COVID-19: Fear not!

By Tope Banso
“For the thing I greatly feared has come upon me, and what I dreaded has happened to me” (Job 3:25 New King James version).
At this period of Covid-19 pandemic, what the devil wants to do is to torment you with fear. He wants you to be panic-striken. The Bible says fear has torment (1John 4:18). The devil wants you to believe that you will be infected or has even been infected because of one symptom or the other!
Faith and fear don’t go together. It’s been said that fear is negative faith. Faith is not the same as foolishness; neither is it the same as presumption. This period, you need to have faith. If you’re a child of God, don’t forget, the Bible says the just shall live by faith (Romans 1:17; Galatians 3:11; Hebrews 10:38). You must live by your faith (Habakkuk 2:4).
God doesn’t want you to live in fear. Someone said fear is False Evidence Appearing Real. The fear of the ravaging virus could even be deadlier than the virus itself. Follow all the precautions the experts have given to avoid being infected, but don’t live in fear. Someone can follow all the precautions and still be tormented every time by the fear of being infected such that he falls ill. He may even manifest false symptoms of the disease!
Faith does not mean that you live carelessly because God is your protection. Faith doesn’t test God. Faith does not deny the reality of the virus; faith does not expose itself to the possibility of infection. Rather, someone who is walking in faith believes that while the virus is real, God is able to protect him in the midst of this pandemic.
Someone working in faith believes the promises of God are superior to the existent of the virus. He believes that the power of God is far above that of the virus. He follows all the precautions but also believes that God will not allow any plague to come near his dwelling (Psalm 91:10). He believes that a thousand may fall at his side, and ten thousand at his right hand; but it shall not come near him. He also believes that only with his eyes he shall look and see the reward of the wicked (verses 7-8).
If you’re walking in faith, you won’t live in the fear of death because you know that Jesus, through His death, has destroyed the devil who had the power of death and released those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage (Hebrews 2:14-15).
Fear not! Job said, “For the thing I greatly feared has come upon me, and what I dreaded has happened to me” (Job 3:25 New King James version). What Job feared became a reality. This same Job, the Bible says was blameless and upright, and one who feared God and shunned evil (Job 1:1). But he had some fears. Unfortunately, what he feared happened to him. Calamities befell him. He said, “I am not at ease, nor am I quiet; I have no rest, for trouble comes” (Job 3:26 New King James Version). Fear not!
God never tells His children to fear. He always says to fear not. He told Abram, “Fear not, Abram. I am thy shield, (and) thy exceeding great reward” (Genesis 15:1 American Standard Version). The angel of the LORD told Hagar, “Fear not. For God hath heard the voice of the lad where he is” (Genesis 21:17 American Standard Version).
God assured Israel repeatedly to fear not (Isaiah 41:10,13, 14; 43:1, 5; 44:2). You may be in self-isolation or in your house because of a stay-at-home order or because your city or nation is on lockdown. Fear not; be glad; rejoice. The LORD shall do a marvelous thing for you (Joel 2:21). He will save you; He will deliver you. Fear not: your King is coming (John 12:15).
Fear not! Don’t be careless; but don’t be held in bondage by the fear of this virus. Some people actually fear Coronavirus more than they fear Jesus, more than they fear God! Jesus said, “And I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him!” (Luke 12:4-5 New King James Version).
Fear not Covid-19, but don’t be ignorant of its devices! Have faith in God. Jesus told His disciples in Mark 11:22, “Have faith in God.” He said further in Luke 17:6, “If you have faith as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be pulled up by the roots and be planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you” (New King James Version).
To have faith in God means to put your trust in God. It means to believe that God will do what He says He will do. It also means to believe that God won’t fail you. Have faith in God. Romans 10:17 tells us that faith comes by hearing and by hearing the Word of God. Therefore, feed on the Word of God even in the midst of this pandemic. Don’t feed your fear; feed your faith. This will cause your faith to flourish like the faith of the Thessalonians did (2 Thessalonians 1:3a).
This period, let the Word of God dwell in you richly (Colossians 3:16a). Fill your heart with the words of faith, not words of fear. Faith speaks (2 Corinthians 4:13). Speak words of faith, not words of fear or unhelpful words. Confess the Word of God. From the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks (Matthew 12:34). By your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned (verse 37).
Your faith in God is your victory. “Our faith is the victory that overcomes the world” (1 John 5:4b International Standard Version). Have faith in God and keep feeding your faith. “But you, beloved, build yourselves up [founded] on your most holy faith [make progress, rise like an edifice higher and higher], praying in the Holy Spirit” (Jude 20 Amplified Bible). Your faith will make you healthy (Matthew 9:22; Mark 5:34, 10:52; Luke 8:48, 17:19). Fear not! Again I say, fear not!
If you’re not born again, repent of your sins today and accept Jesus as your Lord and Saviour. Whoever comes to Him, He will by no means cast out.
PRAYER POINT: Father, I shall live by faith, not by fear. By faith, I have victory over Covid-19. I shall not suffer any infection. I shall not die; I shall live and declare the works of God.
This is wisdom for living, and it’s worth sharing. Please share.
(For over 260 in-depth and insightful messages by T. O. Banso, visit: www.cedarministry.org).
▪ Banso, a pastor, heads Cedar Ministry International, Abuja, Nigeria
cedarministryintl@yahoo.com, cedarministryng@gmail.com
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