We are living in unprecedented times; one would have to go back over 100 years (1917-1919) when the Spanish Flu hit around the world to find such a time. There were 675,000 deaths in America alone. Worldwide estimates were that 50 to 100 million people died because of it. I do not think the deaths from COVID-19 has reached that number yet. And it may not, due to the social distancing having been implemented and the improvements in the medical field. For the time being, however, we have instructions from the government to stay home, except for essential travel. What some consider essential varies from individual to individual. My wife says all her travel is essential. There are some lessons that come to mind because of the present situation.
We are reminded of what a privilege it has been to meet together in worship without fear. Though the house of God is not a material building, it is nice to have a place in which we can come together. “I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord.” (Psalm 122:1.) I know that the faithful who have had to go to nursing homes or cannot get out, miss being able to assemble with the saints. I do not think it is a matter of “forsaking the assembly” to have worship in one’s home under the present conditions anymore than if a snowstorm, tornado or hurricane is bearing down upon us. Good brethren disagree with me. That’s ok. I pray this virus will soon be defeated.
Some have suggested that if we encourage people to worship in their homes during this time that they will get used to the practice and will not get back into the regular Lord’s day assemblies. Possibly so. Although, I am of the opinion that the faithful will be back. Those faithful before all of this happened will be faithful afterward. This may separate the wheat from the chaff.
This is also a time in which parents are given more opportunities to instill the Bible in the hearts of their children, sing spiritual songs, have prayers with their children. Some parents I fear leave the teaching of their children’s religion to the Sunday School and Wednesday night teachers. This is a mistake. Paul wrote to the church, mind you, the church, and said, “And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” (Eph. 6:4.) It is the parents’ responsibility to teach their children both in word and deed the word of God. Timothy’s mother and grandmother instilled faith in the heart of Timothy, even starting when he was a baby (2 Tim. 1:5; 3:14-15).
One of the arguments that the anti-Sunday school brethren made was that if we had classes for the children (and others) at church that some would not study in their home. Thus, Bible knowledge would decrease because families were not reading and studying the Bible, leaving it to the church. Nevertheless, the church may supplement what the home teaches. Because many homes are not getting the Bible as much, this is all the more reason to emphasize to our teachers to spend the limited time available in class to instilling the Bible in our children. Every worksheet, every craft, every activity used in our younger classes should be Bible-based and Bible-centered.
We always have had the opportunity to pray; yet in times of crisis, we see a greater need. Let each of us spend more time in our closets praying for those suffering of the virus, for those who have lost loved ones, for our healthcare workers, truckers, those who keep America running, the first responders, the grocery people who work at check outs, stock the food, and make deliveries. Let us pray for the household of faith everywhere and at home. When Peter was imprisoned by Herod “prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.” (Acts 12:5.) Some may feel in prison with the “stay at home” orders from the government; so, we should be praying for each other. Jesus before his passion and the crisis that awaited his disciples, said to Peter, “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.” (Luke 22:31-32.) It is my prayer for all my brethren that during this crisis our faith fail not, but that we can strengthen each other.
Along the line of praying for each other, we can take advantage of opportunities to encourage each other in the faith. It is easy for some to get discouraged during this time, and just give up. Proverbs says, “Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it.” (Prov. 3:27.) Another proverb reads, “If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small.” (Prov. 24:10). There are some members who seem to need encouragement more than others. The strong should help the weak. Paul wrote, “We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification. For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.” (Rom. 15:1-3.)
What can we do to encourage each other in the day of adversity? Many members are checking on others now. Just a word of encouragement lifts the spirit. As the writer of Proverbs said, “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.” (Prov. 25:11.) I do not think we need a program to get us to do what we know we should do. Since we must practice social distancing, other methods are still available. Call each other. Check to see how they are doing. If you can help, do so. If you are unable to help someone, get in touch with someone who can. Those of you who text, send a text message. Send cards. Get out the church directory and see who might need encouragement. If you do not have someone’s address, get in touch with Jennie. Peter wrote, “Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:” (1 Peter 1:22.)
There’s an old story that has been told many times. A shoe company sent a salesman to Africa who sent word back: “Do not send shoes; everyone here goes barefoot.” So, the shoe company sent another salesman to Africa. He sent word back saying, “Send all the shoes you can; people here go barefoot and need shoes.” The first salesman did not see the opportunities; the second one did. Let us look for opportunities to fill needs.
“The Lord watch between me and thee, when we are absent one from another.” (Gen. 31:49).
Ben F. Vick, Jr.