We’re living in strange times. We’ve entered the Twilight Zone. As of April 7, 2020, NYC reports their highest single-day virus death toll, over 730 people died within 24 hours! Across the country, over 11,000 people have become victims to COVID-19. Security guards, police officers, firemen and first responders are falling ill. National and state leaders have approved the early release of prison inmates. Domestic violence is spiking, while March was the second busiest month for gun sales in American history.
The richest country in the world can’t provide its healthcare workers with adequate personal protection equipment as they wage a life or death battle on the front-lines of a pandemic. Federal and state officials are paying insane prices as they compete against each other (and other countries) for medical supplies. What a mess! Who would have thought in February that over 10 million citizens would need to apply for unemployment benefits by the end of March? Who would have predicted in February that over 90% of the country would now be under some type of shelter-in-place order?
It’s bad today and many are saying it’s going to get worse. Hopefully not, but only God knows. Or do you know someone with a crystal ball to see into the future? That’s one of the main reasons why we’re in this dilemma today. No one has the ability to see what tomorrow holds. Most of us were totally surprised by this virus, or at least by the devastating impact of the virus. Of course, our hindsight is 20/20, but our foresight is usually 20/200 (legally blind).
Scripture states in James 4:14, “Yet you don’t know what your life will be like tomorrow. For what is your life? For you are a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.” That’s pretty clear, and humbling: You don’t know what your life will be like tomorrow. But such is not the case with the Almighty. Nothing surprises God.
I can’t imagine our Lord adjusting His bifocals so that He can get a better view of the future. He knows the end of the story before the first reel shows on the screen of life. We don't know the future, but we can know the one who does (John 10:14)! Man has terrible foresight, but God’s foresight is perfect. He’s not surprised by this virus.
God actually wrote a prescription for this pandemic over 2,500 years ago, so He certainly wasn’t surprised by it! His prescription or remedy is still valid for us today. It can be found in the Old Testament book of 2 Chronicles, chapter 7, verses 13 and 14:
“If I shut up the sky so that there is no rain, or if I command the locust to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among my people, if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves, pray, seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”
We examine this passage in the new book, America, can you hear God now? [Now titled The Spiritual Awakening of America] Notice first of all that this prescription is framed as an “If-Then” scenario. IF we do such and such, THEN God will do such and such. In other words, if we don’t do our part, God is not duty-bound to do His part. Secondly, notice that God is the author of this Twilight Zone episode. He says, “If I shut up the sky, … If I command the locust, … If I send pestilence among my people.” These are not just “natural disasters,” they’re super-natural disasters designed to prepare us for revival. And thirdly, notice our part of the deal has four separate elements to it. Prayer is one of the four elements, which means we can’t just pray away this pandemic. God’s prescription requires us to perform all four specific acts. IF we believe and IF we obey, THEN God will show up strong on our behalf.
“Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is no other. I am God, and there is none like me. I declare the end from the beginning, and from ancient times [I declare] things that are not yet done. I say: My counsel will stand, and I will do all that I please” (Isaiah 46:9-10). God’s word is settled in heaven forever (Psalm 119:89). Come hell or high water, God’s word will stand. His prescription for our current situation will also stand. The only question is: Will we follow all four steps in His prescription? Or, are we looking for shortcuts?
As COVID-19 wreaks havoc across our nation with over 11,000 deaths so far, I ask that you help spread the flames of revival. Please share this message with at least five of your friends. Nothing is too hard for the LORD! God has a remedy for our dire situation, but we must follow His divine plan if we desire His divine results.
Grace, Peace and Jahspeed!
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