NO FEAR HERE

PART THREE

Our six-year old grandson is currently living with us full time, and attending a Christian school here in Hobart, in southern Tasmania. This particular school is having two student free days, in order that the teachers can prepare material and set in place contingencies should the school need to close its doors, because of the COVID-19 Coronavirus threat.

As of writing, in the state of Tasmania, Australia's island state, there have been twenty eight confirmed cases of this virus, all being people who have returned from interstate or overseas travel. There have been, to date, no person to person infections in this state. Even so, the government has commenced Stage 1 of measures deemed necessary to seek to contain the spread of the virus.

Thousands of jobs have been lost, strict social distancing protocols have been enacted, and the police force has been given powers to fine those not adhering to the government's directives. Further tighter measures have been foreshadowed in the event that the disease shows signs of significantly increased casualties in the state.

At a press conference called by the Premier, Peter Gutwein this morning, in reply to a question from a journalist about the policy regarding schools, he clearly stated that at present the national health advice is that there is no risk for children continuing to attend school. In spite of this, we know personally of at least one Christian school in the Hobart region which has already closed, and the school where our grandson is enrolled - on their Facebook page today, stated that ninety (90) percent of parents/carers have decided to keep their children at home and continue their education away from the school.

We were somewhat shocked about this. Then perhaps we should not have been. Our grandson's young teacher rang us yesterday afternoon to ask what we planned to do with him - to keep him at home or still send him to school. I told her that we would want to still send him to school while it remained open. She then said: "If I had children, I would want to keep them at home." Talk about a hint that we were, perhaps being irresponsible sending our grandson to school still.

Of the eight deaths from COVID-19 in Australia so far, all have been in their 70's and 80's, and most probably have all had other immune system deficiencies. It has been stated that eighty percent of all cases of the infection experience mild symptoms.

Another post featuring on the Facebook page of the Christian school our grandson attends is about 40 and 50 year olds in NSW who are now in intensive care in NSW with the Coronavirus. What they fail to mention, though, is I suspect that, as with those who have already died or who are very ill, they have most likely been experiencing other health issues weakening their bodies' immune systems.

Because it is a Christian school, I thought I would seek to bring some encouragement to those reading their Facebook page. I posted the following about an hour ago: 

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High

Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress;

My God, in Him I will trust."

Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler

And from the perilous pestilence. Psalm 91:1-3

At this time, the Church of Jesus Christ is called to arise and shine, not cowering in fear, but to walk by faith, and to extend the love of God to a world that is in panic and turmoil. After all, Jesus is the Prince of Peace.

I posted it to the school's Facebook page, then after less than five minutes it disappeared. Unbelievable!

There is NO mention of Jesus, of our need to trust God at this time - just depressing posts about COVID-19.

Let us be sure of one thing: Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever. Hebrews 13:8
As Jason Golden, Evangelist posted a few days ago:
HOW DO WE BEAT THE CORONAVIRUS?

FAITH OVER FEAR

WISDOM OVER WORRY

PRAYER OVER PANIC


TO BE CONTINUED

If you would like to know more about how to become a Christian, and be delivered from fear - and know God's deep abiding peace, 
Go to www.vision.org.au  Click on Growing your faith tab, then from the dropdown menu, click on "Looking for God?" God Bless!