We understand that fear will cloud our judgement and that we do not have to fear. Now we can think straight. 

Our faith in the Lord does not exempt us from being responsible. Responsibility means obeying God’s commandments, the laws of our country and the laws of nature. God has given each of us the freedom of choice. He does not force you to decide which of these laws you should obey and which not. He expects you to obey them but does not force you.

The coronavirus spreads according to the laws of nature. We do not fully understand all of it yet, but that is not stopping the virus from following and exploiting those laws. But what we do know, is that if we can delay the spread of the virus, we will lessen the load on hospitals and give more time for a medicine or vaccine to be developed. If hospitals are overloaded, because everyone needs treatment at the same time, people will die that could have been helped if the effects of the disease were spread over time. Therefore it is responsible for us to do the basics that will delay or prevent the virus from spreading:

• wash your hands regularly and properly, and disinfect any object coming from outside that enters your private space.
• obeying the lockdown regulations government has laid down. This is aimed at improving social distancing which will make it less likely for you to contract the disease.
• self-isolate yourself if you become ill with flu-like symptoms.

It is also responsibile for you to follow the laws of our country. It is not optional and these laws are intended to ensure our well-being and not as a punishment. Be sure to follow the lockdown regulations government has laid down.

Obey the rulers who have authority over you. Only God can give authority to anyone, and he puts these rulers in their places of power.

Romans 13:1 CEV

We know that God can intervene in nature and in our lives, if He wants to, but that you are not to test Him. Pray that He will save you but you should still be responsible and do what is expected of you.

Jesus got up and ordered the wind and the waves to be quiet. The wind stopped, and everything was calm.  Jesus asked his disciples, “Why were you afraid? Don’t you have any faith?” Now they were more afraid than ever and said to each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”

Mark 4:39‭-‬41 CEV

So don’t try to make him prove that he can help you, as you did at Massah.

Deuteronomy 6:16 CEV

A link to the official South African COVID-19 resource portal is here.