Faith for Coronavirus Crisis Habakkuk 1:1-2:4

“‘Behold, as for the proud one, His soul is not right within him; But the righteous will live by his faith’” (Habakkuk 2:4, NASB).

It is 1776 and thirteen American colonies belonging to England are in a crisis. They are strongly considering their independence from the British crown. The Revolutionary war is on the horizon. Thomas Paine, philosopher and author writes a pamphlet “Common Sense” advocating for independence from England. He writes to encourage the colonies to stay the course in their quest for independence. From his writings we have a famous quote. “These are the times that try men’s souls.” Paine means that there are times when we are tested. How do we respond in a crisis? Further, Paine describes those that have spoken for independence, but they are now faced with a test that determines their sincerity and their determination to settle the dispute. Paine says that the crisis reveals two groups. There is the Sunshine Patriot that shrinks from the service to their country during the crisis. Also, there is the Summer Soldier who offers himself when easy to do so and service requires no great sacrifice. As a young man we would have said to these men, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but talk don’t bother me.” “Talk is cheap.” “Put up or shut up.”

America is in a crisis. Many describe it as a war, and certainly war is a crisis. We are in the midst of a Pandemic; the Coronavirus Crisis known as COVID-19. This crisis causes fear and uncertainty. The world is not prepared for this crisis. The nations have been seeking resolutions for their differences and hostilities through war, arms negotiations, and economic sanctions. The world now finds that every nation is faced with a common enemy that none are prepared to fight. In this article I want to use the writing of the prophet Habakkuk to discuss this crisis from a Christian perspective.

Before we begin our discussion let me state this observation. For ten years I write and/or edited Sunday school curriculum. During these years I often find that the Sunday school lesson speaks to events that are taking place in the world. The same is true now. On March 8, 2020 the Sunday school lesson is taken from Habakkuk 1:1-4, 12-14. The title of the lesson is “A Prayer for Justice.” The teacher in the class that I attend is emphasizing the leadership of the president of the United States. The teacher is concerned that he is doing a lot of things that causes a lot of injustice in our country. On this Sunday I speak up. Why? It is because the book of Habakkuk is not about a president that makes no claim to be a committed Christian. The book of Habakkuk is about a prophet sent from God with a message of warning and hope for God’s own people, namely the southern Kingdom of Judah. So, what is the message that the Lord is sending to His people (Christians); especially in America as we are faced with this crisis? We begin by giving a brief overview of Habakkuk 1.

When the book opens, it seems that Habakkuk is a priest pleading to God on behalf of righteous people that are taken advantage of by unrighteous people. We will notice that Habakkuk does not mention the king. The injustices in the land are not to be blamed on the king alone. Rather, it is how the people are treating one another. Habakkuk describes the ways in which the righteous people in Judah suffer from the evil that is perpetrated by the unrighteous. Habakkuk has questions that he asks God. What will God do? How long will God allow evil to have its way? Judah has a systemic problem. The evil ones are taking advantage of the righteous, and God acts as if He is not concerned and disturbed by the events that are taking place.

As we look at verses 2-4 we discover that the people are the ones that are violent. The people are wicked. There is strife and contention among the people. The law is perverted. Now, all we need to do is open our eyes and we can see a similar situation in America today and the Christians are also guilty of the charges made. Violence is committed by and among Christian folks. There are any numbers of groups that are in contention with other groups. I’m talking about religious folks. People groups are declaring themselves to be the righteous ones and others are branded as heretics. You can look in almost any church congregation in America today and see violence, contention, strife and injustices among its members. The president is not the cause of these problems. They exist independently of anything that the president says or anything that he does. These injustices have been going on long before the president took office. Habakkuk the priest asks God some questions, and God responds. Habakkuk comes to God as a priest. God sends him back to the people as a prophet with a word from the Lord.

The words of the Lord says, “‘Look among the nations! Observe! Be astonished! Wonder! Because I am doing something in your days—You would not believe if you were told” (1:5, NASB). So what are the people of America thinking about most at this time? Americans are talking about who the next president of the United States will be. The Democratic Party is trying to decide who will be the best candidate that can defeat president Trump. Who has the temperament of bringing America together? Who has a plane that will serve the needs of all the people? Will God raise up a democrat or will God allow president Trump to remain in office? Many American Christians believe that God has already determined who will be the next president. The winner will indicate what the will of the Lord is for our country.

While the country is focused on this primary election season, God is doing something unexpected. God is doing something that is unbelievable (v. 5). God is doing something that will affect not only the United States. God is doing something that will affect many nations. The Coronavirus is believed to have first begun in China. China is a country that has strong economic ties to America even though there is little shared in common as pertaining to religion and worship. The Christian church in China operates largely underground, and Christians are openly persecuted. In Habakkuk the Chaldeans (Babylonians) in like manner are on the rise militarily. They will defeat the Assyrians and the Egyptians becoming the dominate power in the world.

The Coronavirus is not a military power. Yet, scientists and experts in medicine are saying that we are at war. Governors are calling on the president to utilize the military to support civilian efforts in treating this virus. We have been preparing our military weapons, but we are not prepared for the war against an unseen virus. How can we prepare ourselves for the activity of God? We are debating healthcare and healthcare systems, but we are learning that we are totally unprepared for health concerns made manifest by the coronavirus. The people of Judah are unprepared for the onslaught of the Chaldeans that destroy their country. The Christians in America and throughout the world are unprepared for the coronavirus that is a serious threat to all people. What can we learn from Habakkuk?

First, we can know that God is aware of what is taking place in America. God has plans to address the situation. God is not impressed and God is not pleased with our religious activities that we call worship. God is not moved by our financial giving. God sends in the ungodly to remove them from His presence. God wants the people to go into exile while the land is cleansed and the people see the need to return to the Lord with a sincere heart.

The Coronavirus shows us that there are many systemic problems in America that we fail to address in ways that are pleasing to the Lord. We must rethink our strategies, repent of our failed programs, and make changes. For example, why is it that the schools have the responsibility to feed children? Why do we advocate for programs that assist those that have while ignoring the poor, left outs, and those without access. The churches and schools are now online. What about the students and church folks that do not have access to a computer? How can we live in a time like this? In a time when the country needs to be more concerned about mental health we will have additional mental and emotional problems caused by isolation and economic stress. I believe that we will be faced with problems yet to be made manifest.

God answers the prophet’s question. It is the answer that tells us how to please God. There are two passages of scripture that will help us. In the Old Testament the Lord says to Habakkuk. “But the righteous must live by his faith” (2:4, NASB). The necessity of faith is found in the New Testament book of Hebrews. “And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him” (Heb. 11:6, NASB). It is not enough that we verbalize that we believe in God. “You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe and shudder. But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless” (Jas. 2:19, NASB). It’s not what Christians say; rather it is what Christians do according to the commands of God as it pertains to how we love God and love other people.

As a nation, and especially the church, we must reevaluate our relationship to God. Our faith is being tested. The church need not think that it can meet on Sabbath Day and worship God while remaining insensitive to the needs of God’s children, both Christians and non Christians. Yes, this coronavirus crisis is a call for the righteous to live by faith.