What Does the Bible Teach About Plagues & Pandemics?
Plagues, famines and pestilences are regularly mentioned in the Scriptures. Along with widespread pandemics, such as we are facing today, there is a tendency to assume that all events of mass destruction–including hurricanes, earthquakes and tsunamis, etc.–are signs of the end of days. Keep in mind that these disasters have been around for thousands of years, and almost every generation sees these things and says the Lord must be returning soon. Yet, “concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only” (Matthew 24:36). We ought not draw conclusions where Scripture does not, but we are to be ready and expectant, as this keeps us focused on Jesus and sharpens our eternal perspective (Matthew 24:42-44).
Such considerations usually lead to the age old debate as to whether the Lord allows these disasters or sends them. No matter where you stand on this issue, what is clear is that He is sovereign and we are to rest in Him (Psalm 115:3, Colossians 1:15-20, Matthew 11:28). I recently posted a video about three storms that are found in the Bible. Each storm has a different purpose and theme, some of which are clear and others, not so much. Those who are in Christ Jesus need not fear. Rather, “keep up your courage, because not one of you will be lost; only the ship will be destroyed” (Acts 27:22).
For further reading and consideration, you can download an article below from Joel Rosenberg of The Joshua Fund. His article includes a survey of instances of plague and pestilence found in the Scriptures and how we might respond today.
-pastor mike
Preparing for Palm Sunday | April 5
SONGS WE’LL BE SINGING TOGETHER
Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee | [listen]
Henry van Dyke
Psalm 100:1-2
Nothing But the Blood
Robert Lowry
Hebrews 9:22
Psalm 119 [listen]
Brian St. Andre
Psalm 119:103-104
Goodness of God [listen + lyrics]
Jenn Johnson, Jason Ingram, Ben Fielding, Ed Cash, Brian Johnson
1 Chronicles 16:34
Great Things (Worth It All) | [listen]
Mack Brock, Chris Brown, Wade Joye
Psalm 126:3
SERMON TEXT
Hebrews 11:1-13
Celebrating Generosity: Guilford Update
To learn more about our partnership with Guilford Elementary and how you can get involved, email Leigh Ann Kiendl.
Preparing for Sunday | March 29
SONGS WE’LL BE SINGING TOGETHER
Before the Throne of God Above [listen]
Charitie Lees Bancroft, Vikki Cook
Romans 8:35
Unto Him [listen]
Evan Snyder, Melody von Kahle
Jude 24-25
Cornerstone | [listen]
Eric Liljero, Reuben Morgan, Edward Mote, Jonas Myrin
Ephesians 2:20
Christ Be All Around Me | [listen + lyrics]
Jack Mooring, Leeland Mooring, David Leonard, Leslie Jordan
Ephesians 4:4-6
SERMON TEXT
Habakkuk 3
Preparing for Sunday | March 22
SONGS WE’LL BE SINGING TOGETHER
Living Hope | [listen]
Phil Wickham, Brian Johnson
1 Peter 1:3
Be Thou My Vision | [listen]
Eleanor Henrietta Hull, Mary Elizabeth Byrne (Arrangement: Ascend The Hill)
2 Corinthians 3:17-18
O Come to the Altar | [listen + lyrics]
Wade Joye, Mack Brock, Steven Furtick, Christopher Brown
1 Peter 1:19
Doxology | [listen | lyrics]
Thomas Ken (1674), music attributed to Louis Bourgeois
Romans 11:36
It Is Well with My Soul [listen + lyrics]
Horatio Spafford, Philip Bliss
SERMON TEXT
1 Timothy 4
Preparing for Sunday | March 15
SONGS WE’LL BE SINGING TOGETHER
Yes I Will | [listen + lyrics]
Eddie Hoagland, Jonathan Smith, and Mia Fieldes
Psalm 63:3-4
Your Promises | [listen]
Chris Brown, Mack Brock, Steven Furtick, Wade Joye
2 Peter 1:3-4a
Yet Not I But Through Christ In Me | [listen + lyrics]
Jonny Robinson, Michael Farren, Rich Thompson
Galatians 2:20
Touch of Heaven [listen]
Michael Fatkin, Hannah Hobbs, Aodhán King
Psalm 9:1-2
Great Is Thy Faithfulness | [listen + lyrics]
William Marion Runyan
Lamentations 3:22-23
SERMON TEXT
Psalm 43
Preparing for Sunday | March 8
SONGS WE’LL BE SINGING TOGETHER
Who You Say I Am [listen]
Ben Fielding, Reuben Morgan
John 8:36
Overcome [listen]
Chris Brown, Mack Brock, Steven Furtick
Psalm 46:1-3
Touch of Heaven [listen]
Michael Fatkin, Hannah Hobbs, Aodhán King
Psalm 9:1-2
Goodness of God [listen + lyrics]
Jenn Johnson, Jason Ingram, Ben Fielding, Ed Cash, Brian Johnson
1 Chronicles 16:34
Unto Him [listen]
Evan Snyder, Melody von Kahle
Jude 24-25
SERMON TEXT
Matthew 6:25-34
Preparing for Sunday | March 1
SONGS WE’LL BE SINGING TOGETHER
His Mercy Is More | [listen]
Matt Boswell, Matt Papa
Romans 5:20
‘Tis So Sweet | [listen + devotional]
Louisa M. R. Stead, Melody Von Kahle, Brian St. Andre
Psalm 34:8
I Stand Amazed | [listen]
Charles H. Gabriel
2 Corinthians 8:9
Yes I Will | [listen + lyrics]
Eddie Hoagland, Jonathan Smith, and Mia Fieldes
Psalm 63:3-4
SERMON TEXT
Romans 8
Preparing for Sunday | February 23
SONGS WE’LL BE SINGING TOGETHER
Yes I Will | [listen + lyrics]
Eddie Hoagland, Jonathan Smith, and Mia Fieldes
Psalm 63:3-4
Yet Not I But Through Christ In Me | [listen + lyrics]
Jonny Robinson, Michael Farren, Rich Thompson
Galatians 2:20
Great Things (Worth It All) | [listen]
Mack Brock, Chris Brown, Wade Joye
Psalm 126:3
Your Promises | [listen]
Chris Brown, Mack Brock, Steven Furtick, Wade Joye
2 Peter 1:3-4a
SERMON TEXT
Genesis 2:15-25
Preparing for Sunday | February 16
SONGS WE’LL BE SINGING TOGETHER
Goodness of God [listen + lyrics]
Jenn Johnson, Jason Ingram, Ben Fielding, Ed Cash, Brian Johnson
1 Chronicles 16:34
Living Hope | [listen]
Phil Wickham, Brian Johnson
1 Peter 1:3
Death Was Arrested | [listen]
Adam Kersh, Brandon Coker, Heath Balltzglier, Paul Taylor Smith
Hebrews 2:9
Do It Again | [listen + lyrics]
Matt Redman, Mack Brock, Chris Brown, Steven Furtick
2 Corinthians 1:20
Be Thou My Vision | [listen]
Eleanor Henrietta Hull, Mary Elizabeth Byrne (Arrangement: Ascend The Hill)
2 Corinthians 3:17-18
SERMON TEXT
Romans 12