You know what it’s like when you have made up your mind about something, you are comfortable with it, and then someone comes along with a different view. You might see the flaws in the argument and calmly return to your own position. You might see the matador’s cape fluttering, amazed that someone could be so stupid and decide that social distancing is the answer. But there may be other times when you feel genuinely conflicted and begin seriously to question what hitherto had been so clear.
Perhaps like me you have experienced all of the above. I’m not sure, however, how to respond to a couple magazine articles I read recently questioning government strategy in these Covid-19 days. The first was written by Toby Young who has set up a website called Lockdown Sceptics. He describes it as ‘a compendium of evidence that the lockdown is a needless acts of self-harm that will almost certainly cause a greater loss of life than it prevents.‘ He can spend up to nine hours a day collecting and summarising the latest data and inevitably presents a welter of statistics to support his views.
The second article is by Lionel Shriver who compares Covid-19 deaths with those related to influenza, typhoid, cholera and malaria and concludes: ‘Covid deaths will barely register in the big picture even if their total multiplies by several times.‘ So the response of government has been out of proportion and will eventually be seen to be ruinous to people’s lives and the economy. Chillingly she writes: ‘This is not a natural disaster but a manmade one.’
I think I should make it clear that despite the above I, as someone ‘under shielding’, will continue to abide by the guidelines laid down by the Scottish Government and endorsed by my medical advisors. But when you are presented with well researched and passionately argued material written by intelligent people that runs counter to what you have accepted as being beyond dispute then is it surprising that you experience even the slightest of wobbles?
I felt a bit like David in Psalm 11 when he says: ‘When the foundations are being destroyed what can the righteous do?’ (verse 3) It’s not exactly the same scenario. David appears to be under physical attack, arrows being launched at him from the bows of ‘the wicked’ to the extent that he has been advised to go into hiding. That is not an option for him but it has created some uncertainty in the depths of his being. One commentator puts forward the possibility of ‘prevailing anarchy’ leaving David unsure what to think or what steps to take.
It is David’s response in verses 4-7 which we all need to take to our hearts, especially in these Covid-19 days:
‘The LORD is in his holy temple; the LORD is on his heavenly throne. He observes everyone on earth; his eyes examine them. The LORD examines the righteous, but the wicked, those who love violence, he hates with a passion. On the wicked he will rain fiery coals and burning sulfur; a scorching wind will be their lot. For the LORD is righteous, he loves justice; the upright will see his face.’
The Lord is present and in control. Nothing happens on the earth that is a surprise to Him: ‘He observes everyone on earth.‘ Despite the moral confusion that might prevail he is clear about wickedness and righteousness. Despite the ascendency of the darkness His justice will not sleep forever. He cherishes a good purpose for those who love Him.
These are the certainties that exist in the midst of conflicting views, confusing debate and political point-scoring. There may be much that will cause us to wobble but our highest expression of faith is in the God of David, the God ultimately revealed In Jesus.
