The three waves of Covid-19 have brought a lot
of worry to the world. With much fear, the world’s citizenry wonders how many
more waves are still to come, and to what magnitude will their depredation be?
Just when the medical fraternity was about to get its grip around the first wave, the second wave docked the shore like the Tsunami. The fight heightened with much research which led to the birth of the vaccine. Unfortunately, no sooner had the vaccine begun its circulation, than the third wave, dubbed Covid-Delta-Virus, mirages at the horizon more venomous.
Like a viper, the covid-19 third wave left India, and South Africa exasperated. From a distance we watch our friends die like insects. Although we were sorry for them, we underestimated its ability to cross the borders. But it finally made its way to Zambia and has now plundered us like a slasher through twigs. We too are now dying and it is worrisome. The hospitals, the mortuaries, and the cemeteries are filled to near capacity. Death from covid-19 has not only become a headline but the stench of our community- physically and virtually.
Friends, covid-19 is so real and extremely bigger than all of us put together. Even the conspiracy theorists and prophets have vanished, and are now numbered among its victims. Our government is worried as there are no resources and infrastructure enough to meet the health demands. Families are worried as there is very little that is being achieved within the home. Even the most treasured unconventional medications and treatments are failing. And not forgetting, the already vaccinated are worried too, as the possibility of infection has not been absconded. Everybody is worried!
But before we are expended by worry and lose hope and think we have lost the fight, there is one who is our refuge, strength, and fortress; a very present help in times of trouble. God, the Lord Jesus! For even behind this frowning providence called covid-19 He smiles. He promises to never leave us nor forsake us. In his famous sermon on the mount (Matt 5-7), the Lord Jesus comforted his hearers by admonishing them from walking around with worried faces. He said “…do not worry about your life…(Matt 6:25)” why? Because worry simply consumes the soul, drains the heart’s peace and joy, and suffocates the mind with the fear for tomorrow. Worry can never add a single hour to one’s span of life (Matt 6:27).
Therefore, though evil, devastating, and wrecking covid-19 can and has been to our world, believers in the Lord Jesus must not worry. While we are encircled not only with fear but sickness and death itself, our Lord Jesus Christ, in His Word, has lovingly admonished us to have faith in him. Observe below three elements of our Lord’s comfort:
First, God is still on the throne and in control. Our covid-19 situation has by no means caught Him unaware. We may neither like it nor comprehend it, truth be told, covid-19 is working for God’s glory. As painful thought as that may be, especially if you have experienced the death of a loved one, it is still within what God is doing. He says “Be still and know that I am God.” (Psalms 46:10).
Second, God has promised that He will take care of all our tomorrow. Worry can do nothing about tomorrow. The Lord Jesus said, “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things... (Matt 6:34)”. Consequently, he who brought us forth today, will carry and care for us in the tomorrow. Is this an invitation to careless living? No! it is an encouragement to Look to the God of yesterday, today and tomorrow. As He was our God on the mountain, he is still our God and defender even in the valley. In both good times and hard times, He is still God!
And last, if we turn to Him in prayer, God has promised us his peace to guard our hearts and minds. In Phil 4:6-7 Paul wrote, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus). He is not saying he will take away the situation (Which of course God is able if he chooses to), rather he will make us endure the situation with peace and a sound mind. While illness and death are in the air, we can smile at the storm.
As with everybody, I too feel the pain covid-19 has brought to our world and lives. It has robbed us of our loved ones, our harmony, our fellowship, our mental tranquility, and many other things. This worries the heart. But why worry, when worry itself can do nothing but increase our torment? Instead, let us turn to the Lord Jesus. Though covid-19 and its embezzle will be with us for some time, The Lord Jesus and the comfort of his word and presence is all we need. Thus, if you are a believer in the Lord Jesus, I encourage you not to worry.
