Governed by fear?

Exodus 23; Job 41; John 2; 2 Corinthians 1

Yesterday I heard an attack on social media for being part of the widespread fear concerning the coronavirus because much of what is flying around is false news. This is the first verse I read in the Bible this morning:

“You shall not spread a false report. You shall not join hands with a wicked man to be a malicious witness. (Exodus 23:1)

A few minutes later, I read these verses:

You shall serve the Lord your God, and he will bless your bread and your water, and I will take sickness away from among you. None shall miscarry or be barren in your land; I will fulfill the number of your days. I will send my terror before you and will throw into confusion all the people against whom you shall come, and I will make all your enemies turn their backs to you. (Exodus 23:25–27)

This day I will begin to put the dread and fear of you on the peoples who are under the whole heaven, who shall hear the report of you and shall tremble and be in anguish because of you.’ (Deuteronomy 2:25)

Putting this together with the false reports and the panic that is hitting many people (but not all of them) it is obviously wrong to spread false news. The regular media does it. So do terrified people. So do many in social media. Even before that became a reality, I was receiving false information via email. In the early days, I probably spread some of it myself before I learned to check sources and make sure things are true.

The other obvious in these verses is that God can bless His people by putting terror in the hearts of their enemies. Mmmm. Most of the people I’ve talked with are not afraid of this latest strain of the flu. Most of them also consider the widespread fear as real fear but somewhat overblown. This week, one radio broadcaster said that normal flu strains kill about 41,000 Americans each flu season while this one had killed in the USA only 17. 

While that number could increase, the threat is not as severe as the reaction warrant. Or is it? What is behind the panic? False news? Or is it true? Media pressures? Who knows?

Since God is not the author of fear, is this a tactic by Satan to throw the world into chaos? Has God allowed it for some reason — such as getting a comfortable population to take more seriously the prospect of dying?

I have no idea. I just know that I am not afraid of being sick. If the most extreme thing happened — getting the virus and dying — I would be ushered into the presence of the Lord. Two years ago, my hubby got H1N1 and nearly died, but he was also ready to die. He was not filled with panic. Is it time for the world to consider their readiness to meet their Maker? Could be, but again, I have no idea.

My confidence is in the Lord. I also read today what the Apostle Paul experienced and that God brought him through it all. If peril or great challenges await me, He can take care of me. In these verses, Paul is defending his apostleship, but he is also witnessing to the protection of the Lord . . .

“ . . . . Are they servants of Christ? I am a better one—I am talking like a madman—with far greater labors, far more imprisonments, with countless beatings, and often near death. Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches. Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to fall, and I am not indignant? If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness. The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, he who is blessed forever, knows that I am not lying . . . .” (2 Corinthians 11:21–33)

APPLY: “God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control” (2 Timothy 1:7) therefore, He can help me in this crisis to be loving toward others, thinking soundly, and having peace in my heart. Just trust Him. No matter what happens, He is my Lord and Savior and worthy of my faith.