Courage in a Time of Fear

Dear friends,

For the first time in our lives, most nations and people are being faced with a common enemy. The developed countries as well as the developing ones, the rich and the poor, the intelligent and the simple, are all afraid of a small virus which threatens to destroy countless people!

This pandemic is similar in scope to the “Spanish Flu” during World War 1, which affected nearly every nation in the world, but different in that the “Spanish Flu” killed many millions of people. Then, people knew little about how to combat such a virus and were truly helpless. At least today we know much more about COVID-19 and are taking every precaution possible to avoid its spread.

Like other nations, Egypt is imposing curfews, closing large gatherings (including Mosques and Churches), and trying to contain this pandemic. But with 100 million people, most of whom live in close proximity to one another (social distancing is literally impossible for many) and with limited medical resources to cope with the spread of the virus, we can only trust God to continue to protect us.

Over many centuries, the people of God have found comfort and encouragement through the Bible. We at the Bible Society of Egypt feel privileged that God has entrusted us with the responsibility of spreading His Holy Word among Arabic speaking people in Egypt and overseas. At “such a time as this”, we need to do all we can to let God’s Word speak into people’s hearts and minds.

Providentially, in 2019 we established a “Digital Media Department” with a remarkably gifted team of media specialists. They are now working hard to produce audio, video and infographic material from the Bible to distribute electronically worldwide for adults and also for kids (an option which was not possible only a few years ago).

I am writing to ask your prayers for us, that God will help us to meet this enormous challenge during these unpredictable days.

Attached is a short video message from me based on Psalm 27, which is one of several we have recently produced. I do hope it will be an encouragement and challenge to you.