But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:31
The mass hysteria that has gripped this nation in light of COVID-19 has been intensifying day by day. In some cases, people are stealing toilet paper in supermarkets. Some are even going in the bathroom of businesses to steal paper. Many people are purchasing far more food than they can consume with their families. The stock market has experienced its worst decline since 1987.
The impression we are getting from the news and social media is that we are all doomed to succumb to this virus. Social media is buzzing with rumors, unsafe remedies, and recommendations to fight the virus, as well as videos of people acting desperately. The government appears to be overwhelmed by the magnitude of the crisis as political leaders are beginning to point fingers at one another.
Yet believers have to remain steadfast in our faith in Almighty God. Amid the despair in the world, we have to remember that our God is a deliverer and a crisis solver. The Lord would not have his children to live in fear. Faith is our native tongue. Therefore, we have to look to the Lord who alone is the source of our strength and hope.
This is not the time for a believer to feel hopeless. For Isaiah reminds us that “those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.” Indeed, this crisis will pass at some point. No matter how bad things get, we have to wait on the Lord and be of good courage (Psalm 27:14).
While restaurants, nightclubs, bars, retail stores, and other non-essential businesses are closed, the Church of Jesus Christ must continue to provide spiritual services to the public. We may not be able to have corporate worship, but our ministries must remain vibrant. Prayer services must go on unabated. The truth of the gospel must be preached, even if we have to do it through virtual means. We cannot stop helping the poor and needy.
The Church must step up to fill the gaps left by governmental agencies. We have to encourage people to be strong and have hope amid difficult circumstances. Our love and compassion must be impactful in our sphere of influence.
I believe this crisis is a dress rehearsal for what will happen during the great tribulation according to the book of Revelation. As followers of Jesus Christ we are confident that the name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to him and are safe (Proverbs 8:10). “And we know that all things work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).
Therefore, we are not hopeless but hopeful. We are full of hope that the glory of God will be revealed as the Almighty will neutralize the ferociousness of COVID-19 just as he did with HIV, the Bubonic Plague, SARS, and many other pandemics that wreaked havoc in the world throughout history. God’s name will be glorified among the nations (Malachi 1:11).
Let us, therefore, help our neighbors, check on the elderly, feed the hungry, and help the helpless. Then people will see our confidence, our compassion will touch them, and they will know that our God is yet in charge of the world despite this crisis. COVID-19 allows us to increase our footprint in the world as followers of Christ. We should not let fear rob us of that opportunity.
Prayer- Blessed Lord, help your people to be mobilized to serve as kingdom workers so the world can feel your love through our ministry.