For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
— John 3:16 (KJV)
Life is full of change. This pandemic has affected lives world-wide. Things in Singapore are also unpredictable. Things got bad, then better, then worse. Will it get better?
These are serious times. Some will be anxious, others will misbehave, some will foolishly hope, and others will bochup and not care.
But how should we react? We must face life with seriousness and humility.
Life is Short
Our life is very short. We only live about 70-80 years. And they’re difficult years. As soon as we’re born, we journey to our deaths.
We can die at any time. Would you seriously consider this? God’s Word in Psalm 90:10 says “The years of our life are seventy, or even by reason of strength eighty; yet their span is but toil and trouble; they are soon gone, and we fly away.”
Life is short, rough, and full of change. The Bible describes our lives like weeds that sprout and are quickly cut down. We’re also like ocean waves that come in and out. We don’t live long. COVID-19 has taught us that there’s no certainty in life. Things keep changing. There’s no certainty in death too. Crematoriums in some countries can't keep up. People are dying too fast! Your life is short. You may die at any time. That’s reality.
God is Eternal
But God, your eternal Creator, never changes. He is the one that keeps you living and breathing. Would you consider Him seriously?
Psalm 90:2,4 - “Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and theworld, from everlasting to everlasting you are God… For a thousand years in your sight are but as yesterday when it is past…”
Before the world was created, God was there. A thousand years are nothing to Him! They are like a few hours to Him. Our lives are even shorter – like the tick of the second hand!
COVID-19 is only one of therecent pandemics - Spanish flu, Asian flu, Russian flu, swine flu, and SARS. The economy will also be affected. In recent history, there were the Great Depression, OPEC stagnation, Asian Contagion, and the Great Recession.
We hope things will improve. Maybe. But there’ll always be some other wave. There is no certainty. Only God never changes. This Creator is also our Judge.
Our Sins Bring Judgement
This pandemic shows God’s judgment and the need to repent of our sins.
Psalm 90:7-8 - “For we are brought to an end by your anger; by your wrath we are dismayed. You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence.”
There are those who suffer and conclude there’s no God. But the Bible wants us to look at suffering and connect it with God’s judgment on sin.
Yes, we are born in sin.
Why is there COVID-19? To remind us to live under the rule of a good and just Creator. Would you consider Him seriosly?
Psalm 90:12 - “So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.”
We’re not better or worse than those who died. We just happen to live in safer Singapore. But we’re not immune. Even if we survive this, we will still pass on one day. That is an undeniable fact. After we die, we will face God’s eternal judgment. No one escapes this. And God sees all our sins, even secret ones! And we will pay for our sins.
Humility Brings Mercy
God removes judgment from those who humbly admit their sins and cry to Him for mercy.
Psalm 90:13-14 - “Return, O LORD! How long? Have pity on your servants! Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.”
If judgment is coming, would we not cry for mercy now? God sends trouble to awaken fear of His eternal judgment. There’s hope. God has given a way out - a substitute to take our judgment. He has sent Jesus Christ, His only Son, to die, in place of sinners. He died on the cross, so that those who repent and believe in Him as God’s way out, shall have eternal life.
John 3:16 - “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”
This life is short - filled with changes and sorrows. We might even die of COVID-19. We will certainly die one day. But only Jesus delivers us from our sorrows and the judgment to come. Your life is short.
Would you turn to God through Jesus Christ?
FERC