What should we do with this coronovirus? Should we lock ourselves in? Should we self-isolate? Should we close the church? What should be Christian’s response to the threat which is around us? I hope to give answers to this question today.
First of all, we need to understand the nature and what are the origins of this virus. If you follow social media, or the Internet, surely you heard many conspiracy theories. You may have heard that the virus originated in Wuhan bio-laboratory. Maybe it mutated from bats. You can hear that it could be a biological weapon. There are even voices, it was human-engineered. So many theories, so many news, where do we turn to, to find the truth?
We are born-again Christians. We will reach for our Bibles and the Word of God will instruct us what to do. We will not listen to other people, not follow television and media to find the answers, we will get them from our God. We will not even listen to the government, if what they tell us contradicts the Scriptures!
So, there is pestilence around us. People get infected. People get sick. People die. It is all very sad and I understand – it can be quite scary. But we stick to the promises of our God. We find comfort and consolation in His Word.
“For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear;” Rom. 8:15
Pestilence. What is this coronavirus? I tell you all, it is God’s wrath coming upon the earth. It is His righteous judgement upon this wicked world. We find it in the book of Leviticus:
“And I will bring a sword upon you, that shall avenge the quarrel of my covenant: and when ye are gathered together within your cities, I will send the pestilence among you; and ye shall be delivered into the hand of the enemy.” Lev. 26:25
God sent us coronavirus, praise Him forever! Let us continue with the next verse:
“And when I have broken the staff of your bread, ten women shall bake your bread in one oven, and they shall deliver you your bread again by weight: and ye shall eat, and not be satisfied.” Lev. 26:26
You see how it is linked together? Pestilence and hunger. Have you been to the shops recently? Supply chains are broken. The shelves are empty. It may be like that for weeks or months or years. The plague of hunger is to come. All the financial markets are literally imploding. The economy of the whole world is currently on hold. The staff of our bread is broken.
In the book of Ezekiel, we read: “she [writing of Jerusalem] hath changed my judgements into wickedness”. This is us, people! We have changed our hearts, hardened them with our sins. We have denied our Creator. We rejected His goodness and His commandments. We despised the order of things he created. We kill babies in mothers wombs, just look at the numbers of abortions. Men are addicted to filthy lusts, the Internet is dominated with pornography. We are selfish, we are greedy. The world is full of filthiness and abominations.
God’s anger is just and real!
It should shake us to the ground if we are not saved today.
“A third part of thee shall die with the pestilence, and with famine shall they be consumed in the midst of thee: and a third part shall fall by the sword round about thee; and I will scatter a third part into all the winds, and I will draw out a sword after them.
Thus shall mine anger be accomplished, and I will cause my fury to rest upon them, and I will be comforted: and they shall know that I the LORD have spoken it in my zeal, when I have accomplished my fury in them.” Ez. 5:12-13
How long did you expect the Almighty God to wait to fulfil His judgements? He was long-suffering us for a very long time! I ask then, what is your response? Have you repented of your sins? Have you turned to Him yet, begging for forgiveness? There was never a better time for it then today! Do not delay. Today is the day of salvation, if you hear his voice.
This is how a Christian responds to what is happening around us today. We turn to our God and beg Him for mercy and forgiveness. We tear our hearts, as the Jews torn their clothes when they were fasting. Our hearts need to be broken.
Let us pray Him that we may still save some souls in this wicked world. Bless Him for these times of tribulation, for now we may have our prayers for revival answered. We may be able finally to witness the Spirit of God moving whole societies, touching people’s hearts. Let us be the instruments in His mighty hands. Let us be servants of righteousness!
Our God is a holy and righteous Judge, but I also have to tell you another thing about Him. He is the God of all comfort. Paul writes in 2 Cor.: “Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;”
Christians have a mission here on earth. We are to preach the gospel. We are to preach the kingdom of God. The same comfort that we were comforted with, we can now share and comfort all them who are heartbroken because of their sins. So let us open up to those in need. Let us seek opportunities to share the message of the cross with all the people in our communities.
For we have a mighty and wonderful God in our Lord Jesus Christ,
“Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. “
This is the message we have to this world. “For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.”
Why should we be afraid of the virus?
“In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.” Ps. 56:4
I am not afraid of what will happen to me! I should not be! I have not chosen the day to come to this world. I cannot change the day that is appointed for me to die! I will not fear what flesh can do unto me, for my God is in control!
This pestilence around is a real test for all Christians. I pray we are not found lukewarm. We stand on the Word of God and what it teaches us. We cannot surrender to the fears of this world.
Should we be closing churches? God forbid! Let the door remain open for all who will be searching God and his mercies! Especially in the times of tribulation the Word of God needs to be preached. The door of the church will remain open, until our Lord Jesus Christ comes back to take us home!
“Behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.” Rev. 3:8
When Peter is freed from the jail by an angel, he receives the following instruction:
”Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.” Acts 5:20
Where is Peter supposed to speak? In the temple! This building is designed for preaching the Word of God. This is where people who are oppressed will seek comfort that we are supposed to provide through the abundance of grace of our Christ.
People tell us to close? The Scriptures tell us ”We ought to obey God rather than men.” Acts 5:29
Brethren, Easter is coming. This is the most important feast for any Christian. We remember Christ crucified and joyfully preach the empty tomb and resurrection on Sunday morning. This is not the time to close the church, for we have the most important message to share that the world can hear today.
With all these difficulties that we face, there is one thing we can be sure of. The wrath of God is not towards His children. We know Christ died for us! There is no more God’s anger, for Jesus took it all on Himself. He suffered terrible death for His church and we are His own people.
So no matter what happens to us, Christians, we find our comfort in the Word of God. We also remember, this comfort is given to us, so that we may comfort all them who are afflicted. Let us make sure, our love is shared outwardly towards this world. Especially, in these time.
And to God, our Father, let there be glory forever and ever for His everlasting love and mercies! Let His grace flows abundantly to all of you here today. AMEN!
