Firstly, let's pray for our leaders.
Our PM and his national cabinet are under great stress as they grapple with very difficult decisions for the nation.
While there are some of us who will always be looking for a chance to criticise our PM, our Premiers and our First Ministers, most of us would not want to be holding their position at a time like this and would much rather value the support and encouragement of the populous if we did.
So let's appreciate the enormity of their task and support them in it.
First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, requests, and thanksgivings be offered to God for all people;Secondly, let's rebuild our families.
for kings and all others who are in authority, that we may live a quiet and peaceful life with all reverence toward God and with proper conduct.
[1 Timothy 1 : 1, 2 GNB]
Over recent decades, family life has become so fragmented and in some cases, has completely disappeared.
Many homes have become houses - places of residence at best, or unfortunately, postal addresses for overnight accommodation.
With the prospect of community lock-downs staring us in the face comes the opportunity for families to restore family life again.
Parents and children getting to know each other.
Families doing things together.
Relationships inspired by loving and caring.
Be devoted to each other like a loving family. Excel in showing respect for each other.Thirdly, let's show love to each other.
[Romans 12 : 10 GW]
Isabel and I are in the so-called vulnerable age bracket and so have decided to stay at home during this time.
We are blessed to have two sons and their families living close by as well as young neighbours who have offered to shop for us (as well as the offer of a beautiful young refugee lady who lives several suburbs away).
To genuinely love others is to want the best for them and, wherever possible, to do that best.
So, in addition to loving family as previously mentioned, we could be looking for ways to love our neighbours - those known and unknown to us.
How?
To shop thoughtfully leaving sufficient on the shelves for others.
To offer to shop for those in lock down or self-isolation.
To use our phones and the internet to check up on and keep in contact with friends.
To show appreciation and courtesy to those on the "front lines" - medical, education, transport and customer service people.
Jesus answered, " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.'Fourthly, let's restore our relationship with God.
This is the greatest and the most important commandment.
The second most important commandment is like it: 'Love your neighbor as you love yourself.' "
[Matthew 22 : 37 - 39 GNB]
So many people are being terrorised by the situation we are in.
- the health crisis caused by the importing and sharing of a new rogue virus.
- the economic crisis caused by the virtual total shut-down of business activity and subsequent loss of income.
I think the PM is doing a great job in this unchartered environment although he appears to be following the advice of his medical experts at the expense of his economic ones when a middle course of action might be better for the welfare of the nation in the longer term.
However, I won't get into that here - I am only a physics and mathematics man and these are medical and economic challenges.
For me, both these crises seem to have morphed into one - the crisis of fear.
Decades ago, the majority of Australians had the faith to trust God, no matter what the circumstances.
As a nation, we have lost that.
But God is still God, and is the Master of the universe.
Nothing, not even COVID-19, changes that.
Here is an opportunity to restore that relationship and experience the peace that God can give even in the most trying situation.
And, in any case, even if it is our time to leave this planet, there is much better in store for all of us.
We can trust God for that too.
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.Blessings, Barry
He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil,
for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
[Psalm 23 ESV]
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