Can we celebrate in the midst of tragedy? Here is a Word of Hope
Corona virus. When we hear that term the last thing most of us think about is hope! With a death toll approaching 20,000, the unemployment rate rising, the stock market crashing, and many other devastating consequences, celebrating is the last thing that crosses our minds.
A Word of Hope
It was an eerie feeling as I sat and listened to our President announce that we were in the midst of a global pandemic. I think mentally I had prepared myself to experience war or other natural disasters sometime during my life but to be honest, a crisis like this had never crossed my mind.
Everyone I knew was stunned at the enormity and far reach of this virus.
God always has a word of hope.
I was in the car driving and asking the Lord what was going on and how should I speak to families about this pandemic. I just couldn’t grasp that this thing had infected the whole world!
The Lord reminded me that this was not His first pandemic.
The first pandemic
In the beginning of time mankind’s decision to disobey God caused his blood to become infected. This infection would spread to every person that would come from them, meaning all of mankind. There is no one anywhere who could escape this disease and the prognosis was death.
There simply was no cure for this disease called sin. Man’s blood had been infected and the only remedy was a blood transfusion. The thing was … there was no perfect blood.
So God set in motion His master plan to create an antidote. He decided to create perfect blood by becoming a man himself. He would grow and live among us resisting the temptations of sin and therefore remain perfect. The ultimate part of His plan was to give His life through a sacrificial death. The blood that He shed during His death is the very blood that man would need to be saved from death and healed forever.
And so Jesus also suffered outside the city gate to make the people holy through his own blood. Hebrews 13:12
,,,Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sin by his blood. Revelations 1:5
For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16
The Hope of Jesus
Jesus did more that just give up His life. He also overcame the disease that separated us from God by eliminating it at the source. He came and lived as a man, lived a life completely obedient to the Father, died on a cross, and rose again. Don’t miss that part! He rose from the dead!
Jesus was in the grave for three days. He descended into hell, stripped Satan from all his power, defeated death, came back to life, and then rolled away the stone.
Yes! Jesus is ALIVE! And we have the antidote to the disease of all diseases. But you have to receive the cure. He will not force it down anyone’s throat.
Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil. Hebrews 2:14 ESV
And which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. 2 Timothy 1:10 ESV
Corona did not surprise God.
God did not create the Corona virus and it did not take Him by surprise. Sickness and disease on the earth is a remnant of the first global pandemic, the fall of man. But we already have a cure for that disease! It is the Gospel of Jesus Christ! When someone accepts the vaccine of the blood of Jesus, they get with it all the benefits of becoming part of the family of God.
- Forgiveness of sins
- Acceptance by the Father
- Jesus as a constant companion
- The life and breath of God’s Spirit
Let’s not forget protection, provision, wisdom, direction, joy, confidence, and hope!
The list is really as limitless as God Himself.
During this time it is of utmost importance for the Gospel to be on the lips of every believer.
Can we celebrate in the midst of tragedy?
Yes! We do not of course celebrate THE tragedy. However, we can and should celebrate the fact that God will use even this for our good. It is a privilege to worship and give thanks to the Lord. When we come before Him with grateful hearts, remembering whatever is good, noble, honorable, etc., our minds become focused on God instead of our circumstances. As we praise Him and see Him as the source of whatever it is that we need, healing, provision, peace, etc., then our faith rises so that we are able to receive the very thing we need from Him.
Praise be to the LORD, for he has heard my cry for mercy. The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him. The LORD is the strength of his people, a fortress of salvation for his anointed one. Save your people and bless your inheritance; be their shepherd and carry them forever. Psalm 28:6-9
What is God trying to tell us through this experience?
I looked up the word “corona” and found something amazing. Corona means:
- The glow of the sun usually only seen during a solar eclipse.
- A crown or that which resembles a crown.
- The center of a flower that has the shape of a trumpet.
When I look at that picture of the solar eclipse, I cannot help but be reminded of the power that it took to roll the tomb stone away on Resurrection Day.
This is what I believe the Lord was telling me and I think it is a word of hope to the world.
Prophetic Word
The earth is sounding forth its trumpets as it cries for My return. The trumpets sound to wake My people who have been lulled to sleep. They sound to declare My name in the Earth. King of Kings. Lord of Lords. Light of the World. Deliverer. Redeemer. Righteous Judge. Everlasting Father! The flowers of spring are singing Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty. They shout REMEMBER and RESTORE!
Darkness has crept over the hearts of men. My children have forgotten me, diminished My name, and compromised My Word. No amount of darkness can hide My Light. It will burst forth like a new day. Like a baby crowning in birth I am ready to bring forth a new thing. It is time for my people to wake from their slumber, get back to those things that are important. Teach your children My ways, honor Me in your houses, and declare My name in your places of work.
I know that the times ahead my be hard, filled with temptations, trials, and hardships. Do not fear. Hold My hand. Hide yourself in Me. I will light your path and you will be a great light in the world.
If you abide in Me and My Words abide in you, then ask whatever is in your heart and it will be given to you.
Let’s get to work!
Isaiah 42
This passage of scripture has always resonated in my heart. When I read it, it literally feels like trumpets are sounding. It is too long to put here, however, not long to read. I encourage you… if the Lord is shaking things up in your life, if you feel His voice calling for change deep inside you, find a quiet place and read Isaiah 42.
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