In a long time, nothing has brought the world together and raised its fears as much as this deadly outbreak. If certain things are not done on time, this could be the biggest threat the world is going to face. Already, pundits are projecting that COVID-19 could lead to a recession and could affect as many as 600 million people globally. It’s evident to everyone that there is danger. This is not a pre doomsday fear-call. It is the reality on the ground as all eyes can see. But the big question is, seeing the visible threat and global panic, is there hope? The answer is yes. There is hope in the Word of God. God’s Word was written to bring us hope in a seemingly hopeless time. As Christians, we are not that surprised at the news. Thousands of years ago, our Master and Savior told us that the world would have different kinds of outbreaks. He prepared our minds, instructing us that no matter how dreadful each of the outbreaks is, it is only but a small part of the major crisis expected in the world. He counseled us to remember that these outbreaks, economic crisis, wars, and threats of wars, are the beginning of the suffering the world would experience. Matt. 24:6-8 give us a clear indication of these sorrows: 6 “And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet”. 7 “For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places”. 8 “All these are the beginning of sorrows”. So, we are not to be surprised, neither should we panic. Jesus told us these things so that we will continue to have peace in Him, even when the world is troubled. John 16:33says “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world”. We can rest assured that as we put our total trust in God and lean not to our own understanding in the mist of this pandemic, God’s unchanging hand will protect our family and every area of our lives. Let’s keep hope alive.
