Rev.  Alan Lee

Since the outbreak of the coronavirus, the world has been gripped with fear. International travels halted. Conferences cancelled.  Borders closed. In times of extreme fear, people react with extreme measures. Some people stockpile facemasks. Some steal and reuse old facemasks. Some even put clear plastic bottles on their heads to protect themselves! How should we respond in this time of crisis?

When we survey the Old Testament, plagues broke out at least three times in Israel’s history:

1. Korah and company attacked and accused Moses (Numbers 16 – verbal accusation, curses put on leaders) 
2. The Israelites indulged in idolatry and sexual immorality with Moabite women (Numbers 25)
3. David took a census of Israel and Judah (2 Samuel 24 – pride)

We need to stand in the gap and ask God for forgiveness over our verbal curses and accusations on our leaders, sexual immorality, idolatry and pride that may have brought upon this plague.

Let us replace the fear of coronavirus with the “fear of the Lord!”  This is our best defense against the virus!

“And Moses said to the people, ‘Do not fear; for God has come to test you, and that His fear may be before you, so that you may not sin.’”  Exodus 20:20

If we have the fear of God in our hearts, we will not sin against Him.  He has given us this great promise in Exodus 15:26:

He said, “If you listen carefully to the Lord your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, who heals you.”

Let us choose the “right” fear for God is our refuge, our strength and our Healer!

 Reflections:

1. What are you fearful of today?   Does fear paralyze you?
2. How do you practice the “fear of God” in your daily life?