“BEHOLD THE FOWLS OF THE AIR: FOR THEY SOW NOT, NEITHER DO THEY REAP, NOR GATHER INTO BARNS; YET YOUR HEAVENLY FATHER FEEDETH THEM. ARE YE NOT MUCH BETTER THAN THEY?”
—MATTHEW 6:26
CONCERNING THE PANDEMIC
BRO. CHINWENDU NWACHUKWU (NIGERIA)
Surprisingly, the world is faced with another killer disease of which if the Lord would not take mercy, many souls would surely be lost.
As children of God, we are called upon to make supplications to God in times like this. While there have been speculations about the source and target of this disease, whether natural or man-made, one thing is certain, the Lord has allowed it. A couple of weeks ago before this was as widespread, my mind was led to the scripture in Ezekiel 14:12-20.
“The word of the LORD came again to me, saying, Son of man, when the land sinneth against me by trespassing grievously, then will I stretch out mine hand upon it, and…. if I send a pestilence into that land, and pour out my fury upon it in blood, to cut off from it man and beast: Though Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, as I live, saith the Lord GOD, they shall deliver neither son nor daughter; they shall but deliver their own souls by their righteousness.”
This must cause a great burden to the heart to seek for mercy from the Lord. The speed of the spread and the inability to contain it shows the frailty of man of which he never wants to acknowledge. This has caused a running, a fear, a failing of heart; but we pray the Lord help us and as many as He has called to “look up” as instructed in Luke 21: 25–28, for our “redemption draweth nigh.”
COMFORT IN THE PROMISES
BRO. VALERI GLAAS (GERMANY)
While the whole world is caught in distress, panic, fatalities and the things that will come until the time is fulfilled, God is the strength of His people, of those who are pure in heart.
“My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works” (Psalms 73:26, 28).
There are many promises in Psalms 91 that can be applied to the troubles of this day. Blessed is the one who puts his trust in the Lord and claims these promises. The almighty God promised to be our shelter and our shield in times of need, pestilence and disease; and we are safe to rely on His promises.
“For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us”
(2 Corinthians 1:20).
Oh, what glory to keep the peace of God in our hearts in troublesome times and to be compassed about with songs of deliverance.
“Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah” (Psalms 32:7). May the Lord bless each one whose hope is in the Lord. May God fill you with courage and boldness to worship the Lord and praise Him even in times like these.
“Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation” (Habakkuk 3:18).
IN TIMES LIKE THESE
BRO. BARTH NWACHUKWU (NIGERIA)
“I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth. He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber” (Psalm 121:1-3).
When the children of Israel were plagued in the wilderness by fiery serpents they cried to God for help. “And the LORD said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live” (Numbers 21:8). The Lord Jesus Christ encouraged us with the same example. “Even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:14-15).
Let us be assured that we have a Father that loves His children in any given circumstance. In a time like this, let men pray everywhere “lifting up holy hands” to our God who answers prayers.
