For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.

Romans 15:4

Ever since Adam sinned, the world had never known true peace and comfort. There have been difficult times such as we see now in the past. Many times, what we usually focus on is the cause of our woes but that is of little importance. Our response in these trying times should not be focused on finding faults; we should be concerned with finding ways to address the problem and learn our lessons well. Many scientists, all over the world, are racing to find a cure for the Coronavirus, and this is a very commendable thing. We pray that God will show them the way and reward their labours by granting their heart desires. Amen!

I wish to address both believers and unbelievers in this short sermon. Many Christians have a wrong notion about the life in Christ. They deem it as a panacea to all their worldly troubles. Those who think this way are right and wrong at the same time. They are right in that the life in Christ will end all suffering and troubles, not in this world, but in the world to come. They are wrong because they look for a life without any suffering in this world, which is impossible. Jesus Himself said, “In the world, you shall have tribulation” (John 16:33). Again, “For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake” (Philippians 1:29). We suffer for Christ when we face troubles as a result of living for Him. Are we not in this world so that we can glorify God by our everyday life, winning souls etc? As we remain faithful to Him whilst we endure persecution, reviling, sickness and all kinds of pain everyday, we suffer for Him.
Therefore, let us not behave as if we are ignorant of the current condition of the world. Have we not be forewarned that dangerous times will come? Whether this is the end or not is of little importance; how you will end your time is what matters? And if you will accept it, humanity has always lived in the end time ever since Christ ascended to heaven. So it is not only our generation which is living in the end time. All the past generations, from the times of the apostles, lived in the end time. Hear what apostle John said, “Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time” (1 John 2:18). He did not say that the last time will come but “it is the last time”. He lived in the end time. This was two thousand years ago. Has the world always not lived in the end time since we do not know when Christ will come? And haave we not individually always lived in the end time since we do not know when we will die? Do not focus on when the kingdom will come, but rather be concerned about whether you will be found in the Kingdom when it comes. Consider what Jesus said in Acts 1:6-7, “When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.”

Therefore, we are not to be afraid as if we are ignorant of what is going on in the world, and neither are we to lose heart; for the God of comfort has given us comfort and hope. God, I repeat, has given us comfort and hope, not in this world but in His Word. In deed, this world offers some comfort but not a lasting one. The things in the world that give us comfort such as family, home, properties, money etc. are the same things that bring us sorrow and trouble. For instance, a mother receive comfort and rejoices greatly when she gives birth to a child. This same mother wails and wallow in sorrow when she loses her child. Again, we rejoice when we are in good health but feel sorrow when we become sick. These operations of the world teach us that we cannot be truly happy in this world. Jesus said that in Him we will have peace but in the world we will have tribulation. Jesus is the Word.
The Scriptures offer comfort because they contain the precious promises of God. Our hearts rejoice and take solace in these promises because God is faithful. Let us look to God for comfort, happiness and hope. Covid-19 is not the first pandemic the world has faced nor will it be the last one if Christ does not come now. This is the hard truth which we must all accept: This world can never make us happy. The system of the world is failing. Look not to this world for happiness but the world to come. Believe in Christ, live for Him and have hope in a better and perfect world where there will be no sickness nor death.
May the Lord grant us grace and wisdom to abide by His Word. Amen!

Minister Derrick Asomaning

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