He who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” (Revelation 21:5 NASB)
Today I want to encourage you with a simple COVID acronym to strengthen you during this season of separation and social distancing. For too long the word “COVID” has injected doubt, fear, and perhaps even anger into our hearts; from now on, when you hear the word, I hope you’ll be inspired to worship the One who is Lord of all—even the Lord of COVID-19. If this message encourages you, please feel free to pass it on.
C = Christ
These are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. (John 20:31)
“This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations.” (Luke 24:46-47)
O = Our
Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died — more than that, who was raised to life — is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. (Romans 8:34)
Since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God . . . Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. (Hebrews 4:14, 16)
V = Victory
Thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:57)
“Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed.” (Revelation 5:5)
I = In
“I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.” (John 12:46)
Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38-39)
D = Doubt, Discouragement, Disappointment, Darkness, Disease, and Death
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. (John 1:5 ESV)
“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
No matter what happens while this terrible virus runs its course, whenever you hear the word COVID, remember that Christ is Our Victory in Doubt, Discouragement, Disappointment, Darkness, Disease, and even Death. Jesus always has the last word. He is the living Word of God! Jesus is sitting on His throne, sovereignly in control of all things, and He is working all things together for His glory and for the good of those who are His.
And Jesus is coming back to finish what He started! One day He will return to earth to make all things new, and the new heavens and new earth He has promised to create for us will be so perfect and so glorious that we will not even pause to shed a tear over the dark times which seem to be brooding over the entire world at this time. They will not even be a distant memory as we behold the perfect splendor of Christ, who is and always will be the Light of the world, world without end. Amen.
Until that day comes, keep looking to the One who holds you in the palm of His nail-scarred hand and has promised never to let you go.
You are in my prayers and in my heart.
Purpose and Passion,
Pastor Tommy
Grace for the Race 