Put your trust in God alone and thank Him for science because it is a great gift from God to protect and bless us.  Faith and science do not need to be enemies.  Unfortunately, both religion and science tend to create a false dichotomy between the two as if believing in one rejects the other.  In response to the COVID-19 crisis, the giant pharmaceutical company Pfizer pushed the false dichotomy to its unnatural conclusion.  In a recent television advertisement, Pfizer scripted their offer of hope by saying:  “at a time when things are most uncertain, we turn to the most certain thing there is: SCIENCE.”

We all know the truth about science.  The certainty of science is far less certain than Pfizer would have you believe.  I’d be the first to admit that science has often been very good for us.  But the ONE thing it doesn’t provide is CERTAINTY.  If that were the case, we wouldn’t be in this COVID-19 crisis at all.  I’m thankful for good science and have every plan to utilize its achievements whenever I can.  But I won’t be leaning on science for the certainty my mind and heart need.

I’m counting on the God who is “enthroned forever” (Psalm 102:12) who generously gives to us “every good and perfect gift.”  (James 1:17)

I wanna give you a short list of the things to which I cling when I’m tempted to believe that “nothing is for sure except death and taxes”.   In trusting the faithful and loving God who gives them to us, you will find yourself experiencing a deep sense of peace and certainty. 

When you place your hope in the unchanging God, you become what I like to call a “timeless Christian” because the New Testament says that “the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.” (1 John 2:17)   

ONLY GOD is for sure!   And He promises certain hope through His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

We are not in control, and have never been.  We are not promised a trouble-free life.  The opposite is true.  Bodies break down.  Accidents happen.   Believers get sick and die like the rest of the world.   Budgets are destroyed overnight. Comforts that we take for granted are taken from us overnight.  Tragedies compound like they did yesterday in the province of Nova Scotia.  Hearts ache for the loss all around us.   We even end up secretly disappointed in our own weakness to ride out this present COVID-19 “storm” with an “unshakable” faith.

Psalm 116:7   “Return to your rest, O my soul, for the LORD has dealt bountifully with you.”     

It dawns on you that “rest” is often found in a crisis not without it.

That seems to be what Jeremiah, the ancient prophet told Israel.

Jeremiah 6:16 (ESV) Thus says the LORD: “Stand by the roads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’

Returning to God and His way is the Bible’s prescription for rest. 

And rest is what Jesus offered to a weary world when he walked the dusty roads of ancient Israel.  Recall His words written down by St. Matthew:

Matthew 11:28-30 (ESV)   “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

The gentle and humble Jesus is the source of rest for our souls.  Return to Him, answer His call, listen to His Word and you will find yourself telling others that “the LORD has dealt bountifully with you.” 

He invites you to come to Him and He will generously give you the rest that your soul needs.