Coronavirus

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High
Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress;
My God, in Him I will trust.”
3 Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler
And from the perilous pestilence.
4 He shall cover you with His feathers,
And under His wings you shall take refuge;
His truth shall be your shield and buckler.
5 You shall not be afraid of the terror by night,
Nor of the arrow that flies by day,
6 Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness,
Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.
7 A thousand may fall at your side,
And ten thousand at your right hand;
But it shall not come near you.
Psalm 91:1-7 NKJV.

The coronavirus, or COVID-19, is sweeping the world.  Europe is now the epicentre.  Our heart goes out to all those affected, and we pass on our love and prayers to Brief Word readers wherever you are in the world.

Something much more though is gripping people’s hearts; it is fear, paranoia and panic.  There’s been panic buying of goods from supermarkets, and people wondering about their jobs, their future, and health.  Economies around the world are already feeling the painful presence of this pandemic.

It is a time of uncertainty, unprecedented restrictions, and facing a great unknown.  However, for us Christians, I believe there is a stance to take, a position of faith and fearlessness in the face of these issues.

How do we respond?  What do we do?  Here’s my seven point, prayerful, pandemic preparation plan.  May the Holy Spirit give you help and hope.

Seriously!  It is important to be informed, up to date, and equipped with the appropriate local advise, but, don’t overdo coronavirus information.  The media do a good job in informing, but we can become saturated with it all, and our mind becomes overloaded and thus creates fear and panic and dread about what might happen.

See Philippians 4:8.

Erwin Raphael McManus says this; Worry is not rooted in reality, but it does affect our reality.  Fear and worry are powerful emotions.  He also says this; Our anxiety, our distress, our worry—when stripped to its very essence—is rooted in nothing, or at least in nothing we can control. 

But we are people who do not have an issue with control, right?  We know Who ultimately controls all, and we are happy to rest, settle, and be at peace even in the midst of things over which we have no control.

“Let’s not exaggerate the novelty of our situation”.  (S C Lewis)

See 1 John 4:18

We must pray!  God can stop this virus in its tracks.  God could bring this virus to an end overnight.  He is a prayer-hearing God, He is concerned by the events of our lives, (because He is in us and with us) He is already involved in our human affairs.  He can change things!  Let’s join with the thousands of believers in asking God to bring this virus to an end!

May this be a time when many hear the good news of Jesus, and respond in believing faith, and become born again!

Our connection to God and God’s release of power to His people through prayer is unlimited by geography, unhindered by travel restrictions, and unleashed by faith-filled believers!  Faith is the currency of Heaven.

Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler And from the perilous pestilence. Psalm 91:3 NKJV.

God can deliver us from the power of the virus.  Let’s believe God.

See Jeremiah 33:3.

It is important to be wise.  It is important to be informed.  It is important to know what is required of us on a local level, and as much as we are able, to do that.

We’re told washing hands, sneezing into your elbow or a cloth, don’t touch your face with your hands, stay at home if you’re sick, clean surfaces regularly, etc., are basic hygiene requirements to foil the spread of the virus.

Let’s follow these instructions and do our part to defeat the virus’ progress.

See Proverbs 10:8.

This is the antidote to thinking and speaking and having the coronavirus consume our minds.  Just put God first.  God is No1 and there is no No2.

We can spend considerable time talking about the virus, and we should to be well informed and equipped.  However let’s talk about Jesus more!

There’s an old hymn which puts it well;

Let’s talk about Jesus, the King of kings is He

The Lord of lords supreme, through all eternity

The great I AM, the Way, the Truth, the Life, the Door

Let’s talk about Jesus more and more

Amen!  Let’s keep our focus on Jesus.

See Matthew 6:33.

Remember, … perfect love casts out fear … God the Father loves us.  He does.  God the Father loves the Son, perfectly.  (John 5:20).  God doesn’t love us on a measure less than His love for the Son.  He loves us just the same!  You and I, need to know, that no matter what happens in our lives, He loves us.

Be refreshed in His love.  God the Father just loves you!  You have access to God, in Christ!  God is not angry with you.  There’s nothing you can do to earn your standing before the Father.  There’s nothing you can do to lose your standing before the Father.  There’s nothing you can do for God to love you more, nothing you can do for God to love you less!

See John 3:16.

Jesus conquered death.  It has no hold on us.  Death for the Christ-follower, the Christian (the person with Christ in) is the transition to eternity with the Lord!  Sin has no power on us.  The Devil has no legal claim to us.

We will all die (should Jesus tarry).  That day need not scare us.  It is a promotion!  Death is the doorway from here to there, it is the crossing from here to there, it is the transition from here to there.

It’s true we can’t chose the day of our departure from this earth, only God does that.  And it’s also true that some pass away peacefully while others suffer.  However we transition into His presence, it will bring Him glory as we finally and forever escape the pain, sorrow and tears of this life, and begin to enjoy an eternity with the Father won for us by Christ’s sacrificial death on the Cross.

The virus does not reign – God reigns.  The virus does not win – God wins.

See 1 Corinthians 15:54-55. 

The Devil wants us to live in fear.  But God, … has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV.

We have the Holy Spirit in us.  He is power.  He is love.

Some people face these times differently, with a different spirit.  Yes, there could be disruption, changes and challenges, but, they face it knowing some unshakable things.  They know there is a God who cares and is involved in the day to day affairs of His people.  They also know that ultimately, we all die, but they know where they’re going when that happens; earth is temporary, Heaven is forever!

I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress;
My God, in Him I will trust.” Psalm 92:2 NKJV.