One question that comes to my mind at this point of time when the world is facing a serious Covid-19
pandemic is this: Is the Coronavirus God’s judgement on a sinful and godless generation?
“If my people who are called by my name will 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.” 2
Chronicles 7:14.
When there is Pandemic
When the Temple of God was being consecrated, God declared: “When I shut up heaven and there is no rain, or command the locust to devour the land, or send pestilence among my people…” 2 Chronicles 7:13. This was the context for that monumentally important scripture verse. During anytime of disaster, humility, prayer and repentance should be our response.
To heal our land
God declares that he would not heed to our prayers until we observe 4 things required by him. In other words for God to forgive and heal our land we must make it serious to:
1. Humble ourselves
2. Pray
3. Seek God’s face and
4. Turn away from our wicked ways (2 Chronicles 7:14)
In time of pestilence let’s call for repentance In Luke 13:2-3, it was reported to Jesus that the Galileans were being massacred by Pontius Pilate. This was in the Temple in Jerusalem, “Jesus answered and said unto them, ‘Do you suppose that these
Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, no;
but unless you repent you will likewise perish.” Luke 13:2-3. Jesus then referred to the disastrous collapse of the tower in Siloam, where 18 people died. “Or those
eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.” Luke 13:4-5. In these scriptures we see that Jesus Christ our Lord used both natural and manmade disasters as an opportunity to call people to repentance.
The Blessings of Obedience and Curses of Disobedience
The Law of God makes clear that there are blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience. While we are judged in Eternity as individuals, we are judged on earth as nations. There are blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience. What we plant is what we shall harvest. “I also will do this to you: I will even appoint terror over you, wasting disease and fever which shall consume the eyes and cause sorrow of heart. And you shall sow your seed in vain, for your enemies shall eat it.” Leviticus 26:16.
Sickness can be a Judgment from God
“Also every sickness and every plague, which is not written in this Book of the Law, will the Lord bring
upon you until you are destroyed.” Deuteronomy 28:61.
“Therefore I will also make you sick by striking you, by making you desolate because of your sins.”
Micah 6:13.
National Consequences
In the Law of God, in Leviticus 26, Deuteronomy 28 and Jeremiah 18, we read that there are blessings of
obedience and curses for disobedience that come upon a nation. “The instant I speak concerning a nation and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, to pull down and to destroy it, if that nation against whom I have spoken turns from its evil, I will relent of the disaster that I thought to bring upon it. And the instant I speak concerning a nation and concerning a kingdom, to build and to plant it, if it does evil in my sight so that it does not obey my voice, then I will relent concerning the good with which I said I would benefit it. Now therefore, speak to the men of Judah and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, saying, ‘thus says the Lord: Behold, I am fashioning a disaster and devising a plan against you. Return now everyone from his evil way, and make your ways and your doings good.” Jeremiah 18:7-11
None of these Diseases
“If you diligently heed the voice of the Lord your God and do what is right in His sight, give ear to His
Commandments and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have brought
on the Egyptians. For I am the Lord who heals you.” Exodus 15:26 “And the Lord will take away from you all sickness, and will afflict you with none of the terrible diseases of Egypt which you have known, but will lay them on all those who hate you.” Deuteronomy 7:15
Turn to the God Who Heals
We are all called to turn to God who “healeth thee. “O Lord my God, I cried out to you and you healed
me.” Psalm 30:2; “for he heals the broken hearted and binds up their wounds”. Psalm 147:3
“Come, and let us return to the Lord; for He has torn, but He will heal us; He has stricken, but He will
bind us up.” Hosea 6:1
Disaster, Disease and Death are Not Necessarily the Fault of the One Who is suffering
However, now we live in a fallen world, where disease, disaster and death are part of daily life. We should not assume that disaster or disease comes upon an individual because of their personal sin.
When the disciples asked our Lord concerning the man born blind, His disciples asked: “Rabbi, who sinned, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?” “Jesus answered, ‘Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him.” John 9:3 Respond in Faith Not with Fear
How should we respond to disaster and disease, pandemic and panic?
Well, obviously, as Christians, we may not respond in fear. “For God has not given us a spirit of
fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7. There are those who think that suspending church services is a sign of fear and panic, this is a wrong thinking. When the
head of state speaks, he speaks with authority and God has placed him in that office with a purpose. “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. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance
of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good
works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? Do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: Romans 13:1-3. We must obey and submit to the authorities.
Obedience is better than sacrifice; “And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings
and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.” 1 Samuel 15:22-23
Do Not Worry About Anything – Pray About Everything
Our Lord commands us not to worry (Matthew 6:25). “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7. “Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7
God Works All Things for Good for Those Who Love Him
As Christians, we have a confidence that God works all things together for good for those who love Him and who are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). As Joseph could say to his wicked brothers who sold him into slavery. “But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good…” Genesis 50:20. What man means for evil, God can use for good, for His people.
Opportunities for Evangelism
We need to see in every disaster and disease, an opportunity for Evangelism. As our Lord used occasions
of natural or man-made disasters to call people to consider Eternity and to respond in repentance, so
we need to have a sense of urgency to use such opportunities for evangelistic conversations.
Urgency
Is it not extraordinary, that within just a few months, the whole world has heard about the Coronavirus
and its symptoms and precautions one needs to take to prevent contracting it, or spreading it? Why is it taking the church so long to fulfil the Great Commission of Jesus Christ? Since the fall of man, we have been in a state of emergency. The sinful rebellion of human beings against our Creator and violation of his Laws is the greatest disaster and threat through all of history. Sin is the worst pandemic. Sin has a 100% infection rate. Sin has a 100% mortality rate. There is only one cure. We have Good News of the only Saviour.
Conclusion
In the Book of Acts, we read that the believers went everywhere, proclaiming the Gospel to all, they were contagious believers. Historians describe the spread of the Gospel in the First Century, as like a wildfire, contagious disease, but in a positive sense. Christianity is more caught than taught. Is your faith vibrant? Is your relationship with the Lord real? Is your Christianity contagious?
Kindly observe all hygiene as required by World Health Organization, avoid handshakes, sanitize your
hands-wash your hands more often and avoid crowded areas. If possible stay indoors and adhere to the
directives given by the government and World Health Organization.
I acknowledge using sources from Dr. Peter Hammond (www.FrontlineMissionSA.org)