Coronavirus a wakeup call to repentance

Most of what we experience today is as a result of disobedience. The word of God says in 2 Chronicles 7:14; 'if my people who are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land'.

Notice how many prayers are going up at this time, and yet it seem as if they are just bouncing back. The promises of God are most times conditional. Based on this text, first we need to humble ourselves, pray and seek God’s face and turn from our wicked ways. It is then that God will do his part: Hear from heaven, forgive our sins and heal our land. It does not get any simpler than this.

I believe it’s high time for the church to rise up and let their voices be heard and their presence felt. Just the same manner in which we are getting media briefings around the clock, we need to see some of the church leaders standing on the word of God and coming forward visibly around the clock and praying intermittently. They need to appeal to the nations to turn from their wicked ways. We are looking to the wrong source to fight this pandemic. God is still in the business of working miracles. He specializes in things thought impossible. The problem with the world is that too many persons are focusing on the problem (what the devil is doing). I have learnt that whoever we choose to focus on in a spiritual context will show us what they are able to do. What about what God can do, and is doing? Some of us are so on point with the latest bulletins and forwarding the WhatsApp messages of doom and gloom that only evokes more trepidation. Just the same way we try to adhere to media bulletins and guidelines to sanitize, wear masks and practice social distancing, more than ever, we need to adhere to the word of God. When we do the opposite of what God says, we will always have problems, like back in the Garden of Eden.

We are looking to man to solve a problem that only God can solve. The prime minister or the minister of health cannot fix coronavirus. This is bigger than man, but not bigger than God. I strongly believe that this pandemic is a wakeup call for everyone. There is some amount of good that can come out of this. There are some persons who wouldn’t normally call upon God, and are doing so now, even right there on their sick bed. The devil meant for it to populate hell, but as Christians we have to stand united and militantly, and ensure that heaven is being populated as well. Some persons in the secular world who normally attend parties and other sessions are still finding other creative means online to enjoy and entertain themselves. Nothing is wrong with enjoying and entertaining yourself the right way. There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death (Proverbs 14:12 KJV). I appeal to you, to turn. Take a look at your life and see how you live because hell is real.

On the matter of hell. I wish more church leaders would spend more time preaching about the realities of hell. The signs of the time are pointing to the coming of God. God is a God of love, mercy and compassion. He knows we are frail. Let us look to Him for deliverance and the healing of our land. If we try to change our ways and live as God commands us, then there would not need to fear, because fear is sin. Look at life this way, whether coronavirus come or not, something would have to take us out of this world. When our heart is right before God, He gives us His peace. “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In this world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33 KJV)

A native of Old Harbour and a Christian at heart, Francene Allwood is an educator and author of the book Only Believe. Send feedback to editorial@oldharbournews.com.