<2 Samuel 24:1,3-4,10,13-16>

Many ask, where is God? Why did He permit this epidemic to harm so many people? We see in the news that over 70000 people in China are infected by this COVID-19 virus. A lot of people want to find out the root cause of it. When men are faced with problems, they will keep wanting to find answers and explanation to get liberation. We know that in our limited human nature, when troubles come, we tend to focus on the issue or find the blame. But when there is no revelation of God, we will only look at the physical level. However, God has a spiritual dimension that He wants to reveal to us. We, Christians, cannot understand this virus based on what is said by the masses, but what the Bible says. To test and approve God’s will and have a transcending understanding.

Let us not fall into a boastful, proud spirit: When our physical condition get better, we tend to forget about God’s providence and stop relying on Him.

There is relation to the sins of men: When plagues and disease come, we tend to relate it to men’s sins. We may ask, whose sin is it? But, it is not the sin of a particular person, but the weaknesses of the masses and churches. Men being self satisfied, reliance on sciences, loving the World, pursuing success, secular idols. But no matter what, God will not allow the people whom He loves to remain this way. God will tear down, He will also rebuilt. He will strike, but He will also heal.

God has abundant mercy: The church must first renew, reflect, and believers must first turn back to God to examine our faith. But do not pull ourselves into self blame or self pity. Our repentance must include God’s promises and His mercies. Our God has an abundance of mercy. Therefore, He will not rebuke for long.

If through this, churches rise up in faith, God will not let this epidemic deteriorate beyond. If we let the news of the world affect us, we cannot receive the conviction of the spirit. But if we know matters of God, we will know that when people of God humble down, put down our worldly desires, return to His complete gospel and follow God, He will bring about different forms of deliverance and healing works.

What we have to do, while we are interceding for the world and the churches, is to humble down and ask ourselves: did we obey and live by the word of God? We must remember, our Lord is a God full of love and mercy. When mankind falls into sin, He has already prepared salvation. Right at where we fall, God reveals His redemption.

As we see the development of the epidemic, let us not get absorbed and fearful. Some may suggest the delaying of having our church service resuming this coming Sunday, but let us come back to the word of God. What is God doing right now? What would God want us to do?
Perhaps the Lord wants us to value our church meetings and drive out the spirit of lukewarmness we may have been having all these while. Perhaps God wants us to restore Church-centered living, and not merely being overly concerned with matters of our own lives. Perhaps God wants us to testify our faith even more boldly to those around us.

Prayers 
And to our brethren in China: it is where the problem starts, that at the very same place, God’s people will be awaken and God’s mercy is revealed. We pray that there will be great revival in China. The pulpit will be renewed, the believers will come before God and understand the word which they believed in and follow after Him. A fire will be rekindled and the gospel will be spread beyond China.

And for those of us who have heard these messages, remember that as the plague continues, we call out to God and He will show His mercy. The churches must rise up and testify for God. Let us not be discouraged, but be renewed in our mind and transformed because of this epidemic. As we experience this together, we can then advance this gospel hand in hand.