Pandemic

Revelation 6:7-8 When the Lamb opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the
fourth living creature say, "Come!" 8 I looked, and there before me was a pale horse! Its rider was named Death, and Hades was following close behind him. They were given power over a fourth of the earth to kill by sword, famine and plague, and by the wild beasts of the earth.

A pandemic (from Greek παν pan all + δήμος demos people) is an epidemic of infectious disease that spreads through populations across a large region; for instance a continent, or even worldwide. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a pandemic can start when three conditions have been met:

1. Emergence of a disease new to a population.
2. Agents infect humans, causing serious illness.
3. Agents spread easily and sustainably among humans.

A disease or condition is not a pandemic merely because it is widespread or kills many people; it must also be infectious. For instance, cancer is responsible for many deaths but is not considered a pandemic, because the disease is not infectious or contagious.

We live in a time of crisis - unprecedented, simultaneous, catastrophic crisis and each one is reported through the news like they are dousing a 4-alarm fire. The information comes with force like water through a fire hose but usually not with biblical perspective. It douses you with negative information and because the report makes you feel powerless to change any of it, it is easy to become paralyzed so that you just stand by and watch and wonder what its impact will be on you. This paralyzed condition creates a level of panic, discouragement, and despair.

The cure and the protection from this condition of the spirit and emotions is faith! The question comes to us; “Whose report will you believe?” Will it be the news media's report/perspective or will it be God’s word? Here is something good for us to remind ourselves of and to pray when feelings of paralyzation hit us: I trust in you Lord, maker of heaven and earth. I trust in your sustaining power and absolute authority over every situation. I trust in your love for me. I trust in you and I rest in knowledge that you are in control. You will strengthen me, you will help me, you will uphold me with your righteous right hand. Praise and honor to you my Lord and King!

That should keep us from being paralyzed by the crisis and enable us to walk with faith-filled dependence upon God. May our faith and peace be a comfort to all those we come in contact in these unprecedented days in which we live!

posted by: Pastor Tom Lane of Gateway Church