Be Still And Listen - By Grant Phillips -
Millions of people throughout the world are praying for the COVID-19 Coronavirus to end. We make those prayers for legitimate reasons, and unfortunately, even for selfish reasons. Yes, I'm just as guilty as you.
The sad part of this is that so many are praying to false gods, idols of some fashion, but not to the one and only true God of Heaven. The God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, John, Peter and Paul is always listening to those who call upon His name in sincere repentance and with a sincere heart.
Maybe God just wants us to take a break from all the world's distractions and sit down and relax. Now that we're confined to our homes, maybe it's the opportunity we need to just talk to Him, perhaps slow down and listen to what He has to say. Is it possible we have strayed so far from His will that danger could be lurking ahead? Maybe He desires to warn us, to give us a chance to repent.
Have you ever been traveling and gotten off on the wrong road? You realize what you've done, then turn around and go back until you're on the right road again to get to your destination. That is 'repent.'
God had a few words for Israel that are most appropriate for us also.
"If you are willing and obedient, You shall eat the good of the land; But if you refuse and rebel, You shall be devoured by the sword"; For the mouth of the LORD has spoken. How the faithful city has become a harlot! It was full of justice; Righteousness lodged in it, But now murderers. Your silver has become dross, Your wine mixed with water. Your princes are rebellious, And companions of thieves; Everyone loves bribes, And follows after rewards. They do not defend the fatherless, Nor does the cause of the widow come before them" (Isaiah 1:19-23).
Those words describe us so well. Can't you just imagine God speaking to Israel, then looking over at us and saying, "Are you listening?" Reminds me when we were children. One child gets the lecture, and the others are expected to be listening in order to learn from their sibling's 'mistake.'
In the following verse God is speaking to Lucifer (Satan), who had it all and then pride destroyed him.
"Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness: I will cast thee to the ground, I will lay thee before kings, that they may behold thee" (Ezekiel 28:17).
I fear that we as a nation have done the same. Let's face it. We are not short on pride. We think we are the best of the best. We think we cannot fail or fall. Our egotism is unmatched. But what is our future if we don't listen to God?
In the next verse God is telling Moses that those He led from slavery to freedom have sinned. They have corrupted themselves.
"And the LORD said unto me, Arise, get thee down quickly from hence; for thy people which thou hast brought forth out of Egypt have corrupted themselves; they are quickly turned aside out of the way which I commanded them; they have made them a molten image" (Deuteronomy 9:12).
Just as Israel sought freedom to worship their God, many years later Europe had a people who sought the same thing, so God led them to the shores of America. However, we have taken this freedom and used it to corrupt ourselves. No nation has been blessed as mightily as this nation, so what happened? We started looking inward instead of upward. We are now so far off the charts in our sins, judgment is a certainty unless we repent. Thankfully, God is longsuffering (patient).
"But You, O Lord, are a God full of compassion, and gracious, Longsuffering and abundant in mercy and truth" (Psalms 86:15).
In one respect, the COVID-19 Coronavirus could be a blessing instead of a curse, IF we would take the time to listen to God and obey Him. For most in this country, they may be so far gone, there may be no turning back, but maybe there are enough who will that God will delay His judgment. The words of God are:
"Come now, and let us reason together,' Says the LORD, 'Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool" (Isaiah 1:18).
Most Americans act like their sins are a right that is theirs to enjoy. We act like our actions, sinful or not, should be accepted by all and there is no piper to pay.
Others across this land do not believe in God. They're too sophisticated, but God wants us to listen to these words very carefully.
"Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!" (Psalm 46:10).
Hopefully, some will take this time and use it wisely. Either way, He will be exalted.
Grant Phillips
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