No, No, No! Not Again?

With the new strain of coronavirus referred to as the delta variant that is surging by leaps and bounds, some may be saying, no, no, no! Not again? We’ve had enough. What’s happening?

It brings back 2020 which will long be remembered as a very sad, dismal, and disastrous year. Millions were infected, hospitalized, and died as a result of COVID-19. No one in living memory ever saw, experienced, or anticipated anything quite like this. This dreaded disease respects no one—not the young, not the old; everyone is vulnerable. 

While the gloom and doom persisted in 2020, scientists were able to develop a vaccine in record time that proved effective in reducing the number of infections. This vaccine actually sparked optimism that there’s light at the end of the pandemic tunnel.

With the advent of the vaccine, infection rates began slowing. The trend continued for quite a while until most precautionary measures such as lockdowns, mask wearing, social distancing, etc. were lifted. 

As people began settling in their comfort zones once again, the delta variant began    spreading. And at a time when nurses are in short supply and a strong demand for hospital equipment and stay. 

Some are wondering whether this situation will be as serious as 2020 with lockdowns, shelter in place, masks, and social distancing. That’s left to be seen as nobody knows for certain.

What is certain is that everyone is at risk. Everyone is vulnerable. Perhaps many are nervous and worried, especially since the disease is so contagious and deadly.      

What is also certain is the brevity and uncertainty of life as we know it. Tomorrow is not guaranteed, it doesn’t belong to mortal man. No one can accurately predict the future. The Bible says, “You do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a  mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes” (James 4:14). 

King David said to God, “Behold, you have made my days a few handbreadths, and my lifetime is as nothing before you. Surely all mankind stands as a mere breath!” (Psalm 39:5). A handbreadth is the equivalent to four fingers. 

The Scriptures refer to man’s life as a mist and a breath. Scripture does not specifically mention coronavirus by name. However, pestilences are mentioned. A definition of a pestilence is “any infectious, fatal disease that is widespread.” Coronavirus definitely fits this category. 

Perhaps the disaster brought on by the coronavirus could be a wake-up call for Christians to be alert of the uncertainty of the times we are living in. The “rapture of the Church” when Christians will be taken out of the world by Jesus Christ’s at His return, could occur at any moment; no one knows for certain. Christians are enjoined to be watchful. The Lord Jesus spoke this about His second advent, “But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only.” (Matthew 24:36).

Christ is the object of the Christian’s expectation. The Scripture says, “But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself” (Philippians 3:20,21).

Christians and non-christians are citizens of the country they live in. However, in the context, the Christian’s citizenship is in heaven means that believers in Christ ought to be “heavenly-minded” people because our allegiance is to a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ who is in heaven. And He will come for us from heaven.

The key in these pandemic times and beyond, is our faith and hope in the Lord, which will allay all our fears. The Bible says, “We who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us. We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek” (Hebrews 6:18-20).

Rather than allowing worry and despair to preoccupy your minds, turn the situation over to God and prayerfully allow Him to have His way and deliver you. God is able to do exceeding abundantly above all we ask or think. The Christian’s hope is the sure and steadfast anchor of the soul .

“In the storms and trials of life this hope serves as an anchor of the soul.” Writes William MacDonald. “The anchor is not cast in the shifting sands of this world but takes hold in the heavenly sanctuary. Since our hope is the anchor, the meaning is that our hope is secured in God’s very Presence behind the veil. Just as sure as the anchor is there, we shall be there also.

“Jesus has gone into the inner shrine also as our forerunner. His presence there insures the  ultimate entrance of all who belong to Him” (Believer’s Bible Commentary, p. 2176 & 2177).