Our minds were programmed since we were young to have watched so many movies in the past concerning virus spreading like The Last Man on Earth (1964), The Crazies (1973), Outbreak (1995), Resident Evil (1996), I Am Legend (2007), Contagion (2011), World War Z (2013), and Train To Busan and Pandemic (2016). Today, the things in the past we thought were just science fiction became non-fiction. This novel (new) coronavirus which medical authorities labeled as Covid-19 is a new strain of virus coming from the family of viruses where the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV) originated. We have no idea how the spreading started for we could only assume. We may not know everything about the origin of this virus but we hope that as believers, we would respond right as you read this article.
In the Scripture, we are told that a kind of pestilence has created havoc during the time in the Old Testament where many people have died. (see 2 Sam. 24:15; Jer. 21:6; Deut. 28-31) It’s good to know that their response was to go back to the Lord in prayer whenever they are faced with enemies like this. And in the end, the Lord still reminded them under the leadership of Joshua that,
“It is the LORD who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” – Deut. 31:8
Amid these challenges that this virus is doing all over the globe let’s just continue to be in faith. Let us not worry. Let us not be fearful. Let us not be anxious. Let us not panic. Let us not follow how many people in this world are responding. Let us be at peace in God for He is still in charge of our lives, our family, our work, our business, and this world that we live in.
Let us continue to speak faith in our situation despite what’s happening all over us. Do not blame anyone nor the government. Instead, let us be prayerful individually and as a family. Let us grab this opportunity to share God’s love, peace, and salvation to many people. Let us trample this spiritual enemy on our feet for this is only what he can do creating fear in the hearts and minds of those who have no God in them.
Remember, Jesus said, “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation (sufferings, hardships, troubles). But take heart (literally, be of good cheer); I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). Truly God allowed some things like this to happen to call the world’s attention to Himself so they would call upon Him for salvation.
At the moment, let’s continue to follow the directives of the national government on how to contain this virus and professional advise of our health authorities by always washing our hands, wearing of our protective mask if necessary, maintaining social distance to prevent the spread of this virus, staying at home if you are not feeling well, and deciding to self-quarantine yourself if you come in contact with some infected people.
If you also have the opportunity before eating your breakfast, lunch, or dinner, please utter some words of prayer for the president and all the government officials that God will give them divine wisdom like that of Solomon on how to act in this kind of situation. Include also in your prayer those thousands of people who were already affected by this virus. Let us also pray for their healing.
The World Health Organization needs our prayer, along with the millions of medical doctors and personnel who are always on the frontline by treating patients with different sicknesses. They are very prone to catching this type of virus. Pray that there will be unity and agreement among them as they become sensitive to the Lord thereby leading them to the right cure and antidote for this type of virus.
If you notice, our world’s top business leaders and economy need prayer intercession so they will know how to plan without affecting their businesses and the many millions of employees because of this worldwide pandemic. Several businesses globally are already affected, like airlines, hotels, and different enterprises inside the malls. Whenever you see these establishments, why not utter a word of prayer while you are walking or driving that the Lord will spare them from the effect of this disease and no recession would take place.
Lastly, I believed we need to pray that through all the things that are happening worldwide, as these Covid-19 virus continue to spread all over the continent this gospel will also be preached to every part of the world. Remember, God can turn around this bad event that the spiritual enemy did toward the Lord’s glory and honor.
He said, “If you will obey me completely by doing what I consider right and by keeping my commands, I will not punish you with any of the diseases that I brought on the Egyptians. I am the LORD, the one who heals you.” – Exodus 15:26, Good News Bible
This is how the Lord can protect an individual or a nation if only they heed the Lord in their lives. Yes, He is omnipotent! As I quote from the lyrics of Victory Worship music titled Overcome the World where they encouraged us with this lyric,
Death could not keep You in the grave
You have overcome the world
You took all sin and shame away
You have overcome the world
You’re coming back again one day
You will overcome the world
Overcome the world
King Jesus, You’re victorious
All the heaven roars, You’re glorious
You are Lord of all, we shout Your name
Jesus, You are God, You forever reign
Yes, Jesus won the victory! And let us be encouraged by the Apostle Paul’s writing when he scribbled under divine inspiration while in Corinth stating, “Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope,” (Rom. 5:3-4) This is because many years from now, our great grandchildren will look back to this very challenging year. It is our hope and prayer that they and many of our future generation will be reminded and encourage of how their godly ancestors respond in faith when a worldwide tragedy such as this happened.
May God bless us, give us peace, heal us, be merciful, and continue to protect every one of us and our nation!