Tuesday, November 10, 2020

Pastor's Ponderings, November 10, 2020

Now Is Not The Time To Give Up

Antonia Noori Farzan, Rick Noack, Karla Adam and Marisa Iati, in the November 6, 2020 Washington Post, wrote an article about new COVID-19 cases topping 128,000 for the last few days. One of the statements in the article was, “There’s been this sense of people giving up,” Michael Fraser, chief executive of the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials, told The Post. “You had state leaders looking at the election and deciding it was not worth taking bold, unpopular moves against the virus that might save lives but hurt your side politically. There’s been state health officials debating whether to continue telling people to do things, because they know many are not going to listen.”

 

Instead of giving up, throwing in the towel and just letting the COVID-19 destroy us, the Bible provides us an example of the ultimate decision to persevere. Jesus endured personal attacks, fatigue and unreliable followers but he still did not lose heart (Hebrews 12:2-3).The forces for evil will attempt to wear out the body of Christ (Daniel 7:25).  But this is not the time to quit but instead to do great things for God (Daniel 11:32).  Evil is behind the power of COVID-19 but the body of Christ must rise up, stand in unity against it (Matthew 18:19), walk in obedience to proper health standards and declare that this plague will be defeated (John 16:23-24).  God tells us that no weapon, and this is a terrible weapon, that is formed against us shall reach its objective (Isaiah 54:17). 

 

Over the next few months many will give up and give out, walk about in despair, engage in personal destructive behavior believing they have limited time, or even say that the disease does not exist.  But the body of Christ has to rise up and declare that God heals, delivers, and sets us free from this or any other plague.  Now is not the time to give up; now is the time to look at Jesus, our Savior, our healer, and our deliverer.

 

Hebrews 12:2-3

King James Version

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

 

Daniel 7:25

King James Version

25 And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.

 

Daniel 11:32

King James Version

32 And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits.


Matthew 18:19

New International Version

19 “Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven

 

John 16:23-24

New International Version

23 In that day you will no longer ask me anything. Very truly I tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. 
24 Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.

 

Isaiah 54:17

New International Version

17 no weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and this is their vindication from me,” declares the Lord.

 

 

 

 

 

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