I am writing this the 3rd week of March in the year of our Lord 2020. The whole world is dealing with mass hysteria caused by the media reports of the virus known as Covid-19. There have been aspersions about certain groups, their life style culture and cleanliness and whether measures that have been taken by some states to safeguard are justifiable, reasonable or appropriate. A number of countries have decided to put controls over the coming and goings including closing their gates and putting many in quarantine.
I am reflecting on this and with my evening last night where I shared a word with our youth group. My topic was the deception in the garden by the serpent resulting in the ‘ virus’ of sin coming into the DNA of the human race. The consequence of disobeying instruction was alienation and separation from God and God putting measures in to protect the garden by stationing angels at the gate banishing Adam and Eve from same. God had placed Adam and Eve in heavenly safe surroundings. He gave them rulership over everything and sought to protect them from divine laws ie the soul that sins it will die. Sadly, the lust of the eye, the lust of the flesh and the pride of life got the better of them, they disobeyed God which led to their inevitable downfall.
As was then, anything that threatens the welfare, life or livelihood of a person, or community or nation must be dealt with both on the spiritual level, on a physical and on a national level.
There have been many theories of where the virus emnates ie whether it is retribution, an act of God or man made. For me, it doesn’t have God’s finger print he would not use man made tools to make a point, (his ways are higher than ours) . That said, I can see that the situation will eventually turn out for our good and for the good of his eternal kingdom and the penny may drop. If Covid 19 is the thing that makes us take stock of our lives, our eternal destination and not how many loo rolls we need…. then so be it.
Amidst the mayhem I have a message and it is for the Body of Christ and across the nations and it is this:
All praises be to God, we are already quarantined and we need not fear. He that dwells in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty . Use 91 against 19 and trust Him.
We are already a separated people, a peculiar people, a holy nation – made to show forth his praises of the one who called us out of darkness into marvelous light. Our lives are hidden in Christ and in God and Christ has already won the battle when he reconciled us back to God.
Wherever we are hidden, or out of sight, in the prisons or in hospital beds, we can be confident that he will deliver us from the snare of the fowler . Our names are written in the palm of his hands and we remain the apple of his eye.
Governments, rulers and nations may strategise, shake or quake, but keep your eyes fixed on Jesus the author and finisher of your faith.
Be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might and be anxious for nothing.
Know that we have an advocate , an high priest who is touched by the feelings of our infirmities and He knows your name. It was He who broke the deadlock of sin and the grave and we know that we are victorious.
Jesus has interceded for us and will give us the grace to withstand this and every storm whilst we are here on this earth. Whether there is cunning in the dispersion of this disease, his words says that no weapon that has been formed against us shall prosper.
Trust and remain steadfast and immovable in your faith and with whom we will soon have much to do.
In the midst of the noise and pestilence let your mantra be, ‘death where is thy sting, grave where is thy victory’. Remain quarantined in Him.
Your sister in Christ
Linda J
UK
14/3/2020