The COVID-19 pandemic has infiltrated us all for the last two months. Thousands of lives have been lost globally, and the economic cost has been crippling.
Australia has been joined by others demanding an enquiry into the origin of the virus, and a universal race for a vaccine is underway so ‘…something like this will never happen again’!
However, while not in any way diminishing the impact of the pandemic, is there a bigger picture we should be seeing?
On one occasion, Jesus was made aware of two disasters in Luke 13:1-5, one man-made (human sacrifice) and the other ‘natural’ (a collapsed tower). Both resulted in the loss of life. His response showed surprising disinterest in both the extent of the victim’s sinfulness and the cause of these tragic events. Rather, Jesus was more concerned with the fact that death (and judgement) will come to all… sooner or later! These events were warnings for all to be prepared!
Similarly, in Matthew 24:6-8, Jesus speaks of wars, famines and earthquakes – all of which have occurred in every generation and claimed countless lives – as the mere birth pangs pointing us to His inevitable second coming and the eternal judgement it will herald.
While we rightly pray for those affected, and a vaccine to combat the corona virus, let us more earnestly pray for this pandemic to awaken sleepy Australians to the truth that there is no refuge from the judgement of Jesus when he returns (Revelation 6:15-17)… but there is refuge in Him!
– Phil Pratt