The COVID-19 virus, which began in Wuhan, China, is now a pandemic which has gradually affected the whole world. COVID-19 stands for “Corona Viral Infectious Disease, 2019”. This virus which began with one infected person has now spread to many, many people and has killed 2% of those who have suffered with the illness. Due to this virus, 3.78 million people have become sick and 265,000 people have lost their lives
Also, the world economy has been badly affected and the economy of developing nations is collapsing. Additional challenges include the fact that consumable goods have become very expensive, unemployment has risen tremendously, the airlines are losing money; flight operations are closed as the industry remains paralyzed every day, the stock market is crashing, and the oil market is flat.
There are also ongoing, additional conditions, apart from this pandemic where the death rate is very high: cancer, aids, hypertension, and heart related illness, traffic accidents, natural calamities, death associated with childbirth, the death of children in developing nations between the ages of 1-5.
However, there is more fear associated with the Corona Virus, because it progresses very quickly. The number of patients who have Corona has gone from tens to hundreds to thousands very rapidly.
Should we be afraid of this pandemic?
Should we take the suggested precautionary steps?
Should we be fearful of death, itself?
The Reality of Death
Generally, this virus has claimed the lives of about 2% of those who become ill, although in some cases a 5% death rate has been reported. So, it is true that the majority of those who become ill with the disease will not die. But the fear of death is ruling over our world. Many more will die due to the fear of COVID-19 than the illness itself.
One thing that we must always remember is:
Life is uncertain, but death is certain.
One day death will certainly approach each one of us. And, we don’t know when that day will be. Not one of us know for sure if we will have our next breath…or not. We were born worship God, and we were born…to die. Death is certain; the time of death, is not.
The Fear of Death
-Should we fear death?
-Why is the common person afraid of death? Because he does not want to leave his wife, children or his business behind. He finds it difficult to give these things up.
-Does the Word of God inform us about death?
The Universal Truth about Death
Death, the universal truth, cannot be denied by anyone. Not the rich or poor, the beggar, fisherman, businessman, professor, doctor, engineer, man, woman, large or small employer, employees, the educated or uneducated or the prophet. All… have tasted death.
But, will the fear of death come to an end?
Before the time of our birth, King David wrote (In the book of Psalms) that God has determined the limits of our life – the beginning and the end. Only the Lord God Almighty knows our life span. When the time of our departure arrives, there will be a reason, and we will depart from this world. At exactly the right time.
Even if at that moment there were hundreds of doctors around the bed of the patient, they will not be able to stop the death from occurring. In the same way, if it is not our time to depart from this world, no form of accident, sickness, plague or calamity will cause our end.
When our time on earth is finished then we will leave this world. We will not leave this world before or after our appointed time.
“For thou hast possessed my reins; thou hast covered me in m mother’s womb.”
Psalm 139:13 KJV
“I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.”
Psalm:14 KJV
“My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.”
Psalm 139:15 KJV
“Thine eyes did see my substance yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.”
Psalm 139:16 KJV
Someone once asked a very senior servant of God if he feared death. He responded, “I do not fear death, but I fear the process of dying.”
It is the process of dying that causes us fear, the disease which weakens our bodies and the aches and pains which cause us to be fearful.
We know from the bible that good comes out of evil.
“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.”
Romans 8:28 KJV
All things work together for good – the positive circumstances and the negative.
But, how is that possible?
Most of us believe that only the good things work together for our good. So, what good can come out of evil things, circumstances and situations.
Just think about the Corona Virus, we have been told to stay home; not go out. But think about this! Within this directive is the concept of REST. We are on holiday!
There is much good that can come from this time of REST!
Stay home together.
Stay home and pray to the Lord for mercy.
Fellowship together.
We can spend time with one another, our family, in fellowship together
Enjoy a future picture of rest in heaven.
The whole world system has come to a standstill! It is like a world-wide Sabbath, the day of rest. This is a picture of the forth coming Sabbath restwhich God’s people will enjoy in Heaven. And, it is right for us to obey those who are in authority.
“Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God’ the powers that be are ordained of God”
Romans 13:1 KJV
“Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resiteth the ordinance of God; and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.”
Romans 13:2 KJV
Talk to one another.
This is very therapeutic for everyone, whether you are a patient of this virus or not.
Study the Word of God.
During ordinary days maybe you don’t have time to read the word of God because of daily schedules – worldly business, general busyness, appointments, meetings, etc. But now, life is slow because of the virus. Now, you can choose to either fill your thoughts and mind with the fear of COVID-19, or with the Holy, Living, Eternal, Unchangeable, Inerrant, Perfect Word of God. The choice is yours.
Pray in order to make your inner man strong
Pray to take all of our fears, struggles, issues, burdens and anxieties unto the Lord.
Confess your sins.
This is the best time to come before the Lord in the spirit of confession. Lord! I confess my infirmities, my weaknesses and my sins before you.
Give thanks unto the Lord for His goodness.
Pray for others; help others.
Encourage one another to know the love of the Lord in a deeper way.
Come away from traditional religiosity and shallow spiritually. Open your inner self in order to understand the Person of God and His love for you, with an open heart. Keep the window of your inner self…open! So that the fresh breeze and waves of light may come in.
Examine yourself and ask God to examine your heart.
“Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my thoughts.”
Psalm 139:23 KJV
“And see if there be any wicked way in me and lead me in the way of everlasting.”
Psalm 139:24 KJV
Forgive others.
Consider this – if you go through how water or are trapped by fear due to COVID19 or are experiencing fear for another reason, you may wish that you had forgiven someone. It is not my intention to frighten you, but death is a universal truth. It may come today or a century from today. Fear insists that we live in the shadow of death. Before that time comes, must forgive others, unconditionally, so that we may say goodbye in a light and happy note. You may be hurt by this statement – but this is reality.
Love the life that God has given to you.
We have only one life to live – come out of negative thoughts and attitudes. Instead, use your life for the work and Glory of God!
Tell others about the Lord Jesus Christ.
Others need to know Him. Disobedience must be turned into obedience unto the Lord and then to leave behind the sins, evil, drugs, drunkenness, selfishness, jealousy, murder, party spirit, adultery greed, theft, taking unlawful profit or gain, kidnapping for ransoms, idol worship, hate, enmity and witchcraft.
Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies…”
Gal 5:19, 20 KJV
Sometimes people repent, temporarily, and when the negative circumstances return to a normal life, they turn back to their old lifestyle. They use God for a very short period of time. It is in vain; it is useless.
Dream about your future.
Use this time to plan and develop purposeful projects.
As the individual head of your family, a Pastor of a Church, or a ministry leader think of creative ways to plan.
Contemplate creative ways to do all ministry.
Pray for future areas of focus regarding new Evangelistic work.
Here is a very important question:
Is it possible for a Christian believer, a Pastor or an Evangelist to die due to the COVID19 virus? While movements of death are ruling all over the world, is this death only for non-believers? Only for the godless or sinners?
You might think, what kind of a questions are these?
Are believers exempt from death?
“The wise man’s eyes are in his head; but the fool walketh in darkness: and I myself perceived also that one event happeneth to them all.”
Ecc 2:14 KJ
“All things come alike to all: there is one event to the righteous, and to the wicked; to the good and to the clean, and to the unclean; to him that sacrificeth, and to him that sacrificeth not: as is the good, so is the sinner; and he that sweareth, as he that feareth an oath.”
Ecc 9:2 KJV
“This is an evil among all things that are done under the sun, that there is one event unto all: yea, also the heart of the sons of men is full of evil, and madness is in their heart while they live, and after that they go to the dead.”
Ecc 9:3 KJV
We should not enter into this dangerous zone of thinking in the name of faith.
“A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself; but the simple pass on, and are punished.”
Proverbs 22:3 KJV
It is very important to have faith, but we must also be careful to have wisdom and action. Those who are far away from God must repent and pray. This is the action that the person must take. Then the matter is in the hands and the will of God Almighty – who will survive and who will leave this earth.
Here is a very important difference.
Anyone who is without Christ, has no hope. But, on the other hand, he who has genuinely repented and has faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, He knows where he will go when he leaves this world.
Lord Jesus Christ said,
“…and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”
Matthew 28:20 KJV
Behold, I am always with you until the end of the age. God is with me. This hope keeps the believer firm and strong whether he remains in this world or leaves this world.
May the Lord strengthen your faith and keep you safe under His wings.
Be blessed.
