May 6: No Matter What, God is Glorified

By the time you read this devotional, we will be 50+ days into sheltering in place, keeping our distance from the coronavirus. Many of us may have had high anxieties the first several weeks of staying at home. But by now, some of us may have become numb—numb from the stress, numb to all the news about the virus, numb from the disappointment of all the things that should have happened if it weren’t for this pandemic—hibernating, waiting for all this to go away. At least, I am.

Being at home, I wonder where God is in all of this. The news and social media are so “noisy” with all sorts of coverage and posts about the coronavirus. As my soul restlessly searched for Him, through conversations with women of faith, Bible studies, and sermons, God answered in His usual way—as the sound of His "walking in the Garden of Eden in the cool of the day" or a “gentle blowing” on top of Mount Sinai (Genesis 3: 8, 1 King 19:12)—quietly but surely, to make sure I was ready to hear Him through the noisy static of the world.

Jesus, upon entering Jerusalem en route to the cross, explained to the crowds that “His hour” had come and it would involve death, His death. Though the suffering that would be involved was painful to think about, Jesus focused on His purpose which was, “Father, glorify Your Name.” And the Father did—immediately. A voice came out of heaven in response, “I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.” Some in the crowds heard thunder whereas others were saying an angel had spoken to Jesus. Jesus corrected them—the voice had come not for His sake but for theirs. And the ones who had ears to hear, heard God speak. (John 12:20-32)

I believe that what God said before the sufferings of Jesus is what He is saying to us, for our sake, today during our sufferings brought on by the coronavirus—that He has been glorified, He is being glorified, and that He will be glorified. Though this may not change the current circumstances, it changes me. As I face my anxiety and fears, I can have faith in God as I endure each day, one day at a time, remembering that God has, is, and will be glorified. This is what He asks of me—to have faith in Him, to have hope in His eternal glory that is yet so intimately and personally expressed in His love for us, and to love Him and those He places around me, no matter what. 

In light of Your eternal glory, may I have faith in You.

In light of Your steadfastness, may I have hope in You.

In light of Your resurrection love, may I love You and love those You have placed around me.

In light of You, may I live each day.

Shelter in Peace,

Soojin Hwang