Christians in a Time of Coronavirus

It’s easy to get sucked into the daily onslaught of news. When we’re absorbing every breaking news item, it can drive us to feel either very fearful, or very cynical. We must be able to put the endless news away and do the good work of Philippians 4:8, to train our minds to think on “whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable… anything (that) is excellent or praiseworthy.” In this episode, Dan focuses our hearts and minds on the beautiful news of Philippians 4 and the hope we have, and must cling to, when the daily news would leave us feeling hopeless. You can find more from Dan on his website DanielDarling.com. Image Credit: ©Getty/marimo

The question of how Christians ought to respond to governing authorities has been on the minds of many of us as we’ve gone from mandated shut-downs to the latest information on when and how we can open back up. Romans, particularly Romans 13, can tell us much about how to respond to governing authorities. When he wrote Romans, Paul is feeling the increasing pressure of the Roman Empire. And yet, to his brothers and sisters in Christ, Paul reminds them not to dispair. In this episode, Dan walks us through Romans 13, a particularly encouraging, convicting and ultimately hope-filled word for our time. You can find more from Dan on his website DanielDarling.com.

As the country begins opening up, one the hardest part of dealing with the Coronavirus might be ahead of us. We are all going to have different opinions on what is right and wrong. When so much feels at stake, emotions and anxieties are going to be heightened. With that in mind, Dan brings us to the famous love passage of 1 Corinthians 13, as a way to remind us of what our attitude and actions toward our family, friends and neighbors ought to be. You can find more from Dan on his website DanielDarling.com.

Is COVID-19 God’s judgment on us as a nation? Is it his judgment on the world? On believers? Is it the result of sin? Why and how is God’s judgment revealed? In this episode, Dan tackles these frequently asked questions using Romans 8 as a guide. Daniel Darling is the Vice President for Communications for the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention (ERLC). You can find more from Dan on his website DanielDarling.com.

1 Corinthians 15 is an essential passage of Scripture, one where Paul presents an apologetic for the Christian faith. The whole thesis might be summed up as, if Jesus rose from the dead, then everything changes – all of the Christian faith hinges on the resurrection. Paul says that if the resurrection is true, this not only has great implications for our souls, but also for our bodies. The cycle of sin and death will be broken and reversed. This is a great comfort and hope to us during a global pandemic, where we are seeing our mortality in new ways. Daniel Darling is the Vice President for Communications for the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention (ERLC). You can find more from Dan on his website DanielDarling.com.

The Psalms are often the place we go in times of suffering and heartache. As someone once said, ‘The rest of the Bible is God talking to us, but the psalms are us speaking to God.’ If you’ve ever struggled feeling like you could go to God with how you really feel – the psalms show us unequivocally, yes you can! Psalm 91 tells us about God’s protection over the whole world. His children have an even deeper, particular protection. Through Christ, we have a spiritual protection. We can go to God and rest under his grace. When everything around us, all the worldly powers and institutions seem weak and broken, God stands strong. This virus is powerful, destructive and deadly, but it is not the most powerful thing in the universe. In this episode, Dan focuses our minds and hearts on the truth of God’s supreme power and goodness over us. Daniel Darling is the Vice President for Communications for the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention (ERLC). You can find more from Dan on his website DanielDarling.com.

The predominant theme, the cry of Habakkuk is, ‘How long, Oh Lord?’ This is, of course, the theme of many of our current prayers toward God as well. It is easy to praise God when things are easy, but takes real faith to praise God when things are hard. In this episode, using Habakkuk as a guide, Dan challenges us to consider how to praise God in this time of uncertainty, loss and anxiety. Daniel Darling is the Vice President for Communications for the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention (ERLC). You can find more from Dan on his website DanielDarling.com.

1 Peter is a precious book for Christians who are trying to live out their faith in uncertain times. No matter what we are experiencing today, God is with us. If we believe Jesus has risen from the dead, then our hope is alive! *Note – we recorded this before Easter and reference “upcoming Easter Sunday.” We’re leaving that section in the podcast since it’s still a hopeful reminder of all we have in Christ.* Daniel Darling is the Vice President for Communications for the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention (ERLC). You can find more from Dan at his website DanielDarling.com.

Most of us have now spent weeks, if not months, under stay-at-home orders. Perhaps you’re in one of those places in the world where hundreds of people are losing their lives every day. These are grim times, perhaps the most terrible you have personally ever faced, but they are not without hope. We have an opportunity unlike any other time to learn what it means to wait expectantly on the Lord, to take the time we suddenly have and spend it with Him. In these uncertain times, it’s more important than ever to learn what it means to trust in our God, who is always steadfast and good. In this episode, Dan walks us through Psalm 37 and what it means to delight in the Lord and his Word, and to wait for him to act while we trust in him. Daniel Darling is the Vice President for Communications for the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention (ERLC). You can find more from Dan at his website DanielDarling.com.

Looking at Paul’s letter to the Philippians (which Paul wrote while imprisoned), we see a blueprint for finding joy even in the midst of our circumstances and trials. When our identity is firmly planted in our adoption as children of God, and not in the things of this world, we can have a peace that transcends what is happening in the world around us. Daniel Darling is the Vice President for Communications for the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention (ERLC). You can find more from Dan at his website DanielDarling.com.

“Are we doing the right thing as a country? How long are we going to be shut down? How bad will it get?” You’ve undoubtedly wrestled with questions like these in the past days and weeks. What can we do when our fears start to shout and our faith feels small? In this episode, Dan reflects on Isaiah 40 and the promises of who God is and what He does in times of uncertainty, testing and difficulty. Sometimes, we need to look up from the problems we are facing and see the God who is in control of all, who loves us perfectly and completely. When we do this, our fears lessen, and we can begin to feel his peace and supernatural strength. Daniel Darling is the Vice President for Communications for the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention (ERLC). You can find more from Dan at his website DanielDarling.com.

In this historical moment we are in, do you believe God is your refuge? In Psalm 46, we read what it means for us that God is our refuge and strength. Not only can we take shelter in God while this pandemic rages on, but he also gives us his strength and strengthens us for as long as the pandemic may last. Daniel Darling is the Vice President for Communications for the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention (ERLC). You can find more from Dan at his website DanielDarling.com.

There is so much uncertainty in the world right now. You personally might be experiencing job loss or dealing with the coronavirus in another personal way. Regardless, all of us are being tested right now. Psalm 60 shines a light on how children of God, in the past, have responded to hardship and times of testing, and gives us a blueprint for how we can respond now. Daniel Darling is the Vice President for Communications for the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention (ERLC). You can find more from Dan at his website DanielDarling.com.

Scripture for today's devotional: Genesis 1:26; Exodus 20:12 Daniel Darling is the Vice President for Communications for the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention (ERLC). You can find more from Dan at his website DanielDarling.com.