There’s a scene in The Fellowship of the Ring where Strider asked Frodo, “Are you frightened?” Frodo answers, “Yes,” and Strider says, “Not nearly frightened enough. I know what hunts you.” 

That seems to be the word to Americans from countries on lockdown, “You have no idea what’s coming.” Of course, we’re not talking about Ring Wraiths here. It’s the coronavirus. I spoke with a group of teenagers last week at a park. I asked them “Are you afraid—for yourselves?” They all laughed and shrugged off the question, saying “Not in the least bit. Our bodies will kick this.” But then I asked, “Are you afraid for your parents and grandparents?” And their tone changed.

The truth is, we’re still learning about this strange disease. “We don’t know what hunts us.” Initially, young people were assured of their safety. But now reports from afar tell a different story. Iran is digging mass graves. Peru is closing their borders. Countries are on lockdown. As one writer said, words like “panic” and “chaos” dominate the news. One little germ is bringing an entire civilization to its knees. We’re so fragile.      

How should we respond? Most people are eagerly waiting for more news, better news, updated news. What’s the latest? What’s happening in China, Italy, and Spain? What should we expect? We depend on news. It shapes our response and either settles our heart or wrecks us.  

What would represent good news for us right now? I might tell you that Christians around the world are praying. I could encourage you with the fact that our state and local authorities are doing all they can to monitor the spread, enact protective measures, cooperate with other leaders, and learn from other countries. I could tell you that vaccines are being tested as I write this or that our government has a plan for a worst-case scenario. I might even tell you that congress passed a bill to send you a hefty check to mitigate financial woes. That’s good news. It might help—a little.

But I’m not banking my hopes there. That news may change. We need better news than that. And we have it! In fact, I have three pieces of news to offer you. Plant them deep in your heart and cling to them when you sense fear rises to the surface. Ready…? 

News Piece # 1. God controls this virus: He is sovereign

In the Bible, God controls plagues, pestilences, animals, storms—and viruses. He is not at their mercy. I have lived in Florida for nearly half my life. And the ocean still fascinates me, especially storms. I cannot imagine anything more out-of-control than a hurricane. We see them each year, dancing across the ocean. Wild, dangerous, and unpredictable. Those spaghetti models always entertain me. 

But every year, my heart is drawn to the Old Testament where God questions Job. In chapter 38 he asks:

Who shut in the sea with doors when it burst out from the womb, when I made clouds its garment and thick darkness its swaddling band, and prescribed limits for it and set bars and doors, and said, ‘Thus far shall you come, and no farther, and here shall your proud waves be stayed?’   

Some key words stand out to me: shut in, doors, limits, bars, thus far, no farther, stayed. 

Job’s life was absolutely out of control but God had a message for him. It was only out of Job’s control—not God’s. Every drop of water in the ocean…in fact, every molecule of every drop of water in the ocean bows to the power and authority of almighty God. We see that same power demonstrated when Jesus stopped a hurricane dead in its tracks with a word. “Peace!” That’s power. All wild, unpredictable forces, no matter how big or small, bow the knee to King Jesus. Storms and viruses await his command.    

Time would fail us to explore the plagues and pestilences from the Old Testament, all of them controlled by God. The pestilence that wiped out all the Egyptian cattle missed the Hebrew livestock. Why? God’s orders. He’s in charge. When a chastening pestilence followed David’s act of arrogantly counting all his soldiers, eventually God said “It is enough! Now stay your hand!” And it complied (1 Chron. 21:15).    

Don’t miss the comfort in this. God is Lord of the storm, the pestilence, and the virus. So as professionals offer their best guess and advice on where this virus is headed and what we should do in response, remember this: only one controls the virus—along with every breath and heart-beat of those in its path. Its course is being directed by the loving, sovereign hand of God. That’s good news.  

News Piece # 2. God knows what is best for His people: He is wise

In Romans 11:33-34, the Bible says this about God’s wisdom: “Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?”

We are praying, begging God to restrain and contain this virus. We’re asking Him to weaken its power, strengthen our bodies, and have mercy on us all. Sometimes, God says “yes” to our requests. Other times He calls on us to trust His wisdom. Pandemics make great classrooms. They train our hearts and test our faith.

If people are honest, they’d probably tell you this virus has them re-thinking their life at a deeper level. Why am I here? Where did I come from? Where am I going? What really matters in life? And that’s good news. When we’re staring mortality in the face no matter where we turn, it’s hard to ignore the priorities we’ve set in life.    

When followers of Jesus face emergencies like this, they can make their master look good—or weak. We’ve been given an opportunity to show our neighbors what we have built our lives upon. Our health can be taken away, our money, our loved ones, even our safety. But not Christ, and so not hope. That’s good news.    

News Piece # 3. God already faced the worst virus—in our place: He is good

The Corona disease is a killer virus. Do you know what viruses are and how they survive? It’s creepy to consider. Viruses are sinister little organisms. They depend on the cells of a living host to grow and reproduce. In humans, smallpox, influenza, polio and even AIDS are examples of viral diseases. They basically take over their host and wreak havoc—eventually causing death.  

To date, nearly one million cases of the coronavirus have been confirmed, causing over thirty eight thousand deaths. The virus spans every continent, except Antartica, and has spread to all 50 states in America. A third of the world’s population is on lockdown and nearly 90% the world’s student population is out of school.   

But there is another sinister, deadly disease much more serious than corona. The infection rate is much higher, the spread much further, and the impact more universal. Check it out: 

Sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned… (Romans 5:12).  

Sin has been killing people since Genesis 3. As one man said, “Nobody is getting off this planet alive.” Because of Adam’s rebellion, and our own personal sin, we all stand condemned. We’re infected, and unless someone does something, a death sentence awaits us all—God’s wrath toward our sin. But someone did do something. Jesus came. 

By living a perfect, sinless life, and by suffering and dying in our place, then rising from the grave, Jesus conquered death for us. He destroyed the works of the devil and defeated sin—forever.

When we trust in Him, our sins are forgiven and we’ll never face the ultimate death sentence. Jesus faced it alone, in our place. He walked into the jaws of death and let it swallow Him whole. But He emerged on the other side, and we share in His victory. That’s the best news in the world. For believers, physical death will be ‘gain.’  

Paul reminded the Thessalonians that Jesus “delivers us from the wrath to come” (1 Thess. 1:10). That’s it. He faced the ultimate deadly plague, so that we can face the little ones, like this virus. So Covid-19 can do its worst. Ultimately, we’ll be ok. And Jesus said we’ll never have to face anything alone. That news can settle our heart.

Remember Strider’s warning to Frodo? “You’re not nearly frightened enough! I know what hunts you!” Let’s lay Psalm 23 over that scene and edit. Verse 6 says “Surely goodness and faithfulness shall pursue me all the days of my life.” So…you’re not nearly comforted enough! I know what hunts you!—God’s faithfulness. So take courage, Christian! You are more than a conqueror through Christ.   

And just one more piece of news before you go. No matter what kind of damage corona does, rest in this reality: One day, Jesus is going to make all things new. He will restore His creation and remove every threat to peace and safety. No more sin. No more sickness. No more storms. All because of Him. “Behold, I am making all things new” (Revelation 21:5). Bank on it!