Fear not the Coronavirus! Fear God!

Who would have thought that the Coronavirus of 2019, which originated in Wuhan in China, would affect the entire world in 2020! 

Until it was discovered and fatalities reported, businesses went on as usual. But the moment it became a global emergency, all the hand sanitisers and face masks disappeared from the shelves of all stores and pharmacies. Where it was available, a box of 50 was sold for a ridiculous price of $36, the usual being $8 to $10. When I checked online for face masks, I noticed that someone was selling a box of masks for $234 on carousel. In Toa Payoh a lady was seen selling boxes of 50pieces of face masks for $50.00 each.

There are several possibilities. One, quick thinking people or people who were paranoid of catching the virus could have hoarded these items (hand sanitisers and face masks) in their homes for fear of not being able to purchase them later.  Two, the store owners could have kept in their stocks to release them at a higher price when a greater demand arises. Three, some people, wanting to make money using this situation, may have bought many boxes to sell them at a higher price. Four, the government might be controlling the stockpile. Five these might have been shipped over to China where they are in dire need of it now.

Recently, my husband and I went to a part of Indonesia to visit a friend of my husband's. While we were there, we decided to buy a box or two of face masks and a couple of bottles of hand sanitisers. "We will surely be able to get them here. After all, Indonesia is one country which is not affected by the Wuhan virus 'yet' ", we told ourselves. But to our horror all the Apothecaries/Pharmacies we went to, had zero stock of these items. 

Here in Singapore our government is making an effort to ensure that each household gets at least 4 masks to use in case of an emergency. We are told not to use the masks unless we are really unwell. 

This made me think about the future. What if there was a global pandemic, recession and famine? Won't the same scenario happen again? 

During those dark days, quick thinking people will store up food when they hear about a global recession  and shopkeepers will take all that their families need for themselves and they may empty the shelves in order to sell the food items later, at a much higher price. 

Then again, I thought that in case of a global famine or emergency, money will have no value. In those days a bag of rice which costs $8 now may cost $8000. Then, as famine becomes worse money will lose it's value altogether. Even if one offers to pay $8000 for a sack of rice, no one will be willing to sell it. Gold jewelries and branded clothes will be worthless as those will  not be sought after.

I sat down to pray and across my mind flashed a sad scenario. For a moment I was drawn into it. I saw old people, youth and children, sick people, disabled people, mothers with babies clutched against their breasts,  clamouring to buy food items. They held money in their hands and begged the shopkeepers to sell them food but the shopkeepers shook their heads saying there was none left.  Some distraught ones threw the money which they were holding on the floor and began to wail in despair. I saw some begging their neighbours for food and had the doors slammed on their faces. I could hear babies crying and mothers and fathers standing helpless as their loved ones lay dying without food. 

Suddenly I realised that this was just in my mind and gave a huge sigh of relief. Then, I opened the Bible and as my eyes fell on the following verses I realised that what I envisioned was not just in my mind but that it will happen in the future. 

Revelation 6:5-6 ESV

When he opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, "Come!" And I looked, and behold, a black horse! And its rider had a pair of scales in his hand. [6] And I heard what seemed to be a voice in the midst of the four living creatures, saying, "A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius, and do not harm the oil and wine!"

A quart is approximately 

806.40000000001grams. It is less than a kilogram. A denarius in biblical times was a full day's earnings/wages. God already spoke in His Word, the Bible about what is going to happen in the last days. See how the voice says, "do not harm the oil and the wine." Oil and Wine are expensive commodities compared to barley and wheat. The expensive commodities will not be harmed, meaning, they will be plentiful and people will have not much need of them compared to food items to live. Food will be so expensive and people will be giving away their daily earnings just to get a little food. 

What will happen will happen according to God's Word. Jesus tells us not to be afraid of men or what they can do, in the following verses.

Luke 12:5 ESV

But I will warn you whom to fear: fear God Who, after He has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear God!

Here are more verses from the bible which tells us about the benefits of fearing God.

Proverbs 14:26-27 

Those who fear the LORD are secure; He will be a refuge for their children. [27] Fear of the LORD is a life-giving fountain; it offers escape from the snares of death.

Psalm 33:18-19 ESV

Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love, [19] that he may deliver their soul from death and keep them alive in famine.

Psalm 34:7 ESV

The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them.

Therefore, instead of being fearful of the future I must prepare myself for it. What must I do? I must:-

1. truly know and love God.

2. believe in Jesus.

3. repent of my old sinful ways.

4. walk in His way by obeying His commands in His written Word, the Bible. 

Then I will know for sure where I will be if I die in any given moment. I will not be afraid of the future because my future is secure in God's hands. 

Prayer:- Father God, I know that my family and I are held safely in Your loving arms. Help us never lose sight of You but always abide in Jesus and be obedient to Your commands. So that when our time on earth is up, we will see You face to face and live with You to praise You eternally. I pray this in Jesus' mighty name. Amen.

Mary Augustine

03/02/2020