On Pandemic (Covid 19)

ON PANDEMIC (COVID-19)

A MEDITATION on Psalm 46:1-11 (NIV)

 

We are in a battle. The enemy is unseen and we don’t know when the next victim will fall. Sad to say that some of our frontliners, namely: the doctors and other medical practitioners are little by little being attacked by the virus through physical contacts with some patients. There are at least 6 Philippine Heart Center doctors tested positive for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) according to Dr. Joel Abanilla, the health facility’s executive. The Philippine Heart Association (PHA) confirmed the death of its former president Dr. Jara, whom it described as “a great father, teacher, mentor, poet, author, singer, colleague, and a friend.” (GMA News Online, March 24, 2020). Covid-19 was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO) on March 11, 2020 pointing to the over 118,000 cases of the coronavirus illness in over 110 countries and territories around the world and the sustained risk of further global spread.

“This is not just a public health crisis, it is a crisis that will touch every sector,” said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO director-general, at a media briefing. “So every sector and every individual must be involved in the fights.” (NewsWeek Magazine, March 12, 2020)

As a response, the Philippine government declared the National Capital Region (NCR) to be under community quarantine. But when the result of the tested positive was doubled, eventually, Luzon wide community quarantine was declared in order to flatten the curb. In other words, this is the best way to prevent the further spread of the virus. Mass gatherings such as weddings, funerals, burial, religious gatherings, etc. have been prohibited so as to maintain social distancing. People are advised to stay at home while the frontliners are treating the spread of the virus. 

Undeniably, there is fear among the people. The community became health conscious. Fruits and vegetables have been the most important diet lately. Fish in the public market increased its price as the demand increased. Everybody tends to be healthy. No one is now talking or admitting to having illness for fear of being admitted to hospital for some cure for if they are tested positive of the virus, sooner or later will be departed from their loved ones and no one is allowed to take care aside from those working in the health centers or hospitals.

But amidst the present crisis stands firm the words from that Rugged Book where we can draw strength to fight depression, stress, and anxiety that leads us to be down hearted. Hear now the encouragement of the Psalmist as we face the battle with an unseen enemy. And as we fight these unseen forces we must be still and know God for in Him we have:

UNBELIEVABLE PEACE. (verses 1-3)

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.

God to be our refuge is to have perfect peace. When we are dwelling in the presence of Him who knows everything about what’s happening now worldwide is an utmost tranquility. The Psalmist encourages us not to fear though the earth gives way. In other words, in the midst of chaos we must learn to be calm for God is our very refuge. When there is a battle and you feel that you are just by the gate of your garrison, there is nothing to worry about. “Mountain Fall into the Heart of the sea”. Mountain is a picture of a stronghold, a firm sanctuary. And what is now the “sanctuary” of people? Their career! May it be their job, profession, livelihood or businesses? Mostly, these are the dwelling places of the people. When people have a job or business where they can accumulate money for living, people tend to be complacent. But what if those “sanctuaries” or “strongholds” will one day fall into the heart of the sea? Sea is a picture of constant change. What if your “mountains” fall into nothingness? We are encouraged to fear not! Simply because God is our refuge. The truth is, God is the real stronghold, the real sanctuary. The whole world now is in the position of unrest due to the pandemic. This is the perfect time to spread the good news. To dwell in the presence of God is to have unbelievable peace.

UNSHAKABLE CONFIDENCE (verses 4-7)

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells. God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day. Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; he lifts his voice, the earth melts. The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.

Now the Psalmist makes mention of a “river”. Jerusalem possessed no literal river but spiritually the river of God’s grace. It is through God’s grace that we can have access to the presence of God. Grace is defined as an unmerited favor. By the sins we committed we are under the wrath of God. But the good news is that according to Saint Paul, when we were still powerless Christ died for the ungodly. Hence, we are given access to the Almighty! Now we have confidence, and our confidence is unshakable because we can draw near now to the holy place where the Most High dwells. In the midst of this pandemic, when people are in turmoil, let’s be still and know God. Let’s enter His gates knowing He is willing and ready to hear our supplications. The God whom we serve never sleeps nor slumber (ps.121:4). God is a very present help. Every morning God’s help is ever ready. What we need is to trust in him. Let’s put our faith in Him who is the author and finisher of it.

UNENDING HOPE (verses: 8-11)

Come and see the works of the Lord, the desolations he has brought on the earth. He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear, he burns the shields with fire. "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.

The transition is noticeable here. The Psalmist looks beyond the present crisis. He shows us the culmination of everything. “Come and see the works of the Lord” seems to invite us to behold that He is and no other is Almighty! He makes the war cease. Friends, time will come that all of these problems we are facing right now will come to an end. The Writer mentions breaking the bow and burning of shields. War will come to an end. The battle with the coronavirus disease will end one day. We all long to that day when our doctors and nurses will be back home to their respective families to be reunited again. Time will come that sweet hugs and kisses will be felt among parents and children. One day we will hear again those wonderful voices of the choir in churches singing the melody of praises to God. It might be gloomy this time as we are facing a worldwide crisis but someday soon the bright shine of the sun will be shining again on the Philippines. Let us not be weary in doing, in helping and praying to each other. We will end this battle with God’s help. Let us hope in Him alone.

Finally, let us learn to be still in God. As we undergo nationwide community quarantine, let us use our time to meditate on God, read His word, compose songs, write a poem or even make an essay about the present situation. One day soon we will all see miracles. We only need to be still and know that He is God.

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President Duterted undergoes testing for Covid 19