line is very familiar to us. Isaiah says, “And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?’ Then I said, ‘Here I am! Send me.’” (Isaiah 6:7-8)
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5 thoughts on “God’s Thunderclap”
With the entire world facing difficult circumstances, it is easy to become anxious. I have moments of “what ifs” throughout the day, but I am choosing to trust daily in God’s faithfulness and give thanks in all circumstances.
I’m born again and baptized and praying every day for lost souls. Repent for the kingdom of God is at hand.
Excellent to be reminded about the verses in II Chronicles. It’s hard to not see the Bible being played out in today’s headlines when you read these verses. The key is “if MY people…” – WE are the ones to be humbling ourselves and repenting (not the world). Once we do that, then the world’s eyes will be opened to God and His mighty working.
Regardless of the nature of high-impact events, be they wonderful or difficult, God is serving his purposes through them.
Thank you for sharing this Nelson. I never cease to marvel at how timely God’s word always is.