PSALM 91:9-10 “⁹ Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;¹⁰ There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.”

RECOMMENDED SCRIPTURE READING EPHESIANS 6:11-18 – “¹¹ Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.¹² For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.¹³ Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.¹⁴ Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;¹⁵ And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;¹⁶ Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.¹⁷ And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:¹⁸ Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.”

COMMENTS: We are living in dangerous and uncertain times, aren’t we?  Earthquakes, massive fires, tornados, hurricanes, volcanos, floods, droughts, plagues, and new severely contagious diseases all are filling our news every morning.   Who would have thought 2 months ago that   Coronavirus would be the center of our conversation and action?

I don’t intend for this devotion to become a sermon on bible prophecy since to do subject justice will require many days and much research in scripture.  So, if this subject interest you, I would recommend studying scripture and seek help of your pastor.  I would also recommend Dr. David Jeremiah as a current writer and bible teacher who has written many bible-based books on end time prophecies.

Daniel and Revelation are two books packed with end time prophecies but Ezekiel and Jeremiah and Matthew 24 are a few others too.

But instead of diving into these and other prophecies, today I would like to focus on the battle before us and how to prepare for that battle.

First of all, have you been wondering “What is going on today?”   Is all the chaos and insanity and disasters unfolding around us random or is something more sinister and deliberate behind this? 

Scripture tells us Christ will return as He left (Acts 1:9-12).  Matthew 24 gives us details of circumstances leading up to when Christ returns.  Matthew 24:22 even tells us that times will get so bad, that man would have destroyed himself if Christ delayed His return any longer.

I believe we are now seeing the shadow being cast by the dark Tribulation prophesied about.  We are living in a time when being a Christ follow is no longer popular or respected but resented with contempt.  In most communistic and Muslim dominant countries being a Christian is a death sentence or at least a guaranteed ticket to prison and suffering.  Being a Christian in North Korea is life threatening.  In China it is approaching the same level of persecution, but now China is using “face recognizing” technology and has capability of tracking everyone in their country 24×7.  Think about it, where can Christians hide.  

Today, with the Coronavirus danger, the need and acceptance of  ways to limit and control travel of people is quickly becoming acceptable.  In Communist countries, government tends to not trust their citizen’s willingness to act responsibly in protecting themselves and others from exposure to disease, but even in free countries that trust and freedom is evaporating, isn’t it?

So, what can we expect and how do we prepare?   Should we stockpile months or years of food and water and build a fortress around it so others can’t steal it?  Should we buy guns and rifles to protect our possessions against robbers?

Do you believe the Bible is God’s Word and contains life giving wisdom and knowledge applicable in ancient time but also today?  Do you believe God knows and is in control of the future and our individual future too?   Do you believe God knows and has control of that future?  So how far do you believe that?  Do you have enough faith to put your life and your family in His hands trusting Him to protect and take care of you?

If we are honest, we probably will say yes, but still wonder about examples from scripture of Christians killed in Roman arenas and burnt alive as human torches in Rome under tyranny of Nero and in modern day Korea and China and …  These examples show great faith and trust but also confidence that even death is not to be feared.  Philippians 1:21 “…to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”

God did spare Daniel from the lions and his 3 friends from the fiery furnace and Joseph from prison and death in Egypt.  He spared countless millions over the centuries too healing diseases and escape from persecution.  But there are also examples when He allowed His followers to endure death at the hand of persecutors and of diseases.  But those examples show the peace and courage Christ provided by His abiding presence with each and protection as they faced death with hope instead of hopeless despair.    

Well, truth is death claims 100% of every generation thus far, but Christ is preparing a heavenly home for 100% of His followers, those who have accepting His offer and sacrifice for our sins. 

So, if the Coronavirus is an engineered “germ warfare” experiment gone out of control or a creation of nature.  Whether we will be successful in stopping this virus and stop any future outbreaks or not.   Whether other disasters will develop that will be worse in our generation or be postponed to a distant future generation. 

This much I do think we can agree on, man has the capability   of destroying himself and that capability is quickly being accessible to groups and leaders who are insane enough or evil enough to use them.   

I believe the timing of Christ’s return is known by God and hidden from us for a purpose and reasons.  But I also believe there were times in history, like WWII when we were at a pivoting point   that could have gone either way and reason the reign of Hitler didn’t become global was the faithful sacrifice and prayers and obedience and repentance of His people.   We are told Christ’s return will be quick and without warning but not without visible signs – one being man would destroy himself if Christ’s return would be delayed any longer.   

Stop and think, if Hitler would have won the war, our parents would likely have been killed and we either wouldn’t’ t have been born or Christ may have returned before we were born or before we chose to accept Christ.   So, think about that and praise Him for delaying His return.

But remember HE IS RETURNING TO TAKE HIS CHURCH TO HEAVEN AND AWAY FROM THE TERRIBLE TIME COMING.  We will escape that time so accepting Christ is the most important and only way to really prepare for the future no matter what it holds or when.  AMEN?  AMEN!

So, what else should we do?

1. This time of isolation and waiting is a wonderful time to study scripture and pray and seek God’s council.   A wonderful time to encourage others by phone and letter and email.  A wonderful time to…  I invite you to seek God’s answer to that   question
2. Do not make unnecessary purchases – only buy necessities and do not pay with debt or with resources that may be needed for more important purchases. The importance of this advice is great now but value of this advice is true even in peaceful prosperous times since those times don’t last forever.
3. Plan your trips for supplies to minimize exposure and exposing others and do not  take unneeded trips and errands.
4. Follow and conduct ourselves like Christ followers did during crisis before us.   Be Christ-like as  they were.    Stay and be in touch in safe ways like phone and electronically.
5. Don’t forget the needs of your local church.  Tithing is not optional  to the   faithful Christ follower even when circumstances  prevent meeting together .  Technology means we can worship together from home.  Our pastor is leading worship from  our church facebook page https://www.facebook.com/groups/clintonvillemethodistcharge/
6. Use this time to reconnect with your family since are confined together in your home or apartment.  I know, it might be awkward if used to being apart  most of the time, but is worthwhile to  reconnect and this is a wonderful and important  time to do so.  AMEN?  AMEN!

Putting on the full armour of God means preparing ourselves for battle and using tools God has given available to enable us to withstand satan’s temptations that include fear and despair – acting and reacting to these emotions instead of wise well thought out actions based on God’s direction and council and logic.  God gives us sound mind and individual help to use our mind as He intended.  Doing so will bring blessing to us and to those we influence.

HERE IS OUR HOPE AND CONFIDENCE:

PSALM 91:9-10 “⁹ Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;10 There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.”

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