COVID-19, April 3, 2020

Dear Church Family,

Sometime this afternoon, our Premier is going to address us and share data from models predicting the rate and spread of infection from the novel coronavirus.  He has warned reporters that the data will be “stark.”

We can only wonder about his rationale for doing this. I don’t expect the news will instill much hope in us and it certainly won’t alleviate any fears.  But on the other hand, maybe there are some who still need to hear the message that this is serious, that lives will be lost and that we can do our part to make things better.

Makes sense.  We need to read our Bibles in the same way.  God is terribly angry about sin.  Hell is real. Eternal damnation is no joke. Jesus warns that if we disown him before others, Jesus will disown us before our Father in heaven (Matthew 10:33).  If you do not forgive others, God will not forgive you (Matthew 6:15).  Anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgement, and anyone who calls someone a fool will be in danger of the fire of hell (Matthew 5:22).  This language should instill fear in our hearts.

Our fears are real. But our fear shouldn’t paralyze us or cause us to despair. Instead, our fear should send us into the arms of the One who tells us over and over again, “do not be afraid.” There are lots of verses in the Bible where God tells us not to fear.  I leave you with this one, Isaiah 41:10:  “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Pastor Rita