Covid-19 has taken over the world. After World War II, Covid-19 has become the real global headlines in all major newspapers and social media. All other news has disappeared into the background. The whole world seems to be shaking and trembling in fear and anxiety. There are, of course, doomsday prophets; as well as; ‘ostrich’ proponents, misguiding religious leaders and sane scientists giving their own piece of ‘bytes’ in the television and social media.
WHY This Covid-19 Pandemic?
- Disease – Disobedience To Natural Laws
The disobedience of the first human couple, Adam and Eve, brought all curses including sickness upon the human race. This made the world imperfect. Infections, weaknesses, lack of hygiene, indiscipline in eating habits… are some causes of sickness.
Sometimes, sickness could be inflicted by Satan as in the case of Job. (Job 2:7,8) God vouched for the integrity of Job and allowed Job to be tested by Satan, who chose sickness as one of his tools for testing. - Disobedience To Spiritual Laws
The disobedience to spiritual laws also invites adverse consequences. Violation of God’s Ten Commandments, selfishness, pride, rebellion, stubbornness and lack of faith also are causes of sickness that affects the body, emotions, mind and spirit. - Disability And Accidents
Some accidents cripple or make a person chronically ill. Wrong medicine has made some people blind. Fanny Crosby became blind when she was six weeks old because of medical negligence. Amy Carmichael had a fall and was bedridden from 1931 until her death in 1957. Both excelled as a songwriter and devotional writer respectively, blessing millions and lifting millions out of depression and helping them find the peace in God. - Deterrent And Punishment
Sometimes, God gives warnings, which could be in the form of sickness to get our attention and not go astray. C.S. Lewis wrote: “We can ignore even pleasure. But pain insists upon being attended to. God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: it is his megaphone to rouse a deaf world.” - Divine Wrath And Judgement
David’s son had to die because of his adulterous relationship with Bathsheba. (II Samuel 12:23) David’s fasting and prayer for the life of his son did not bring any answer from God. - Discern God’s Purpose
“Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him.” (John 9:3) Human fall, sin and depravity could bring God’s wrath. However, His grace is abundant and the result would be the ‘glory of God’ displayed.
CHRISTIAN RESPONSE
- Reflect In Light Of The Bible
The only ultimate reference point for all questions is the Holy Scripture. Even in the age of knowledge and information, revelation is the only way to know the Truth. Our infinite minds cannot search and understand His marvellous works. Hence, in times of trouble, it is essential to ‘search the Scripture’. The Prophet Jeremiah gives a call to the Nation of Israel, when Babylonians ruthlessly destroyed Jerusalem. “Let us test and examine our ways, and return to the LORD!” (Lamentations 3:40) The Prophet Haggai also gave a similar call: “Thus says the LORD of hosts: Consider your ways.” (Haggai 1:7) - Repent From Sin
As individuals, we have to repent. As families, we have to repent. As communities, societies and nations, we have to repent. Sins of corruption, catechism, division, regionalism, language chauvinism, lack of vision, lack of burden, lack of mission in church should be mourned, repented and prayed for.
‘People of God’ – the Church- should first repent on behalf of the all people. “If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” (II Chronicles 7:14) Daniel confessed sins on behalf of the Nation of Israel. (Daniel 9:5) - Reject Unrighteousness
Confession of sin is wedded with ‘forsaking of sin’. Confession is not creating an opportunity to sin again. Instead, it is ‘forsaking’ sins and leading a holy life. All kinds of ‘unrighteousness’ that is permitted in culture and society should be rejected. - Receive Lord Jesus
The Lord Jesus knocks at the doors of our heart. (Revelation 3:20) At times like this, the knock is ‘loud and clear’. Do we welcome him? As there was no place in the ‘Inn’ in Bethlehem, there is no space for the Lord Jesus Christ in our lives. He may have a place in our minds, but not in our hearts. Our silly, stubborn and foolish hearts must be Transformed Into Sensitive, Simple And Sensible Hearts. - Reconcile With All
The ministry of reconciliation (II Corinthians 5:18) is for the Church to invite sinners to be reconciled with God. This leads to reconciliation with one another. No hate, no bitterness, no enmity, no envy, no anger, no revenge; instead, love, joy and peace dominate. This is the time to put away all ‘yeast’ of Pharisees. - Rest From Worry, Fear And Doubt
This is a time to exercise faith. The Lord Jesus Christ rebuked the disciples for their ‘little’ or ‘feeble’ faith. The reasons for such meagre faith were: worry (Matthew 6:25-33), fear (Matthew 8:26) and doubt. (Matthew 14:31) - Repurpose Life: Fear And Flee Or Sacrifice And Save
This is the time to take a hard look at our lives, meaning and purpose. In such circumstances, should we escape? Pastors, elected representatives, social workers, doctors, nurses…cannot run away. They ought to serve like ‘Good shepherds’ up to the point of death. (John 10:11,16)
The local churches should think how they can practically get involved and encourage the congregation to be volunteers in the community. - Rejoice In The Lord
In such circumstances, we know the Lord’s coming is near or perhaps, even our death. The day of redemption is drawing near. Hence, anticipation of joy, glory and eternal life in His presence can help us to rejoice in the Lord. (Philippians 4:4) - Re-Think Future
With this experience, we cannot be confident or sure about tomorrow. (James 4:15) Life is fragile; hence, we need to decide prayerfully our priorities in life, including our plans for the future. - Renewal
This is also a time for personal renewal: spiritual, mental, emotional and physical. Re-discover our ‘first love’ for the Lord. (Revelation 2:4)
PRACTICAL ACTION POINTS
• It is wise to choose a book of the Bible, like Ephesians or Job or Daniel and read it several times, making special effort to understand in-depth.
• There are books we have purchased, but could not find time to read. This is the best time to clear such backlog.
• Re-arranging personal office, study place, shelves, wardrobe…etc.
• Cleaning, colouring, re-setting, repairing to be done as family.
• Going down memory lane, by organizing all photos, talking with one another as a family and reminiscing all those days, thanking God’s faithfulness.
• Time to call over phone or chat through social media, with some friends whom we have not been in touch for long.
• Neighbours have become strangers as we were all busy. Now an opportunity to become at least ‘known-strangers’ has arisen.
• Children could be taught the importance of living without gadgets, by helping them to read and do other activities, which are healthy knowledge and skill enhancing.
• Revisiting old hobbies and making them alive.
• Retrieving songs that we forgot to hear, and once more hear and relish them.
• Learning new skills of computer usage, smart phone usage by older people from teens.
• Isaac Newton was at home, escaping a plague, when an apple fell on his head to discover ‘gravity’. May God help you to discover new facts, truths and information.
Challenge
The Church has always been the ‘healing community’ in the broken world. In medieval times, ‘monasteries’ in Europe were ‘cities of refuge’ offering hope for humanity providing education and special self-less and sacrificial service for the sick. Like monks who demonstrated Christian love, all Christians should rise up to this occasion of challenge to bring radical blessings in our communities and nations.
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