First things first. Immediately below is some information that I found on the World Health Organization website. It’s basic but it gives you an idea about what this covid-19 worldwide fiasco is all about.
People may be sick with the virus for 1 to 14 days before developing symptoms. The most common symptoms of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) are fever, tiredness, and dry cough. Most people (about 80%) recover from the disease without needing special treatment.
More rarely, the disease can be serious and even fatal. Older people, and people with other medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease), may be more vulnerable to becoming – -severely ill.
People may experience:
- cough
- fever
- tiredness
- difficulty breathing (severe cases)
I think you have an idea now. But please note that I am not here to give you survival medical tips on the coronavirus. That is not my domain but let’s leave that to competent medical professionals, right? Great.
In today’s post, our foundation scripture is Matthew 7: 24-28.
"Therefore, everyone who hears what I say and obeys it will be like a wise person who built a house on rock. Rain poured, and floods came. Winds blew and beat against that house. But it did not collapse, because its foundation was on rock.
Everyone who hears what I say but doesn't obey it will be like a foolish person who built a house on sand. Rain poured, and floods came. Winds blew and struck that house. It collapsed, and the result was a total disaster. When Jesus finished this speech, the crowds were amazed at his teachings".
Matthew 7:24-28
In this scripture, Jesus talks about building wisely on the rock and foolishly on the sand.
“Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock….”.
The key here is about hearing the teachings and obeying them. The question is: Are you building your life founded on the Rock?
These last few months and weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic have exposed us to a whole new way of life.
Did you ever imagine that almost the entire world as we know it could come to a standstill?
Think about this, schools, churches, business places, etc. shut down? This was unimaginable just a few months ago! Yet here it is.
But even more so is another twist to this whole fiasco. We have two ‘P’s in co-existence. One P is what is being termed a pandemic. And the other P is panic!
As a result of these two ‘P’s, we have two kinds of people being exposed. Those who are in Faith and those others who are in Fear. Or let’s say those who have built on the rock and those who built on sand. The fear is more pronounced. Especially the fear of covid-19.
Where are you standing?
During our home Sunday Fellowship yesterday, I shared about us believers being relevant in these perilous times. In particular in the wake of coronavirus or covid-19, it’s now a technical name. We have the hope that people are seeking right now. It’s in Jesus.
Romans 8:28 says all things work together for good to those who love the Lord…..
As in Romans 8: 28, we have an opportunity right now as the body of Christ to turn this world scare on its head! We can bring the Gospel of the good news of Christ to a world that is in a pandemic, panic, and fear.
Let’s open our eyes and see the world for what it is today, a huge harvest field ready for the laborers to move in! The church has the laborers. And it is those who are in faith. Those who have built their lives on the teachings of Christ and continue to obey these teachings.
As believers, we cannot be like people of the world living in fear of covid-19! This is the time to shine the light of hope in Christ. Let the world see and hear about this hope we have.
If we have truly founded our lives on Christ the Rock, then we are laborers equal to the task of bringing the message of good news in a time such as this. Covid-19 should not be a hindrance.
When I analyze most of the online groups that I belong to, the majority claim to be Jesus’ followers. But, I am saddened to see that the majority of messages being shared, (especially on covid-19) on these groups do not inspire faith but rather go to instill more fear instead. Just as the rest of the world is doing.
Believers are meant to inspire faith, confidence, and hope. But alas! Even the believers have conformed to the patterns of this world! Romans 12: 2.
The scripture in Matthew 7:24 says, “…and the rain came, the wind blew..” and the house did not fall. Why? Because it had it’s foundation on the rock where all of us who claim to be Jesus’ followers are supposed to be.
If our faith is in Christ the rock, we will inspire faith and give hope and ensure to share it with those in panic and fear. On the other hand, most of what we are witnessing is verse Matthew 7:27, “… Rain poured, and floods came. Winds blew and struck that house. It collapsed, and the result was a total disaster.”
You will agree with me that’s the scenario in most parts of the world. Disaster is everywhere according to the info spewing out of the news channels all over on this covid-19. More new cases. More deaths. Where will it end? Yet the Bible tells us that we are more than conquerors! Yes those of us who have built on the rock. That’s who we are.
As I conclude, I want to encourage all of us today to soberly examine our foundation. Are we standing on Christ the Rock or have we built on the shaky sinking sand?
Have we conformed to the patterns of this world? It’s time to renew our minds and get back to building our lives on the Rock.
I pray that the Holy Spirit will speak to us all this week about building on the foundation of the Rock.
Yeah, once again, let’s take advantage of the time and get to work in the huge Harvest field which is ready right before our very eyes. But this will only be possible if we are standing on Christ the Rock!
So, my dear visitor now you know where you ought to be. I assure you that as long as you continue to obey the teachings of Christ no harm will come near you. A thousand may fall on your side and ten thousand on your right hand, but I prophesy to you that your Lord and Savior will continue to protect you. Psalm 91. Go check it out.
Do you need help establishing yourself on the Rock but don’t know how? I am right here. Get in touch right here. Do you want to chat directly? Do it here; Skype: joe_thewordsmith.
You may also sign up here to receive regular post updates. The updates are twice weekly. Straight into your Inbox. Never miss a thing! And yes, we don’t overwhelm you with unnecessary stuff. Only pure teaching tips and posts on everyday Christian living.
Stay Blessed and Inspired this week. Fear Not!
Stay in Faith. Remember Jesus Loves You.
