But if not faith

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Some Christians do my head in! 

We have, sadly, within the Christian community, those who 'name it and claim it, blab it and grab it."

They brandish their faith declarations that 'no plague shall come nigh my dwelling' as if them declaring it makes it so. 

It's as if they believe they are somehow specially divinely shielded from the corona virus.

Sadly, the grandmother of a facebook friend recently died of this horrible virus. So very sad. 

Sadly, one of our long time friends has also today contacted the contagion. We are intently praying to the Lord that she will recover to full health.

Yes, I know the 'armour of God' is both for defensive and offensive purposes. But really, the imbalance of faith-immunity-claims are just not helpful.

Here's what I have learned from the book of Daniel.  It demonstrates the attitude of three Hebrew men, named as Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego.

I hope we can mimic their example as they faced being thrown into the fiery furnace. 

Let's read a few verses from Daniel 3

"Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.
(Daniel 3:16-18).

Guys we are all at risk - it does not discriminate!
No one is truly immune.
This virus is no respecter of position, privilege or power. Our prime minister is currently self isolating!

May we pray that the death angel passes us by.

More importantly, may we all ensure we are ready for eternity should covid-19 take us.

Maybe, as Christians, we could take a leaf out of the book of Daniel?

Could it be that we could instead say with a calm assurance "we know our God is able to deliver us...but if not ....we will still trust him, no matter what"!

Lets pray for the front line NHS workers, the vulnerable, the sick and the dying. 

May we be a community of love in action, demonstrating a deep and heartfelt compassion and not a deluded arrogance.

Like the old Ron Kenoly song says:


'In the good times praise His name
In the bad times do the same
In everything give the King of Kings all the thanks'


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