FAITH TESTED & THE LOST CALLED
FAITH TESTED & THE LOST CALLED
And when the angel stretched out his hand toward Jerusalem to destroy it, the LORD relented from the calamity and said to the angel who was working destruction among the people, “It is enough; now stay your hand.” —II Samuel 24:16
And he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground. —Luke 22:41-44
Don’t think for a moment that our Lord is not in control of this covid19. He either directly brought it or allowed Satan to instigate it. Our Sovereign Lord said, “Consider it pure joy…whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do” (James 1:2-8). Also take a look again at Job chapter one. God allowed Satan to attack Job. Why do these things happen toward believers? One thing is for sure— “In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in various trials so that the proven character of your faith—more precious than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (I Peter 1:6-7). The “proven character of your faith… may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” So for the Church all over the world during this time our faith is being tested.
Also in the purposes of God through this, and I am sure there are a multitude, is judgment on the world for rebelliousness that is taking place. This is both toward the disobedient in His Church as well as those outside His Church— worldwide. When David rebelled against God it cost 70,000 lives in three days! Yet in the passage mentioned above our Lord tells the angel working destruction— “It is enough; now stay your hand.” It was our Lord who initiated the judgement at that time and it was our Lord who stopped it. Even in Job’s life test our Lord put down limitations that Satan could not pass. Satan was destructive, but allowed by our Lord within the boundaries He set. Yes, our Lord is Sovereign over this covid19 and He does have boundaries that only He knows when it will be enough to accomplish His purposes.
For those who do not think our Lord God Almighty either brings these calamities or allows them, then take a look at Jesus! In the plan of God He was going to go through the worst event ever to take place. He was going to suffer for the sin of the whole world for all time as well as taking the sorrow and grief for all time, tasting death for every man! (Hebrews 2:9). Yet this was in the plan of God for the eternal benefit to all who call upon His Name (Romans 10:13).
So, the question is— Will you allow what He desires to do in your life to happen? Will you obey? Follower of Jesus yield to Him. You, who do not know Him, call on His Name today!
Dear Father I am grateful to know that things like this happen to mature us, to test us and to prove our faith in Jesus. May I be and do what You desire in the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Jesus. So be it! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4x8TZiwPGa0