Coronavirus Questions

Several people have been asking questions like:
Are we in the last days?
What is God saying to us through this coronavirus pandemic?

I don't think we are in the last days just yet.
I addressed this question on Tuesday, January 29th 2019 under the heading "Are We in the Last Days?".
You can find that post in the BLOG ARCHIVE.

So, what might God be saying to us right now?

Firstly, he might be reminding us that we are living in an imperfect world that has fallen a long way from God's original design.

Just focusing on Australia and especially the last few months, we have suffered the peak of a prolonged drought, raging floods, fierce bush fires and cyclones, another contagious disease, rampant selfishness and opportunistic crime.

Even though we can't avoid them, we can prepare ourselves to face most of them: we can harvest, store and distribute water, back-burn and clear forest floors, become nationally self-sufficient for essential supplies, and treat each other with respect, love and care.

On a personal level, we can prepare ourselves too: we can rekindle or refresh our relationship to God, our trust in him and our Biblical view of the future - and enjoy the peace this gives us.
I touched on this in connection with the current virus crisis on Tuesday, March 31st 2020 under the heading "COVID-19 Opportunities".

Secondly, he might be reminding us that we are not the big shots we often think we are, but created human beings, fragile, temporary inhabitants of our planet, who must learn how to submit to the Creator and practise being humble to each other.

And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
[Micah 6 : 8  NIV]

Thirdly, he might be reminding us that we are all equal in his sight - all of equal value and all equally in need of a Saviour.

Rich and poor, white and coloured, male and female, young and old: for everyone the supermarket shelves are empty and the medical services strained. Mercedes and Commodores both stand idle in our garages.

The focus is on survival, regardless of who you are: health has become the main game rather than wanting, competing and possessing.

Within just a few days, the whole world has levelled out considerably - we are getting a glimpse of the social equality the Bible teaches.

Rich and poor have this in common: The Lord is the Maker of them all.
[Proverbs 22 : 2  NIV]
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.
[Romans 3 : 23 - 24  NIV]

Fourthly, he might be reminding us to permanently change the way we live: to follow his example of impartiality and his intention to provide for all.

For with God there is no respecting of persons.
Who intends all human beings to be saved and to come to a full knowledge of truth.
[Romans 2 : 11; 1 Timothy 2 : 4  DBH]

Finally, an observation that should make us grateful.
We are so blessed to have a genuine Christian as our current Prime Minister, who regularly prays for the nation and seeks God's guidance as he directs our response to this crisis.
If you missed a recent example, have a look here:

Let's pray and listen carefully to what God might be saying to us -  individually and as a nation.

Blessings, Barry

"Every crisis is an opportunity."