1. We are not in control.

Psalm 115:3 says, "But our God is in the heavens; He does whatever He pleases." So often we want to be in control and do things our way. If we had it our way, we would not have this virus spreading throughout the world. But we have no control over it. People young and old are dying from it and all we can do is pray that we are not affected by it. This virus is a good reminder for us that we are not in control.

2. Death is a reality.

Romans 6:23 says, "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." We live in a time where people are not exposed to death. We have a healthcare system and doctors who are the best in world. We have access to medicine at pretty much any store we go to. All we want to do is prolong life and we keep death at a distance. The college students who went out on Spring break were a perfect example. Many thought they were too young to get COVID-19, but we are now finding out that people of all ages are getting it. Death is a reality because sin is a reality. This ought to help us put life into perspective and realize what things are really important. The Lord numbers our days, but we don't know when the last day is. We must always be ready.

3. We can't control the future.

Proverbs 27:1 says, "Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth." No one thought that in the year 2020 a virus, of all things, would have our nation in such an upheaval. We have the best healthcare in the world, yet one virus has caused our nation to stop. And what will tomorrow bring? No one knows. When will we be able to get out of our homes and back to normal life? No one knows. They keep telling us a date, but that date seems to keep changing. We long to get back to normal life, but what then will the next thing be that stops America? We don't know. However, as believers we know that the future is in God's hands. We know that we have a future inheritance because of what Christ has done for us on the cross (1 Peter 1:3-4). 

4. The effects of sin are far reaching.

Romans 5:12 says, "Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, ans so death spread to all men, because all sinned." This virus is a result of sin. The reason we have disease and death in our world is because of sin. As we are finding out daily, all people are susceptible to this virus. No one is immune. And this reminds us of the effects of sin. Not only has death spread to all men because of sin, but the very sin we commit impacts others around us. Unlike the virus, we have a cure for sin. His name is Jesus! We need live lives of obedience to Him and repent of our sin daily. 

5. We can't trust in man.

Psalm 118:8 says, "It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man." There is nothing that man can do to heal the hundreds of thousands of people with the virus. People are dying every day because there is no cure yet. This is not to take away from the doctors and nurses who are risking their lives to treat the sick. We are grateful for them and all they are doing to help the helpless. However, our trust is not in doctors. Our trust must be in God alone. He is in control and we must look to Him to our help and our protector. 

6. People are hurting and need hope.

Jesus says in Matthew 11:28, "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest." Every night on the news, there are people who are weeping over the death of loved ones. People are hurting and in fear. There is fear amongst citizens and nurses who are afraid of getting the virus. One nurse quit her job because of fear of getting the virus. These people are broken and need someone to comfort them. We know where they can find that comfort. We have that hope that they so desperately need. We can point them to Jesus who said He will give them rest for their souls. We can show love and comfort to those who are in fear by pointing them to the One who died for sinners, rose from the grave, and offers the hope of eternal life.  

7. Jesus is the only answer.

Jesus said in John 14:6, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me." As we know, the wages of our sin is death. Death is a reality with or without a virus. Everyone of us is headed to the grave because of our sin and after that comes judgment. You will either spend eternity apart from God in hell or with Him in heaven. The only way to have eternal life with God in heaven is through faith in His Son, Jesus who came to this earth, lived a perfect life, died to pay for sin, and rose again to conquer sin and death. All other ways lead to eternal damnation in hell. Turn from your sin and place your trust in Jesus alone for the forgiveness of your sin. When you do this, you will receive the free gift of eternal salvation (Eph. 2:8). Jesus is the only answer!