Many people feel uneasy and fearful when facing the reality of a world that is increasingly evil and corrupt. On the other hand, some are unafraid, but then become careless or reckless in their behaviour. Yet, when one witnesses the suffering of others, it is genuinely not comforting. For example, in the face of a disease outbreak, humanity has proven to be vulnerable — the disease is invisible, and it is so easy for a person to be exposed. Surely, many people fear it, including Christians. But through disease outbreaks and natural disasters, our eyes are opened, giving us the awareness of just how fragile human life is.
The question we want to address here is: How should we respond to the condition of a world that is evil and corrupt? How can we have steadfastness of heart and courage in facing all of life’s difficulties?
The Lord Jesus says in Matthew 10:28, “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” Similarly, in Luke 12:4: “I tell you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more.”
Two important things here are: the Lord Jesus calls us “My friends” and says, “they can do nothing more.” Problems — sickness, natural disasters, and so on — may be able to kill the body, but they can do nothing beyond that. If we look at the context in Matthew and Luke, we can see that this also relates to the issue of worry.
Then, in Matthew 10:29-30, the Lord says: “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.” A penny was the smallest coin. Two sparrows for a penny — very cheap indeed. This statement also means that each hair is marked individually. Have we ever thought that we cannot even create a single strand of hair? It is God who made them.
Matthew 10:31-33 continues: “So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. Whoever acknowledges Me before others, I will also acknowledge before My Father in heaven. But whoever disowns Me before others, I will disown before My Father in heaven.”
If we see the context, this is speaking about persecution — how believers at that time had to be willing to risk their lives for their faith, where death was not feared for the sake of Christ. From this, we can draw one lesson: we are of great value in God’s eyes. Sparrows may be worth almost nothing — two for a penny — yet they are still valuable. And here it says, “Not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care.” How much more us! Each strand of hair is numbered, which shows God’s great care and love for us. Therefore, we must not doubt His love and providence.
Quoting Psalm 91:5-8, the psalmist writes: “You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked.”
The Lord gives us perfect care. But remember, for the people of the New Covenant, the focus is on eternal blessings. So it is not a matter of whether we get sick or not, whether we are rich or poor, whether we have children or not. Our outward, physical condition cannot be the measure of God’s favour or blessing. We must live responsibly and do our part as best as we can, and for the things beyond our ability, God will uphold us.