03/21/2020
Did you ever think that you would live through a biblical scale plague? In your wildest dreams could you foresee the world experiencing something that we have read about happening during bible times? Did you wonder to yourself how those ancient figures could experience such catastrophe and not see that it was brought upon them by the hand of God, and that He was greater than they were? Well to understand those stories, and the seemingly unbelievable reluctance of those people to hear God, all we need do is look around us today.
“But I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and though I multiply my signs and wonders in the land of Egypt, Pharaoh will not listen to you. Then I will lay my hand on Egypt and bring my hosts, my people the children of Israel, out of the land of Egypt by great acts of judgment.”
Exodus 7:3-4 ESV
Like Pharaoh, world leaders think they can overcome Coronavirus by their own devices, and yet they fail; when all that God requires is for them to turn to Him, and do His will; they remain unmovable. Plagues fell upon Egypt, but like all plagues and hardship, they are never meant to last forever, and COVID-19 will also pass. But, when each is done, will we have turned to God, and come to recognize His Son Jesus, or will we have set ourselves up for yet another pandemic, another plague? If we remain unbelieving, and fixed in our worldly lives, then more punishment, meant to draw us to God, and guide us into His will, will come.
“And you shall say to him, 'The Lord, the God of the Hebrews, sent me to you, saying, "Let my people go, that they may serve me in the wilderness." But so far, you have not obeyed. Thus says the Lord, "By this you shall know that I am the Lord: behold, with the staff that is in my hand I will strike the water that is in the Nile, and it shall turn into blood.”
Exodus 7:16-17 ESV
We face hardships and troubles in our personal lives that are meant to correct us, and lead us, or our families, into a stronger faith, or to lead us to Jesus... and He deals the same way with people, countries, or the world. Sometimes God brings plague or disaster against an entire people just to deal with one man’s heart, or to strengthen one man among them. God raised up Joseph in Egypt after his brothers sold him into slavery, and then God led Jacob and his family to Egypt, and Joseph, by bringing a massive famine upon the land. God uses catastrophe to move those who will not hear Him any other way.
“Moreover, all the earth came to Egypt to Joseph to buy grain, because the famine was severe over all the earth.”
Genesis 41:57 ESV
These stories are well known to men and women of God, and yet we fall right back into a laxity of faith, or turn completely away from a God... time and time again. We elevate ourselves in our own minds, or worship false gods. So when plague, pestilence, or famine come how do we react to it? Are we like Pharaoh who only concedes to God’s will when the pain grows too strong, but in the end never really turns to Him? Are we like Jacob who is moved to a new country by famine and receives a promise? Are we like the Israelites who wander the desert complaining of hunger, and worshiping false gods as the Lord punished and corrected them time and time again? Maybe we are more like Job who faced sickness and calamity beyond belief, and yet held firm to his faith. Or are we like Paul, who is knocked down, blinded, healed, and then is transformed spiritually, and who then turns to Jesus. How do we face our own famines, and how do we as residents of the world face worldwide calamity like Coronavirus? will we keep our faith, believe for the first time, or perhaps change our evil ways, and turn obediently to God?
“Therefore say to them, Thus declares the Lord of hosts: Return to me, says the Lord of hosts, and I will return to you, says the Lord of hosts. Do not be like your fathers, to whom the former prophets cried out, 'Thus says the Lord of hosts, Return from your evil ways and from your evil deeds.' But they did not hear or pay attention to me, declares the Lord. Your fathers, where are they? And the prophets, do they live forever?”
Zechariah 1:3-5 ESV
These are our signs, our trials, and the moments that call us to action. From boils, death, and loss, God made Job an example of faith, and obedience, for all who would come after him. In the midst of famine God raised from Jacob a great people. Out of plagues God brought His people from Egypt, and from the darkness of his heart, and blindness, Jesus opened Paul’s eyes to His gospel. So how are you being directed in the midst of this calamity today? Are you feeding the less fortunate? Are you reinvigorating you’re faith? Are you preaching, and being an example to others as Jesus was in His life, and His darkest hour of passion? All of these things and more are our opportunities, and lessons that come to us in the midst of our life’s plagues. Are you ready to see God in all that is happening in the world today, or do you think that pandemic it is just a disease, and a natural occurrence in the world?
“But the Lord is the true God; he is the living God and the everlasting King. At his wrath the earth quakes, and the nations cannot endure his indignation.”
Jeremiah 10:10 ESV
Prayer:
Father, we thank you for the mighty signs you give us, and the times of plague and famine that seal our hearts in you, and turn us back to fervent prayer. We thank you Lord for your presence in times of good, and plenty, and we thank you for leading us back to those green pastures when we wander. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who spares no effort to save our souls, to make each one of us your child, and to restore all of us as your people. Great are you who can cause the rain to stop, and then to fall again. Great are you who can bring scourges upon the land and then remove them. Great are you who can raise up fever and boils in our bodies, and then heal us. We praise your name Father because you use these things for your purposes, and our ultimate good. Help us to see you, and obey you in these challenging times. Help us to witness to others regarding your power, and also your mercy and grace in the midst of crisis. Lead us to you, and Jesus Christ, even as we face the cross. We worship you Father, and remain firm in our faith as you deal with the world. In this hour we pray for your protection, for the blood on our doorposts, and the salvation of many souls. Let your grace flow out to us through Jesus, and let your mercy abound forevermore.
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good.”
1 Thessalonians 5:16-21 ESV
Rich Forbes