How should we respond to the Wuhan virus?
Watch and pray (Matt 26:41; Eph 6:18; Col 4:2).
This is a time to turn to the Lord and seek His face (2 Chron 7:14; Dan 9:3-19). Let’s confess our sins and the sins of our people to the Lord. We live in a fallen world. We contribute to this fallen state. The world is filled with greed, covetousness, lust, love of pleasure, idolatry, pride, envy. We need to call upon the Lord to show His mercy toward us and stop the spread of this virus (Num16:47-50). God is looking for His people to stand in the gap and intercede for the people (Ezek 22:30; Isa 59:16; Ps 106:23). God’s people should be shaken to become more prayerful. We should pray that during this time, men would call upon the name of the Lord.
Understand the times through the Bible (1 Chron 12:32; Rev 1:19).
God’s plan for the world is revealed through His Word. God speaks through His Word. Everything we need to know for our salvation and our lives are explained clearly in His Word. To understand what is happening in our lives and in the world, we need to turn to the Bible. We place one ear to God’s Word and the other ear to learn what is happening in the world. Another way to put it is to hold the Bible in one hand and the newspaper in the other. We need not be surprised by all the bad things happening in this world. The Bible warns us about them (Job 14:1; Eccl 1:1; John 16:33).
Sickness is a general result of sin, and sickness leads to death. Not all sicknesses are the result of one’s sin (John 9:3), though some sins lead to sickness and death (1 Cor 5:5; 11:30; 1 John 5:16). Pestilences in the biblical history have been used by God to judge peoples. Since nothing happens by chance, we can say that God allows this virus to occur. We do not know the exact reason(s). Only He knows. But we know that this virus is a wake-up call to the world to turn from our wayward ways and turn to Him for salvation.
Hope in God (Isa 40:31; 43:1-2; Rom 15:13; Ps 25:5; 31:24; 42:11; 147:11).
In the midst of these challenging and uncertain times, when we do not know if we will become the next victim, or when the virus will stop spreading, we can only cling on to God. He is our only sure hope. Whatever might happen to us, He will be with us. He will protect our souls (Matt 10:28). He will take care of us and our families. Above all, He is our salvation. We trust in Him and His works (Rom 8:28). He has the best in store for us ultimately. We must remain faithful to Him and believe Him.
Answer every man a reason for the hope in you (1 Pet 3:15; Acts 1:8).
This is a good opportunity to share our hope in Jesus with our friends. Jesus came to free us from the fear of death (Heb 2:15) and yes, He has the power to deliver us from death and hell (1 Cor 15:55-57). Because He conquered death Himself. No one could do this. This is the hope we have in Christ. Not everyone has this hope. Many fear death, though they are embarrassed to say it. Imagine, if a doctor has the cure for the coronavirus but fails to treat his patients with it. What would you think of him? Woe to us if we do not share the Gospel (1 Cor 9:16).
Nearer to God (Prov 4:18; Phil 3:20; Heb 11:10, 16; Rev 21; Ps 73:25; Jas 4:14; Ps 90:10; 102:3; 144:4).
The increasing number of deaths reminds us of the fact of our mortality. We only have one life and it will soon be passed. Life is very, very short compared with eternity in heaven. Each day brings us nearer to our final destination, heaven, and to God. This thought should bring joy to our hearts if we set our affections on things above (Col 3:2). We can say with Paul that death is gain (Phil 1:21). Our desire should be to see Jesus face to face one day in heaven. Even if we were to die, our death should glorify Him. “From life’s first cry to final breath, Jesus commands my destiny” (Getty). “Only one life, t’will soon be past. Only what’s done for Christ (or what Christ does through us) will last” (C T Studd, italics mine).