You may have seen one of those recent commercials which put forward the message in regard to this corona virus pandemic that “science” will be what will get us through it - or words to that effect. What do you think about that? I’m sure the ads are pointing to such things as testing, data collection, treatment and a vaccine. Truly, I am thankful for all that medical science can do, but is medical science the only answer to this virus? In fact, is it the best answer?
Asa is considered one of the “good” kings of Judah, but in his later days he made a treaty with the king of Aram without consulting the Lord God. When Hanani the seer was sent by God to confront him about this, Asa became angry and imprisoned the prophet. This incident seems to have affected Asa for the rest of his days. We are told: “In the thirty-ninth year of his reign Asa became diseased in his feet. His disease was severe, yet even in his disease he did not seek the Lord, but the physicians.” (2 Chronicles 16:12)
So, what do we do with this? Two things come to mind. First: Let us ever be mindful that it is God who enables the medical community. By His providence in creation, through His blessing of human endeavors and His own will, God brings about the medical advances from which we all benefit. If He didn’t enable them, they would not exist. Second: There is this matter of trust. With all the medications, procedures, surgeries, etc. now available, we tend to forget about God and just run to the doctor. Whom do we trust? I certainly trust my doctor, but she is not infallible, nor all-knowing, nor even able to do much in certain cases. But we do know who is infallible, all-wise and all-powerful. The Lord God.
When James was rebuking Christians for living their lives without God, he wrote: “...you ought to say, ‘If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that.’” Of significance, the first thing James notes about God’s will is that “we will live.” This has never changed. Ultimately, we are in God’s hands. Trust Him.