You are also to say to this people, ‘This is what the LORD says: Behold, I set before you the way of life and the way of death. Whoever stays in this city will die by sword and famine and plague, but whoever goes out and surrenders to the Chaldeans who besiege you will live and retain his life like a spoil of war. For I have set My face against this city to bring disaster and not good, declares the LORD. It will be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon, who will destroy it with fire.’ vs8-10

We must go into chastisement, when God says it’s time. Therefore, the one who humbles himself shall be saved; the one who rebels, destroyed! Do not run from God in adversity or deny His counsel! Yield to His wisdom, and He will spare you.

First, we deserve what we get. Many think the coronavirus is unfair, as if they deserve better - house, job, and healing - but it is God telling us that we deserve to be afflicted, just like Job, and we must not complain.

If we have sinned, then acknowledge it: turn in full repentance.

Only acknowledge your guilt,

that you have rebelled against the LORD your God.

You have scattered your favors to foreign gods

under every green tree

and have not obeyed My voice,’”

declares the LORD. [Jer 3:13]

If you are doing well, then keep doing well, though He afflicts you. We have ups and downs in the Christian life [Jer 20:7-18]. We must be faithful.

Secondly, God brings healing out of affliction. He saves His elect thereby, humbling the pride of man by revealing his stained garment.

The LORD of hosts has purposed it, to defile the pompous pride of all glory, to dishonor all the honored of the earth. [Isa 23:9]

He makes us see how we have sinned and sobers us up! We ran after silly religion, “declaring and decreeing” our destiny, but now we know that it’s vain [James 4:13-14]. We strutted like everything was under control, and we were flossing about life - that we “had it on lock,” and, “Look at us. We know what we’re doing.” Now, however, it is plain that we control nothing.

Repent of this foolishness. Repent of half measures. Repent of not being all out for truth and preaching it. Repent of living for yourself.

Thirdly, if we do repent, then it will be well! We’ll make our calling and election sure, and He will receive us. He will not cast out anyone who comes to Him, but He will save us, guaranteed. God’s elect cannot be abandoned, and no man can be drawn and rejected, so come, and He’ll receive you.

“Everyone the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will never drive away.” [John 6:37]

He’ll take away your sins and give you power to serve Him! You’ll render your RIGHTFUL MASTER His due.

Do not forsake this call to repentance. Do not harden your heart.