A Nugget from New Life Network
(by Brian Sharp of WMF)
Scripture for the Day – July 6, 2020
But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive. (Genesis 50:20)
Who would have ever thought that just a couple months ago we were all living life as normal when suddenly our world is literally turned upside down by something we can’t even see? The coronavirus has shaken us like few things have in history. For sure, there have been other diseases and plagues that have swept across certain nations, but this has taken the whole world by surprise. Make no mistake, it is a serious threat to be sure. People are dying, some of which were healthy before getting it. Many others have become extremely sick but have recovered. Others of us are trying our best to stay healthy by wearing masks, using hand sanitizer by the gallon (if we can find it) and washing our hands until our skin starts falling off…well, sort of.
And if this weren’t enough, the information coming out about the virus and our proper response to it changes daily, even hour by hour, businesses are shutting down, people are out of work, and some grocery store shelves are even bare (Toilet paper, really?) Add all this to the unnecessary fear that much of the media spins out and you have a recipe for confusion, worry, selfishness, even panic.
It’s time for us to reclaim our land, by reclaiming the promises of God. Like I imagine most of you, I have been diligent at reminding people that God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind (II Tim. 1:7). Yet, He has also exhorted us to obey those who are in authority over us (Rom. 13). Then there’s the verse that plainly says that without faith we cannot please God (Heb. 11:6).
What are we to make of all this? God’s antidote for the current crisis is to combine faith, love and wisdom that all come from God. Faith in God and His love says, “Don’t be afraid, you’re my child, I’ll take care of you”, and wisdom tells us to “Wash your hands, use social-distancing, and stay home as much as you can.”
But there’s something even more important going on here. In “discerning the times” in which we live, I believe God is preparing us in a big way to help usher in a reclamation of our land. How so? You may or may not have heard that spiritual hunger has risen significantly since the rise of COVID-19. Many pastors and other ministers are reporting a surge of people getting serious about their faith and people coming to know the Lord the likes of which hasn’t been seen in a long time. In an interview with Focus on the Family, Greg Laurie, pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship with campuses in California and Hawaii, reported that since the coronavirus has become such a big force, he has seen a major uptick in people hungry for the Lord and committing their lives to Jesus. He went on to say that we shouldn’t be content with just giving “feel good” messages, but since the field is becoming more and more ripe, we should be deliberately clear in offering Christ.
If we are to take seriously our call to “reap the harvest,” then let’s take advantage of this opportunity that is laying before us where the hunger for God is increasing, not only in certain foreign lands, but right here in America. As people become more and desperate and unnerved by the coronavirus, this just might be our cue to step up our evangelism efforts.
All things considered, reclaiming the land and COVID-19 might be the combination God will use to bring in a major harvest in these last days. Genesis 50:20 has never been more appropriate for a spiritual reclaiming of our land. We all know God didn’t make this virus, but He sure can use it to bring people into His kingdom!
