The Day When Jamaica Changed, but God Didn’t

March 10, 2020 will go down in history as the day it was announced that Jamaica had its first case of imported coronavirus. Just a couple hours after the Jamaican minister of health calmly delivered this alarming news, supermarket shelves were emptying of what many deem necessary for their survival.  I must admit the next day I went to the supermarket to buy toilet paper, not actually knowing why I was going to purchase this item as I was not out of it.  However, I was concerned about reports that supply was short around the world. Someone explained to me after that people were buying a lot of toilet paper just in case they had to stay at home for a long time. That is understandable, but as God would have it, I forgot the toilet paper since I was too busy staring at stark shelves that had no rubbing alcohol, alcoholic wipes or hand sanitizers.  I remarked later on one of my social media sites that I was glad I am washed in the blood of Jesus, because there is little else to keep me clean.

Panic had already held a stranglehold globally before the World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 a pandemic, while world leaders searched for a panacea to assuage the fears of their citizens.  Amazing cures of how to stave off the disease, which range from chopped garlic cloves being boiled in water, to gargling with salt water, and drinking overproof white rum three times daily with only a little water if necessary have propagated from nation to nation.  In one country, fourteen people died in a night after drinking high-grade ethanol and methanol in an ill-fated attempt to keep free of the virus. 

A spirit of fear has resulted in a number of irrational behaviors, even in Christian circles.  I have been swamped with voice notes from so-called prophets who claim to speak for God as they pronounce His judgement on humanity through the spread the coronavirus. There are also those who are selfishly playing on people’s fear of this virus to promote their own agenda.  The truth is there is much that is not known about this disease, but this hasn’t taken the Lord by surprise.  Our God goes ahead of us just as He did when He sent Abram into the unknown.  We cannot focus on COVID-19 and take our eyes off the Conquering Lion on Judah.

Yes, Jamaica changed in a matter of moments.  Flights have been restricted from certain nations to this popular tourist destination; our track and field students can’t participate in Penn Relays, or our beloved Boys and Girls Champs; schools and businesses are closed; carnival cancelled; and this country which boasts the record of having the most churches per square mile has been encouraged by the prime minister to close its churches' doors and instead have sermons over the internet.  Nothing is the same, except God, who is the same yesterday, today and forever.  So, in this time of instability, we must stand firm on our solid Rock and make Him our foundation.  Let us not give in to conspiracy theories and rumors, but search for the Truth Himself. 

The best remedy I have found that has been disseminating through the internet is Psalm 91, which states:

For you have made the Lord, my refuge,
Even the Most High, your dwelling place.
No evil will befall you,
Nor will any plague come near your tent.  v. 9-10

God is our refuge and we should abide in His shadow.  Do not get distracted by distorted statistics, which do not tell the whole truth.  At the time of this writing, just over 60,000 coronavirus cases are active, of which over 54,000 are considered mild conditions, while nearly 69,000 have recovered.  Of the approximately 5,000 deaths most have had underlying conditions, which caused complications.  We must exercise vigilance and wisdom, so eat and rest well and do not worry as the Bible repeatedly states.  Instead, be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7