STAY CALM AND LET NOT YOUR HEART BE TROUBLED
In this critical state we find ourselves in a pandemic never been seen like this before in the lifetime of most, if not, all people across the globe. On 12 March, The Telegraph reported that Professor Chris Whitty, England’s Chief Medical Officer, said that he expects that the UK would reach the peak of its corona virus outbreak in about 10 to 14 weeks. “If you move too early, people get fatigued,” he said, when he was asked about how to respond effectively to the virus. His response was that “This is a long haul.”
God wants us to stay CALM and PRAY.
In all things we must exercise our faith by using wisdom as we implement ‘social distancing’. Please follow the guidance that the Government have laid down in order to stop the spread of the virus and stay safe.
It is predicted to be a long haul, therefore we have to keep our heads and keep calm in the midst of this crisis. Already people are losing rational thinking as they go to do their shopping. Fights and heavy handed approaches are being used to get provisions, even though we have been reassured by the highest authorities that there is sufficient for everyone. People are behaving crazy in the shops, buying more than they will ever need, stock piling and leaving very little for others. This shows how fear has gripped the hearts of people and this is manifesting in our behaviour towards each other.
Proverbs 4:20-22 says “My son, give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my saying; Do not let them depart from your eyes; Keep them in the midst of your heart; For they are life to those who find them, and health to all their flesh.”
You can never overdose on the Word of God. You can increase your intake any time and during this time it’s imperative that you double up your medication of the Word so that it guards your mind and your heart.
As we come to the realisation of who we are in Christ Jesus and understand just how powerful our weapons and armour really are, we will begin to take charge over the forces of darkness. Darkness can never control light!
Let’s look at Genesis 1:2-3: “And the earth was without form, and void, and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.”
Notice, darkness instantly fled from the light! Now, look at 1 John 1:5
“God is Light, and in HIM is NO darkness AT ALL.” The Passion Translation says it like this, “God is pure light. You will never find even a trace of darkness in Him”. We are IN HIM and not only are we in Him – in the light – we are children of the light – 1 Thessalonians 5:5, born of the light and we put on the ARMOUR of light = Romans 13:12. And we’re commanded to walk in the light as He is in the light!
Let’s remind ourselves of 2 Corinthians 10:3–4 “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down of strongholds.”
Let’s be very clear here – Satan’s weapons are carnal!! He has NO power at all except what he can get from someone yielding to the flesh – especially in violation of the commandment of love. Remember, perfect love casts out fear. When the commandment of love is violated, the spirit of fear is present. He comes immediately to steal the Word of God. He can’t do that once you and I repent. The moment we act on 1 John 1:9, and get back into verse 7, he is finished.
Verse 7 says “But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sin.
The devil always uses terror tactics to control people. His only weapon, ever, has been the fear of death. All fear is fear of death and Jesus totally defeated him and the fear of death on the cross. Fear connects to the spirit of death the way Faith connects to the Spirit of Life. Faith actives the law of the Spirit of life, and fear activates the law of sin and death (Romans 8:2).
Now I know this virus has gone worldwide but our MIGHTY WEAPONS work anytime and anywhere they’re put to work.
Let’s take a look at the verses I would like us to use to pray for each other, especially in this current climate: Isaiah 54:14-15 “In righteousness you shall be established; you shall be far from oppression; for you shall not fear and from the terror; for it shall not come near you. Behold, they shall surely gather together, but not by me; whosoever shall gather together against you shall fall for your sake.”
We have been made the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus – far from this terror/this crisis/this pandemic. Look at that next phrase: “It shall not come near you.
And then Isaiah 54:17 declares that: “No weapon that is formed against you shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against you in judgement you shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD and their righteousness is of me, declares the LORD.”
This is our blood-covenant heritage; anywhere, anytime, for anyone who will HAVE FAITH IN GOD. Mark 11:22 say “Have faith in God” If you have no faith in God it’s hard to speak effectively to the mountain and command that mountain to be removed and be cast into the sea.
James 5:16–18 declares “The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain and it didn’t rain on the land. Then he prayed and the heavens gave rain and the earth produced its crop.”
Prayer is a weapon that “has divine power to demolish strongholds” and to pray effectively we must pray with faith knowing that God hears us when we pray.
In Psalm 4:1 David called out to the Lord saying “Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness. You have relieved me in my distress; Have mercy on me, and hear my prayer”
Take a look at another powerful scripture which I recommend that we pray over each other, Psalm 91, this is what I call the soldier’s Psalm. READ it out loud.
Now read verse 5 and 7
Right there is victory over death and it belongs to us but only if we say it. None of it works without verse 2 “I will say of the LORD”. So, I say, “This Virus cannot come near me. I have no fear of it. A thousand shall fall at my side and ten thousand at my right hand, but IT SHALL NOT COME NEAR ME!” Now you say it…’
Now go to Ephesians 6:13–18 and in your next personal prayer time, literally put on your armour……Put on your helmet of salvation; slip into your mighty breastplate of righteousness; strap on that big weapon belt of truth, and hang the sword of the Spirit on it. Now, put your boots on. These boots are the preparation of the gospel of peace. Now take the shield of faith. Strap it on your arm. It’s taller than your head and goes right down to your feet.
We have to get to the point of trusting and believing what God says and obeying what He says in the midst of this pandemic.
2 Corinthians 5:7 says “For we walk by faith and not by sight”
Jesus has provided us with the strength, the grace and the FAITH for this crisis. Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not yet see with our physical eyes but as we pray, we are stretching out our faith for a MIRACLE globally.
Philippians 4:19 (AMPC) says: “And my God will liberally supply (fill to the full) your every need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” In other words, it’s a supply that will never run out. But we have to be intentional about aligning our thoughts and words with HIS WORD.
I know it’s not easy, but I want to encourage you to stay CALM and try to listen a little less to all the news about the virus, and all those worrying voices. Shut them down for a while by giving yourself a break from the news (even just one day), so that you can refocus back on the greatness of our God and build yourselves up in your faith.
God want us to be CALM in the midst of this storm. We are reminded in 2 Timothy 1:7 not to be afraid. “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind.”
It is important to remember that fear in any shape or form does not come from God. “…God is love.” 1 John 4:8. “There is no fear in love but perfect love drives out all fear.” 1 John 4:18.
Let’s not react out of fear but out of a sound mind. Let’s be proactive and pray for a MIRACLE from God to completely eradicate this virus.
2 Chronicles 7:14 says….. If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
As we do our part: humble ourselves, and pray and seek His face, and turn from our wicked ways, then God will do His part: He will hear from heaven, and will forgive our sin and heal our land.
PRAYER IS ESSENTIAL AND NECESSARY
We should pray for:
- each other
- those affected by the virus and are in isolation,
- those in hospital undergoing treatment
- our government – that wisdom and excellent judgement will prevail as they make difficult decisions on a daily basis
- families who have lost loved one as a result of this virus
- our NHS staff working tirelessly to provide care
- our communities as everyone tries to do their part
- for the financial livelihood of families, businesses, corporate companies
- the international community as a whole.
You may be able to extend your hand to help neighbours and those who cannot get out. It may be to buy milk or bread. Everyone helping does matter and these acts of kindness mean so much.
Family of Rhema, although we cannot be physically together and may not be for a while, remember we are one in Christ Jesus. Let’s be an extension of God’s hand in love, care, kindness and compassion.
If you know of anyone who may be struggling, or self-isolating, or not feeling well please help where you can and let the Leaders know, so that we are able to effectively help. If you are feeling overwhelmed by at all, please call us – it is good to talk.
We care about you and our community and we want you to be healthy and safe, so please do your part, stay in touch and connect with each other. You’re not in this alone. You haven’t been left to fight it on your own. You haven’t been left to fight it in your own strength either. God is with you. And God is on your side. It’s so profound what Joshua told the children of Israel after spying out the Promised Land. He said “The Lord is with us. Do not be afraid”
Remember, the Lord is with you. Do not be afraid. When God fights our battles, the result is ALWAYS victory. The Word of God says it in Deuteronomy 31:6-8 (NIV) “Be strong and courageous…for the Lord your God goes with you….The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you or forsake you. Do not be afraid, do not be discouraged.” This is a powerful promise to us. God has never lost a battle (and He won’t lose this one). He is absolutely undefeated. When we trust Him to fight our battles, there is no way we can lose.
I pray that you abound in the grace of God for the times ahead. Keep drawing from God and be full of the Spirit of God. His strength is made perfect in our weaknesses and He will give us courage for each day. Nothing we face will be too much for God to handle. We will overcome every obstacle, every challenge and come through every difficulty better than we were before.
“For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever.” Amen.