Coronavirus: the world on its knees

The hard truth

Life always gets to the point where no system of this world can save you. The health services will fail. The financial services will fail. The government will fail. Every single system in this world will eventually fail.

There’s nothing in this world that’s permanent or secure. Everything is temporary and all of nature is subject to decay.
The Godly foundation on which we build our lives is the only thing that will stand when the storms of life inevitably come. Only the kingdom of God is forever. His love is the only thing that you can’t lose. His refuge truly cannot be shaken.

The reality of our mortality

There’s nothing more certain than the fact that we are going to die and we’re not necessarily in control of when. Life is a death sentence. 60 million people die every year. As much as we’ve conditioned ourselves to avoid thinking about death, we must remember that it is everyone’s reality. It’s the one thing that no one can escape. No matter how healthy or safe you feel, death will definitely come one day.

The COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic highlights our fragility and weakness as human beings. We love to think that we’re invincible and that our modern interventions will save us. We think we have an advantage over our ancestors because we keep inventing new measures, technologies, vaccines and ways to try and cheat death. We’re living longer and this has lured us into thinking that we have full control. The truth is that this control is an illusion and when sicknesses, pandemics and natural disasters come, this illusion is shattered. We are faced with the reality of our mortality.

How often we forget that life is fragile and only God is in control! No amount of savvy or money can save your soul. Our souls need hope. That hope and source is only in God. Only God can give us life and sustain us. Without God, all is indeed vanity (Ecclesiastes 1:2).

As we think about, let us remember that death is not a bondage for the believers. We know that physical death is not something to fear because our master Jesus has defeated death. Part of his promises to us is that death is not the end; there is hope beyond death. Christ died and rose again so that you and I may have eternal life. Christ is our hope in life and in death.

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25–26).

A call for repentance

There’s never been a more perfect time to fall down on your knees to seek God’s face. Seek God vehemently and with all your heart. Cry out for mercy even in your isolation. Cling to the Father for everything. Repent of your sins and unrighteousness and cling to the saving vine. Know that salvation only comes from the Lord. Know that God loves you and holds you close to His heart. Know that Jesus died for your sins so that you can have eternal life.

If you and your church have been wholly focused on providing weekly entertainment, watered-down and perverse versions of the gospel, now is the time to fall on your knees and repent. If you and your church have been primarily focused on building an earthly kingdom, riches and affluence, now is the time to pursue the true God and set aside the god of mammon.

Let me ask you this: What is your heart running after? What are you devoting everything to?
Don’t get carried away in religious activities and doctrines. RUN after God! He is your creator and the only one that gives meaning to life. This world will eventually take away everything you have and love. You will lose friends and family. His love is the only thing cannot be lost. That is the only thing that cannot be taken from you- even physical death cannot separate you from the love of God.

Get your priorities in order and think about the things of heaven, not things of earth (Colossian 3:2).
The only thing that will abide in the end is what God thinks about you. Don’t live only for the moment. Keep eternity at the forefront of your mind.

Faith over fear

Remember that there is nothing truly novel about what is going on in the world. This is just a different form of suffering. Jesus has already warned that we will suffer, have trials and tribulations. He has however told us to take heart! He has overcome the world (John 16:33). God is not disengaged from you in your suffering. God is not socially distant from you.

Therefore, let your reaction and decisions be that of faith and not fear. Let us serve as an example to others. Let us continue to show our faith in our Lord Jesus Christ and give reason for the hope and joy that is in us. Don’t stop praying for yourself, family, friends, community and the world. Jesus asks us to keep seeking, knocking and praying. Even during Job’s suffering, he kept praying and seeking God.

Put your trust in the God who created you. He is the alpha and the omega. He sees and knows the end from the beginning. We have a God who came to suffer on this earth unjustly. He has felt every single thing you have felt or will ever feel.

Suffering can humble us and draw us closer to God. Sometimes the plan that God has for us becomes clearer during our darkest moments. God always brings greater glory from suffering. If God still cares for the birds, He will definitely care for you.

Practice gratitude to God for everything that is working.

Rest peacefully in the embrace of God your Father who truly cares for you. He gives us peace that is not like the world’s (John 14:27). He knows everything you need. Stay focused on him and do not be distracted by the noise and fear in the world.

He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”
He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children.

Revelations 21:4-7

“Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him show him my salvation.”
Psalm 91:14-16

Written by Debbie Afolabi for Believers4ever