[This is one in a series of mid-week Reflections published by Horley Baptist Church during November 2020]
A few weeks ago a major drugs company claimed 90% success for its new anti-COVID vaccine, whilst last week a prominent research establishment announced its own vaccine with a claimed success rate of 70%. But nobody mentioned the remaining 10% or 30%, or those who are too far back in the queue to even get the vaccine. Recently, an international tennis star was tested for COVID, prior to another tournament. She had already tested negative 19 times but the twentieth was positive. In the US, a prominent businessman tested both negative and positive on the same day. Unproven and inconsistent results like these do not inspire confidence.
Yesterday saw the funeral of a popular local teacher, in mid career. She was a highly competent teacher of art but was, like so many people, without any experience of computers. The stress of being compelled to learn the techniques of online teaching was too much for her, and she joins the ranks of those who have died without contracting COVID but no less because of it.
We are reminded of the story of Job who, despite the loss of his wealth and the attacks on his health, and without understand the meaning of it all, nevertheless held fast to his confidence in God. “Why has God done this?” is not a valid question; better to ask “Why has God allowed this?”. Perhaps, like Job, we don’t need to know; ours not to reason why and we should replace those questions pointed at God with another addressed to us: “Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?” [Job 2 v10]
In 1883 Daniel Whittle, the hymn writer and Bible teacher, wrote these words based on 2 Timothy 1 v12:
“I know not what of good or ill may be reserved for me,
of weary ways or golden days before his face I see.
But ‘I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able
to keep that which I’ve committed unto him against that day.’”
Can you identify with that certainty? Perhaps these words from Hebrews chapter 4 will help:
Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
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Contributed by Steve Humphreys; © the Author
