What Time? Never before have we walked this particular way. Never before have we seen the shutting down of business because of a “germ.”
Our world does not know who to believe, and some refuse to believe and continue on their way as if nothing has happened, and nothing needs to change. But I believe God is calling out to us, no only to His children but to the entire world. He is saying “Look up!” To His children, He is saying, “your redemption draweth nigh, and to the unbeliever, He is saying, “your time for repentance is drawing short.” God is longsuffering, otherwise he would have destroyed us a long time ago. (2 Peter 3:9) “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” God still has those left in this world who He has named from the foundation of the world, He is calling out, “Come to me.”

We as believers need to pray that those sheep who have yet to come into the pen, will come to Him. That they will hear the call of the Savior and come running to the cross of forgiveness and grace. In times of trouble just as in times of harvest and blessing we have a “Strong Tower” to run to. Jesus Christ, our Redeemer, and King. If you have not searched your own heart to see if there is any sin, any hidden sin that you are holding onto or anything that displeases God now is the time to do it. Each of us needs to search our hearts. Is it possible to have hidden sin? Yes, (Psalm 90:8 “You have placed our iniquities before You, Our secret sins in the light of Your presence.”) (Psalm 19:12 “Who can discern his errors? Acquit me of hidden faults.”) We need to let the light of His word shine deep into our secret places and dislodge anything that is not pleasing to the Lord. We need repentance to overtake us. And the only way to know what pleases him is to read his word and seek him in prayer.

I believe there is know better time than during this time of isolation from the things of this world that hold us captive. The shiny bobbles of this life that entrap us and distract us without our even knowing it. We get lured into things, people, places, stuff that keep us feeling “less than.” We know on some level God does not like it, but we reason it away by saying, “at least I don’t do this, or it isn’t as bad as so and so.” God wants you! All of you! He wants you to lay down everything that could hinder you and your prayers. When we do this purging of self and we come before the throne of God humble and open, He hears us. We need God to hear us now! We need to be the light in this madness and darkness. Our lights need to shine brighter than the darkness! And we need to pray for those who do not know the Lord as Savior. We need to stop being political and start praying fervently for our leaders, starting with our President on down.

Maybe you do not like him, and would rather see him fail. But if he does well, we do well. If he listens to the Lord it benefits us. Even if he is not “a born-again believer” and I certainly do not know his heart, God has placed in him in this position of authority, God decided he was the man of the hour, the one to be in power during this crisis in our nation. (Romans 13:1 “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained by God.”) God directs all that he does or does not do. God never said you had to like it, but he did tell us to pray for those in power.
( 1 Timothy 2:1-2 “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made for all people, 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.”)

This “time” we are in can be one filled with worry, anger, accusations, fear, self-service or it can be used as a time of personal repentance, supplication and prayers for our leaders, for unbelievers to come to repentance and salvation, giving, joy, expectancy, faith, a smile, reading God’s word. And the lists can go on and on. We as a nation have done everything in our power to remove God from the equation, but you see, you cannot! God is, has always been and will always be. He created all that we see and know. He holds it all in place. He is: “the same yesterday, today, and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8) He is the author of it all, is it time for him to enter the room, if it is, you better be ready!

We need to use our time digging into his word, rediscovering those things that please Him. We find what pleases Him by reading his word. Here is an example of what pleases God. (Romans 12:1 “Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.”) (Ephesians 5:8-10 “for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light (for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.”) (2 Corinthians 5:9 “Therefore we also have as our ambition, whether at home or absent, to be pleasing to Him.”) These are just a few. If you read His word it will renew a right spirit in you, it will shine a light in those hidden areas and you will find yourself desiring new things, things pleasing to Him. We “the church” need to look more like the Savior and less like the world.”

So, “Such a time as this” is our time to rise up, repent and then go to the “throne of grace” and plead for our nation, our leaders and those who do not know him. Let joy rise in your soul as you remember “who it is you serve” and “who it is that holds all things.” We can trust our Savior, He has a record of being faithful even in our unfaithfulness. He is our help, “MY HELP COMES FROM THE LORD!” This pandemic will either drive you to your knees and personal revival and growth, or it will reveal that you have not known him fully “and now is the time”, or it will drive you further away, fearing that all is lost and life as you know it will never be the same and you will perish in your trespasses and sin. Because here is truth: YOU ARE EITHER A CHILD OF GOD OR YOU ARE NOT. THERE IS NO MIDDLE GROUND. NOW IS THE TIME TO BE SURE OF YOUR SALVATION. Now is the time to search your heart. Who knows maybe the last “sheep” will come home and we will see Jesus soon! Wouldn’t that be a great end to our Pandemic!

Pray for one another, be the change, let it start with you and spread like a wildfire across the hearts of many. You can make a difference to someone today, ask God how and then act on it. But more than that let “the light of Christ” shine forth from you. Shout Jesus from every avenue you can, He really is the answer to every questioned asked.

Blessings to you!