The Christian Response To the Coronavirus
Lord, what do you want me to do?”
By Reverend Dr. RB Holmes, Pastor
Bethel Missionary Baptist Church
Saturday, May 2, 2020
Let us continue to pray that our Lord will lead the scientists and physicians to find a vaccine for treating this deadly coronavirus. We know that God is able to do anything but fail. I hope that during this virus pandemic that you have committed yourself to walk closer with our Lord, Jesus Christ.
As you truly seek your identity, I hope you are finding the answer to the question, “Lord, who am I?” Let me tell you, who you are: You are a child of God. “Know ye that the Lord He is God. It is He that made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people and the sheep of His pasture.” (Psalm 100:3) Here is the key to having a strong self esteem, self image and self awareness. You must know who your creator is. Perhaps this virus made us reconsider how we are powerless; it’s made us realize that money, possessions, things, pleasures and people are not our God. I hope that in the season of this virus we have opened our hearts to understand how powerful God is.
Also, I hope during this week, especially in the midst of this coronavirus, that you are sensitive to your destiny. The question is “Lord, what do you want me to do?” It is never too late or too early to seek the Lord’s recommendation for your being. Many people don’t know their purpose. Why are some people gossipers? Why are some people addicted to face book and keep up pure mess? I know you are not in that number. A purposeless person will most of the time walk in fear, doubt, and distress. A purposeless person will socially distance one’s self from the Lord and will lean on their own understanding. However, a person of destiny will live by the directives of Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding, in all thy ways acknowledge Him, and he shall direct thy path.”
My friends, Proverbs 3:6 tells us, “In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy path.” This precept is legacy: you want to be on the stage of life where you want to bless
others. Listen: Lord, what shall I leave behind? You are writing your own eulogy. Yes, don’t be afraid of dying; you are writing your legacy. Over 60,000 plus people have died of this coronavirus pandemic; many more die each year from all kinds of issues. Therefore, legacy is about helping somebody until the day is done.
Well my friends, today will be my last devotional until further notice. I am saddened to end this chapter of devotionals. God’s spirit laid upon my heart to write these devotionals during the most critical stages of this virus. Why? Because this is a period in history no one has ever experienced. For the first time in our history, we had to close the physical doors of God’s church at a critical time where fear was trumping faith. Many believers were trapped in a state of fear. God humbly used me to write about faith, hope, peace, prayer, salvation, God’s grace and His promises. There are now over forty plus devotionals for your edification and encouragement. “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17) This has been a good work. My beloved friends, once you come to the spiritual transformation as it relates to your identity, destiny and legacy, you will walk by faith and not by fear. Once you truly believe that God has all power over diseases, demons, devils, and death, you can never be afraid to worship him in all seasons of your life.
I thank God for your faithfulness in reading these devotionals. I truly hope that you have been helped and blessed. I hope that you will be a blessing to others. Let me thank my wife, Dr. Gloria P. Holmes, for her encouragement to keep writing during this storm; Dr. Linda T. Fortenberry for her superb editing; my extremely gifted Media Ministry led by Bro. Robert Seniors, Sis. Beverly Gavin and Sis. Rene Johnson, for posting these devotionals, keeping the website fresh, and live streaming our Sunday and Wednesday worship services. Furthermore, I sincerely want to thank the Music Ministry under the stellar leadership of Dr. Cassandra Poole and The Voices of Bethel for providing great music during this virus crisis. I want to thank the Chairman of our Trustees, Deacon James Coleman, for his support and encouragement and for how he has worked so efficiently behind the scenes for the church to flow smoothly during this most critical time in our history.
Finally, I want to thank my family for their daily encouragement and amazing feedback from these devotionals. I am greatly blessed to pastor this remarkable Bethel Missionary Baptist Church. Thank you for reading these devotionals, giving and praying that Bethel will come through this season so much stronger. Thanks to everyone. “Now unto him that is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen” (Ephesians 3:20-21) My dearly beloved, Amen.
