We went to Cabela’s yesterday after church. (Ryan needed a new shotgun for an upcoming hunting trip.) The guns and ammo racks stood bare as the toilet paper aisle in every grocery store. Both Ryan and the clerk scratched their heads, wondering what people would do with guns against a virus. The truth is, people are desperate for security, and they are searching for it within tangible things that can’t help them: guns, food, and apparently a lot of toilet paper.

I implore you to consider for a moment to find your security within a God who is good rather than things that fade. For those of you who are still struggling with a God who would allow a pandemic, I’m sorry, but you just don’t know Him quite like I do yet. I used to be there, and it’s ok to be there, but don’t close the door on Him. Jesus said with his own lips in John 16:33 that “These things I have spoken to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation (you will be faced with a pandemic called the coronavirus), but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” This is just one of many places Jesus spoke to us of living through tribulation. God’s love for us doesn’t change or fade, even though life is hard and scary. He died so we could have peace in the dark. Press into Him during this time, not away from Him.

People of God, consider 2 Chronicles 7:14, which 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, I will hear from heaven and forgive their sins and heal their land.” I never realized before that this verse is not speaking to the unbelievers. The verse says “If MY PEOPLE…” A form of humbling oneself is fasting. Child of the Most High, if you’ve never fasted in your life, consider fasting now. Give up that TV show and pray. Give up the cupcake and pray. Give up that wine glass and pray. I know we will see the hand of God sweep across our nation, His warrior angels pushing back the darkness flooding our land. He is faithful to do what He promises.

Like David, we sometimes don’t know our own wicked ways (Psalm 139:23-24 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.) Anyone ever behaved in an unpleasant way, not realizing the hurt you caused? I know I have.

So Fast. Ask the Lord. He will show us our wicked ways so we can turn from them. He will purify us, make us ready for the last great awakening, and heal our land, too.

Consider this final verse:

So shall they fear (reverence)
The name of the LORD from the west,
And His glory from the rising of the sun;
When the enemy comes in like a flood,
The Spirit of the LORD will lift up a standard against him (Isaiah 59:19).

Take heart and have peace today. Fast and pray. Give God some glory, because we already have the victory.

Love and hugs,

Cristy