Desperate Times call for Desperate Measures

   The above quote is attributed to Hippocrates,  the ancient Greek physician.  Everyone has seen the social media post suggesting you put a basket of  single socks on the back of your toilet in the absence of toilet paper,   “Desperate times”.   Interestingly,  Hippocrates may have said this while encountering the same type of situation we have today.  In his work, Amorphisms, he wrote, “For extreme diseases, extreme methods of cure, as to restriction, are most suitable”.   During adversity such as Coranavirus outbreaks, actions that normally seem extreme, might be warranted.  Our current state of affairs and these definitions certainly point to desperation.

   I’m reading the one year chronological Bible and I’ve been wondering around with the Israelites for about eight weeks now.  We’ve finally reached the Promised Land and Joshua is parceling out the goods.  However, back in Exodus, when the children of Israel were trying to escape Egypt,  things got desperate.  You know the story,  Moses led them out of Egypt,  they hadn’t gotten far when Pharoah changed his mind and decided to come after them.  They were between the Red Sea and the Egyptian army, much has been written about this predicament.  Much has been written about the symbolic nature of this predicament.  Actions that might seem extreme under normal circumstances are appropriate during adversity.  The Israelites were frantic and rightly so.  I wonder if someone yelled,  “desperate times call for desperate measures”  as he jumped into the churning Red Sea. 

   The Bible records that in their desperation,  the Israelites begin to yell at Moses.  Read his answer slowly.

 “Don’t be afraid.  Just stand still and watch the Lord rescue you today. The Egyptians you see today will never be seen again.  The Lord himself will fight for you.  Just stay calm."  (NLT Exodus 14:13,14)  Stay calm.  Don’t you long for everyone to calm down.  The Pulpit Commentary says “do nothing,  remain at peace.”

 Thank you to all the healthcare staff, first responders, transporters and suppliers of goods, you are the hands of God during this time.  He is using you for His good purpose.  However, ultimately, the end of this pandemic is in His hands.  We have no control over who contracts the disease or how it plays out.  We can, remain at peace because  “The Lord HIMSELF will fight for you”.

Thinkin’ this morning ‘bout the Lord who is fighting for us.  Thanking Him for his faithfulness