Some disasters in this world are localized, for example the bushfires in Australia, the locusts in Africa, the volcanic eruption in the Philippines, etc. These do not affect other parts of the world as much. But some disasters affect the entire world, like this COVID-19 virus from Wuhan, which caused the World Health Organization (WHO) to declare it as a global health emergency.

Dear friends, when faced with this epidemic, do you feel uneasy? Do you feel afraid? Do you feel helpless, or panicky, or even hopeless?

Every day in the news, the Wuhan coronavirus epidemic grows worse. People from everywhere around the world are scared, not to mention the people in those epidemic areas, such as Wuhan. Some cannot withstand the pressure and begin screaming, some have money but no health so they throw money from upper floors, some feel hopeless and commit suicide.

As we give generously, pray fervently, and hope sincerely for this epidemic to go away, let us reflect on the positive lessons from this disaster.

What important lessons can we learn? There are at least three lessons:

1. Trouble in the world, peace in the Lord
Dear friends, there is one undeniable truth in this world. What is it? Trouble. When trouble comes, I always think of what the Lord Jesus said. He said, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

Jesus himself came into this world, to face the greatest of all troubles, which is to die on the cross for your sins and mine. So he understands our troubles. But he also overcame death in his resurrection, and he has overcome the world, so he can give us peace. Not just peace for this life, but eternal life. Dr Li Wen Liang in Wuhan faced trouble and died, but Jesus has already given him eternal peace. Dear friends, please come before Jesus Christ to receive eternal peace.

2. Trouble for officials, hope in awakening
In times of trouble, government officials bear the greatest burden.

People are scared, but so are the officials! On the surface they pretend that nothing is wrong, but they face many pressures and criticisms. Their hearts are full of distress that they can never express.

Even I, who am not a government official, received a phone call scolding me yesterday: “You’re the president and leader, why are you not taking any action to help Wuhan? Is the church out of touch with society?” I thanked this brother’s “scolding” which awakened me to immediately ask the Board of Social Concerns to take concrete actions. The Board also immediately called upon churches to donate, so that through the organization CREST, healthcare workers in Wuhan would obtain facemasks, to bring them a little hope.

Dear officials, when faced with all kinds of pressure and criticism, you must be awakened too, to quickly, transparently, and openly deal with the disaster. Then you will bring hope to people.

Suffering for patients, hope in repentance Dear friends, illness is a painful thing. No one likes being sick. But in this world, illness is unavoidable. Death is even more unavoidable. And death is not the end either. The Bible says, “Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment” (Hebrews 9: 27). The troubles of this world may one day pass, the coronavirus will one day disappear, the bushfires will one day end. But as for the “virus” and fire in hell that Jesus spoke of: “Where the worms that eat them do not die, and the fire is not quenched.” (Mark 9:48) Earthly troubles are actually a preview of the eternal troubles in hell.

Troubles on earth are also God’s warning to those of us who are still alive, telling us to repent quickly. As “Narnia” author and English philosopher CS Lewis said:

“God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our consciences, but shouts in our pains. It is his megaphone to rouse a deaf world.”

Dear friends, please repent and believe in Jesus, because only he can bring hope, to rescue you from suffering into eternal peace. Please do not go from earthly suffering into eternal suffering!

Dear brothers and sisters and friends, when we face epidemics or any trouble, we must trust in the Lord Jesus. Jesus gives you peace, the Holy Spirit gives you courage, the Father gives you help. There is no need for panic, no need for hopelessness.

Rev Dr Tie King Tai, SCAC President