Biblical Truths to Dwell on During a Pandemic

What are some biblical truths we can dwell on, that we can share with our children, and that we can encourage others around us with in times that are so unknown like a pandemic moving across the globe? Who is God in the midst of all of this and can we trust Him when so much hurt and pain is going on? Can we trust Him when our world is changing daily, maybe even hourly?

It is crazy how one week of the world turning upside down causes the world to panic and fear. In these times, we are humbled and reminded that we are not the ones in control over ourselves or the world that we live in. Thankfully we have a good, sovereign Creator who IS in fact in control.

Below are 8 biblical truths that I pray will not only bless you today, but will open an opportunity as you disciple your kids and others in your life. This is a perfect example of what it means to be an everyday disciple and make everyday disciples- as we go about struggles in our life, we bring others along and teach them about who God is and how He impacts the everyday moments of our lives in the midst of it. We dive into the hard areas when people are struggling and remind them who God is and point them to Him.

8 Biblical Truths About God’s Character:

1. God is sovereign over ALL things! He is in complete control over all- He not only created all things but He holds all things together. He is not surprised by what is happening, but is always working for His purposes, even when we don’t understand the “why” behind them.
   
   Isaiah 45:7: “I form light and create darkness; I make well-being and create calamity; I am the LORD, who does all these things.”
   
   Colossians 1:16-17: “For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.”
   
   Daniel 4:35: “…(God) does according to his will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand or say to him, ‘What have you done?’”
   
2. God is good and loving in all He does. God is good to us always whether it’s through the hope He gives us in Christ, the wisdom of doctors and medicines, or through the everyday graces He lavishes upon us. His character is good, loving, and kind and this will never change because He never changes.
   
   Psalm 118:1: “Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!”
   
   Psalm 145:9: “The Lord is good to all, and his mercy is over all that he has made.”
   
3. God is merciful, compassionate, and deeply cares. God cares and is compassionate about all that is going on and towards all who are impacted. Look at the compassion Jesus had for people throughout His life on earth. He was constantly compassionate for those who are hurting and cared deeply for them.
   
   Matthew 9:36: “When he (Jesus) saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.”
   
   Lamentations 3:22-23: “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercies never come to an end, they are new every morning, great is your faithfulness.”
   
   Exodus 34:6: “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.”
   
4. God is trustworthy in all things, therefore we don’t have to be anxious or worried, but can trust Him. We don’t need to worry about tomorrow, what might happen to us, or how to handle it because God will give us everything we need- all the mercy and grace we need for tomorrow will be given to us when we need it. This doesn’t mean hardship won’t come, but it means we can trust Him in the midst of it, and trust He will give us what we need for each day.
   
   Matthew 6:25-26, 34: “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather in to barns, and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?…Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” (read verses 25-34 for the whole context and encouragement!)
   
   Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight.”
   
   Psalm 145:13: “The Lord is trustworthy in all his promises and faithful in all he does.”
   
5. God is with us always and nothing can separate us from His love. God is with us and near to us as we call upon Him. As believers in Christ, there is nothing that can separate us from Him. Therefore, we don’t need to fear or worry, because He is with us no matter what happens to us or around us.
   
   Isaiah 41:10: “do not fear, for I am with you, do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
   
   Joshua 1:9: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
   
   Romans 8:38-39: “For I am sure that neither death nor life, not angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
   
6. God uses pain and suffering to work for our good. While hard and painful things are not fun to go through, God promises to use them for the good of His people. As we go through hard times, God transforms us to be more like Christ, draws us to depend on Him deeply, and makes His name known among all nations. He uses all situations for our good, even when we can’t see how.
   
   Romans 5:3-5: “More than that, we rejoice in our suffering, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.“
   
   Romans 8:28-29: “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.“
   
7. God does all things for His glory. While we don’t understand how certain circumstances can glorify God, we can trust that He is greater and more glorious than we could possibly understand so we lean on Him, trusting that He is working all things for His glory.
   
   Genesis 50:20: “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.”
   
   Romans 11:33-36: “Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! “For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor? Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?” For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.“
   
8. God will one day wipe away every tear from every eye and there will be no more pain. While we can’t be sure that we will be free from sickness, suffering, and hardship in this life, (in fact, as believers, we are told to expect suffering and hardship) we can look forward to the day when Jesus returns and there will be no more sin, pain, or suffering. God promises to restore His creation, to make all things new, and that we will experience joy with Him and in Him forever!
   
   Revelation 21:3-5: “And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.”

I pray that these truths about God’s character will permeate your hearts and help you lean on His unchanging character and promises amidst this ever-changing pandemic. I also pray they will be truths to pass along to your kids and those around you as an opportunity to discuss who God is and His character in the middle of all that’s happening. I’m so thankful that we can trust in His nearness, faithfulness, and trustworthiness, and that He is always faithful to His promises! May He be glorified in all things!