I could feel the panic in her request this morning on Facebook. A mother’s plea for prayer for her child as the new school year finally began. It was genuine. Not the passive plea as many do, who almost think of God as a Jeanie in a bottle. The unseen enemy of this nation right now isn’t only the coronavirus. As a matter of fact, that’s the lesser of the worries for our children. People are not even aware of most of the enemies that threaten our children every day.
Satan has managed to either close the church or diminish attendance to less than half in most churches across the land. And yet few people have stopped shopping. The virus isn’t allowed at a riot, but it thrives on a meeting of the righteous. Give me a break. Am I concerned about our children starting school? Yes, but not because of the virus, but because of what the virus and the unrest in America have unleashed. Now is not the time to be fearful and unknowledgeable about the world we live in.
It’s easy to get sucked into the wormhole of fear that media creates. I’ve worn that t-shirt more than once. The only way that I have found to live outside of fear is stay in the word of God and believe in His sovereignty over my life. I believe in washing your hands and staying out of spittin’ distance of folks. Other than that, I’ll leave the rest to God.
Don’t Tire in Telling
Hebrews 5:11-14 KJVS
[11] Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing.
I can feel the frustration of the writer of Hebrews when he says they are “dual of hearing.” Because our nation is the same. The Nation (as a whole) has turned a deaf ear to the gospel as if it’s powerless, when in reality it is a universal power for all who read and listen. It will give us the guidance we need to face Covid-19, to disprove the slanderous lies of the media and not cower to the wicked powers that would have us living in fear. The wicked know that a fearful world is not one that can convince anyone that their opinion is worth having. If we live in fear and say nothing, we’ve said plenty on behalf of the enemy.
Don’t grow weary of telling the world about the greatness of our Lord and then power in His word.
Don’t Tire in Teaching
[12] For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. [13] For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.
The world needs to see real, godly leadership.
I have been chomping at the bits to get back in the classroom to teach. I missed it! The time that I spend preparing for Wednesday Biblical Studies Classes and Sunday School Classes gave me purpose and drive for the gospel. When that part of church ceased, part of my drive went with it. I could easily see how people can turn back into babies in need of being coddled. It’s much easier to let others do the work.
But the more we study the word, and teach other’s about Christ, the more wisdom we receive from Heaven. The world needs to see godly leaders who are able to discern the difference between right and wrong thinking and provide the evidence of it through the word of God. It’s like building a wall around a city and taking care of our community. But when the world sees Christians living in as much fear as the lost, it undermines and tears down the walls that have been build by leaders going before us.
Don’t Tire of the Truth
That’s what discernment is, discovering the truth…
[14] But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
Staying in the word of God in every medium available (listening, reading, teaching), builds strength just as exercising the muscles. It’s building the muscles of your mind so that when you are faced with right or wrong, truth or lie, deception or reality, the Spirit of God will reveal what you need to know. That’s survival in this day and age.
I do not know how people who are not in church, and not in the word of God and in relationship with Christ survive day to day in this world. I would be in a fetal position in the bed were it not for Jesus Christ Who gives me the strength, energy and wisdom to fight against the principalities of the air that are stirring up our world with a big stick.
It’s why I understand that momma’s fear for her child. But with God, we have the ability to discern the truths of this world that will help us live in peace until finally God says, “enough.” And calls us home. Until then, survive! And encourage others to do the same.
Don’t grow weary in well doing church!!!! I love you. God loves you more!