Judgment: a remarkable punishment; an extraordinary calamity for a specific period of time inflicted by God because of man’s sins.
Trial: to test something out; a test of faith and patience to suffering in order to strengthen one’s faith.
Using the above definitions, is the world under judgment (punishment for disobedience to God’s Law) or under trial (test of faith in order to strengthen faith) during the present covid-19 pandemic?
Israel, God’s chosen people who were called to declare God’s praises to the rest of the known world, was often under judgment for their disobedience to God’s commands. Individual Israelites were under trial. For example: Joseph was sold by his brothers to a band of traders on their way to Egypt. After a time, Joseph was falsely accused by the wife of the chief officer to Pharaoh. Joseph was imprisoned for two years! He had done nothing wrong. He was under trial. His faith was tested in order to strengthen his faith for what he would be called to do. Or how about Paul? He was jailed for two years. And he had done nothing wrong. But while under trial, Paul continued to preach Christ and Him crucified, died and rose again. And Paul wrote several letters of the New Testament while in prison.
So what is a reasonable time to be under judgment? A few months? A couple of years? The answer is: as long as it takes for a person or a nation to humble themselves, and pray and seek God’s face, and turn from their wicked ways.
What is a reasonable time to be under trial? Weeks? Months? Years? Answer: as long as it takes for God to accomplish His purpose for the trial.
It can be easy to give in to anxious thoughts, fear, worry or even despair during lengthy or particularly harsh trials. Worry is useless and shows a lack of faith in God’s plans for our lives. Fear can paralyze a person so as to become almost irrational. Anxiety can lead to panic and a whole myriad of unpleasant feelings.
So, how are we to wait while under trial? Patiently. How does one wait patiently when there may be chaos, confusion, uncertainty and a bleak outlook? We wait in God’s strength. We know He is sovereign, and He is at work doing mighty things that we cannot yet see. Because God is sovereign, we have hope. We know that God works all things for our good, to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.
When we rely on God to get us through our weaker times or seasons, He is faithful. He proves to be our strength, and we receive another receipt for our faith pouch.
Verses on finding strength in trials: Psalm 9:9-10, 34:10, 46:1-3; 1 Chronicles 16:11; Isaiah 26:3-4; Nehemiah 8:10; Proverbs 18:10.