Peace in the Midst of Panic
Dear saints: Peace be with you. Don't let your heart be troubled or dismayed. The Lord is with you. Be still and know that He is God. And God is for you—Who can be against you? Nothing can separate you from the love of God in Christ Jesus. In response to the CoronaVirus, the world is in a panic. But you will not be. Be at peace, and be still. The Lord is on your side. Look to the cross and remember that the Lord bore all of our griefs, sickness, infirmities, anxiety, and worry, and on the cross, He conquered them. He took the crown off of death's pale brow. He removed the poison out of the devil's darts. He ripped the power away from sin, death, and hell. Now, they cannot harm us. Now, they are His servants, they must serve Him, and accomplish the good that He desires. And it's for this reason that nothing—nothing, yes, absolutely nothing, not one thing at all ever—can separate you from the Lord. Sickness and disease and death cannot harm you or take you away from the Lord. The only thing any trial or tribulation can do is bring you closer into the arms of your dear Father in heaven. Through His death, Christ turned death into door of everlasting life. So, the one thing we should be afraid of is the one thing we no longer have any need to be afraid of. Death cannot take anything away from you. No, for you to die is gain (Philippians 1:21). The world worries and is filled with anxiety—But you, dear Christian, be still. Be at peace. The Lord is with you and He is on your side. He will never leave you nor forsake you. The Lord is at your right hand—You will not be shaken. The Lord is your light and your salvation—whom should you fear? The Lord is the stronghold of your life—Of whom shall you be afraid? So, be strong and let your heart take courage. Don't be afraid or terrified of anything, because the Lord your God goes with you. And He will never leave you nor forsake you. Peace be with you.
A Mighty Fortress Is Our God (LSB 656) Dr. Martin Luther Though devils all the world should fill, All eager to devour us, We tremble not, we fear no ill; They shall not overpow's us. This world's prince may still Scowl fierce as he will, He can harm us none. He's judged; the deed is done; One little word can fell him.
Here's a list of articles and podcast episodes that address how the Christian is to live in and respond to the widespread panic of the CoronaVirus:
1) A Christian Response to CoronaVirus Fear—Issues, Etc. 2) "When One Can't Flee The Plague"—Rev. Roy Askins 3) How Christians Can Respond to a World Anxious About Wuhan CoronaVirus—Rev. Daniel Torkleson 4) Families and CoronaVirus—Issues, Etc. 5) CoronaVirus and Comfort—Rev. Burnell Eckardt 6) A Christian Attitude in Times of Widespread Sickness and Rumor of Death—Rev. Brian Flamme 7) What You Need to Know About the CoronaVirus—Gene Veith 8) Whether One May Flee from a Deadly Plague—Dr. Martin Luther 9) Martin Luther on the CoronaVirus—Gene Veith 10) What if I Don't Feel God's Peace?—Issues, Etc.