The world is in crisis due to the coronavirus pandemic, and areas impacted by the virus have basically shut down. People are asked to stay home, practice social distancing, and churches worldwide are not operating online. This is an unprecedented situation and a potentially crippling predicament for mankind. The fight against the virus is on the global front and law enforcement in many areas are imposing strict measure to keep people off the streets to stop the pandemic. As times seem hopeless and fear is rampant, one thing we can rely on is our Lord Jesus Christ. In the life of the believer, we are reassured that Christ who came down, died for our sins, rose the third day and sits at the right hand of the Father is in control of our lives. We shouldn’t proceed like the unbelievers in panic and despair. Our Lord cares for us and promises everlasting life for those who believe in Him. He conquered death and sin, and offers us redemption from the original sin that was committed in the Garden of Eden. We are saved through Jesus, and this promise is absolute.
Thus, what can waiver the faith of the believer? Can a mere virus cause panic, anxiety and doubt? Can a virus cause a believer to be gripped with fear? The answer most assuredly is NO! In John 5:24 Jesus says, “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life. Therefore, if we have conquered death through Jesus, should we, the followers of Christ, the universal Church, fear a virus?
Now, the promise we have in Christ is solid and we can be assured that every promise that God makes, He is 100% reliable and true. God does not relent on His word, or break promises. In Romans 8:31-39 Paul the Apostles says:
31What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written:
“For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. AMEN
It’s clear to us in verses 31 – 32 that the definitive message is, GOD IS WITH US & HE GRACIOUSLY GIVES US ALL THINGS! There is no doubting these words and the clear affirmation is no matter the circumstance, God will not neglect us. The Lord has given us life, and He will sustain it. We should be comforted in knowing that our Heavenly Father cares for us, therefore nothing can separate us from the Lord. Jesus confirms the love of the Father when He states in Matthew 6:26-30:
26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? 28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith?
If we were to summarize these verses, the last statement would be the key phrase – YOU OF LITTLE FAITH! God provides for His children and will see us through this crisis. God is greater than any matter, situation, circumstance or in this case the Coronavirus pandemic. He can protect, He can heal and He certainly will provide comfort through the Holy Spirit in the time of need.
So, as the body of Christ, we must proceed with prayer asking the Lord to heal the land from the sin that it’s drowning in, and to ask for God to stop this pandemic. We can intercede on behalf of the unsaved, to allow the Lord to use this for His glory in bringing the unsaved to repentance. We must pray that the Holy Spirit touch those that don’t yet know Jesus, in order to find salvation in the midst of this storm. They must be comforted with the Holy Spirit and the guarantee of eternal life offered through Christ. As believers, let us be the light and salt and avoid responding like the unsaved – which is resorting to panic and distress. Now is the time to shine as true believers and children of the Kingdom of Heaven.
Turn to the Lord and help those to find Christ. Jesus will calm the storm (read Mark 4:35-41) and God has, is and will eternally be in control. Be comforted by the Holy Spirit to know that our God will protect us and heal us. Be a witness to your friends, family and neighbors, and may Christ forever be exalted, AMEN!
