Written by: Errol Naidoo
Article source: familypolicyinstitute.com
President Cyril Ramaphosa has taken the unprecedented step of announcing South Africa will go into lockdown for 21 days from midnight 26 March 2020. All citizens will be confined to their homes except those providing essential services. Several economic interventions were also announced to provide relief to businesses and employees. These are indeed challenging times.
The global coronavirus pandemic has changed the normal routine of human life within a relatively short space of time. Travel is discouraged and regular social activity severely restricted. Predictably, most people have reacted in fear. Once busy public centers are deserted as citizens avoid social contact at all costs.
Panic buying has forced retailers to impose limits on purchases. A slight cough in a public area can now elicit fearful stares even if you are perfectly healthy. Ordinary people going about their daily lives wearing face masks and latex gloves has quickly become commonplace.
Businesses – especially small and medium enterprises are struggling to stay afloat. South Africa’s already fragile economy is facing severe challenges. Government must find solutions quickly to stem the spread of the virus and simultaneously stimulate a stagnant economy.
This is a good time to earnestly pray for President Cyril Ramaphosa and his cabinet. He needs the wisdom and guidance of God to lead this nation through difficult times. Use these 21 days to fervently pray for South Africa.
In the midst of this global crisis the promises of God take center stage. While world leaders scramble to find solutions to the growing threat of an unseen enemy, the Bible declares God is Sovereign and in control of His creation. In other words, coronavirus did not catch God unawares.
The economic and military powerhouses of Europe has been brought to its knees by a microscopic bacteria. Post Christian Europe has become the epicenter of the pandemic surpassing China for infection rates and deaths. The gods of Europe and the world have fallen – except the God of the Bible.
While the world reels in fear and uncertainty, the eternal words of the King of kings and Lord of lords, Jesus Christ echo through the deserted streets and empty institutions of man’s glory. “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
The Truth is, because Jesus overcame the world so will you and I, despite the current tribulation.
The crisis has also shut down Churches across the world. This may be a blessing in disguise. The grandeur of Church buildings have become an idol to many. Perhaps we have become too comfortable in the building and God is using this crisis to remind His disciples the Church is not a building and of His original Commission – “Go, and make disciples of all nations.”
Christians are now forced to meet in smaller groups – in homes, like the Church in the book of Acts. The faith and simplicity of these early Christians laid the foundations for the New Testament Church. Perhaps the Lord wants His Church to return to the fundamentals of the faith.
Whatever the outcomes of this pandemic – one thing is sure. The will of God will prevail. God is aligning all things with the purpose of His perfect will. What looks like chaos to mankind is His-Story in the making. As a consequence therefore, because God is in control, there is no need to fear.
Ephesians 1:11 declares, “In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the council of His will.”
On Sunday 22 March, Arlene and I joined (perhaps) millions of Christians across the country and the world to pray for an end to the pandemic and healing for those infected. We also prayed for the recovery of our economy. But most of all, we prayed that God’s will be done in this time.
The world faces turmoil and uncertainty. But not the believer. We are the exception. The God we serve is faithful, immovable and sure. And because our God is the same yesterday, today and forever we can offer hope to a hopeless and insecure world.
Your and my faith must remain focused on the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the only hope for a dark and dying world. Jesus is the Light of the world. And this world desperately needs His light right now.
“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
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Date published: 24/03/2020
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Excellent words from Errol. Encouraging, reminding us of the importance of small groups that (as in Acts) keep the Body cared-for and nourished.
Right on Biblical Point Errol. Not for the first time since our Mighty Everlasting God Jehovah created our known universe, our human race faces yet another pandemic, this time it ii called COVID19. Naturally, everyone from the politicians, through the authorities, past the religious leaders, to the health experts, have shared their opinions. And the Christian Church of our Lord Jesus Christ is once again sending mixed, if not confusing messages to a world in dire need of hope and direction in this time of uncertainty and hopelessness. The response from the Church ranges from “these are the last days, death and damnation to those who never believe the Gospel, to let us pray to the Living God to save all of us from yet another clear reminder of our human frailty, and our eternal dependence on the tender mercies, grace and salvation of our creator. God Bless you all. Onwell