A Strange Time
Genesis 6:5,6, 14, 18 Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And the Lord was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart…. “Make yourself an ark of gopherwood; make rooms in the ark, and cover it inside and outside with pitch.” … “But I will establish My covenant with you; and you shall go into the ark–you, your sons, your wife, and your sons’ wives with you.”
1Kings 17:1 Now Elijah the Tishbite was a prophet from the settlers in Gilead. “I serve the Lord, the God of Israel,” Elijah said to Ahab. “As surely as the Lord lives, no rain or dew will fall during the next few years unless I command it.”
1Kings 18:1,2,22- 24 During the third year without rain, the Lord spoke his word to Elijah: “Go and meet King Ahab, and I will soon send rain.” So Elijah went to meet Ahab. By this time there was no food in Samaria….. Elijah said, “I am the only prophet of the Lord here, but there are four hundred fifty prophets here prophets of Baal. Bring two bulls, Let the prophets of Baal choose one bull and kill it and cut it into pieces. Then let them put the meat on the wood, but they are not to set fire to it. I will prepare the other bull, putting the meat on the wood but not setting fire to it. You prophets of Baal, pray to your god, and I will pray to the Lord. The god who answers by setting fire to his wood is the true God.”
Elijah goaded, teased, mocked as they all waited for the prophets of Baal to cause a fire to burn the sacrificial bull…..it’s a comical read, 1Kings 18:1-35, then picks up with God’s answering Elijah immediately….
1Kings 18:36-41, 44 45 At the time of the evening sacrifice, the prophet Elijah went near the altar. “Lord, you are the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel,” he prayed. “Prove that you are the God of Israel and that I am your servant. Show these people that you commanded me to do all these things. Lord, answer my prayer so these people will know that you, Lord, are God and that you will change their minds.” Then fire from the Lord came down and burned the sacrifice, the wood, the stones, and the ground around the altar. It also dried up the water in the ditch. When all the people saw this, they fell down to the ground, crying, “The Lord is God! The Lord is God!” … The seventh time, the servant said, “I see a small cloud, the size of a human fist, coming from the sea.” .. After a short time the sky was covered with dark clouds. The wind bean to blow, and soon a heavy rain began to fall.
Examples of some strange years, and all the time, God was in charge.
This has been a strange year. The media are reporting ‘scary’ tales of illness, death, and so forth. We have been told to hunker down, avoid other people, take precautions, and doom and gloom. It has interfered with business owners being able to retain their staff and continue their business in many cases. Fear and anxiety have been running rampant for many people. And I understand if you listen to this repeatedly, it can tend to cause your own tension to escalate. For me, I know my destination when my walk here is over; and although I have read and listened and seen what Hollywood envisions as heaven, I believe it is going to be more SPECTACULAR than my limited brain can imagine. I guess I can add it to my bucket list, and be can guaranteed that that destination will be reached!
I have been a nurse for several decades, and COVID in many ways is similar to the different flus that have attacked for most winters. People have died from the flu each winter, and this year we are hearing none of those deaths. Each winter many folks across our country die from pneumonia, the flu, complications of the flu, and this year COVID. The statistics and death toll is high, and I am not arguing that, but when you do the numbers it is between 1-2% of the population that is dying. Yet the media would lead you to believe that this is a mass killer, and the death total is astronomically high. All life is important. None of us will live here forever. And this virus has been given more power through the media. Some people are very, very ill with it. But it is NOT each person who gets it. The majority are healing, recovering, resuming their lives.
We need to remember His commands of ‘fear not;’ ‘have courage.’ I know I use these verses frequently on this blog, but I think we let our fears, those worldly emotions run rampant. No one wants to get sick, and when you hear those big numbers, it is frightening. But the info needs to be put in perspective. And we need to keep in mind, God’s got this, and if you believe in Him, know Him as your savior, your path is secured. You are His.
Although I am careful, I am not neurotic about this virus. I have several auto-immune diseases, so I don’t go tempting fate, but neither have I resigned myself to the house. I go to the grocery store, wear my mask and continue to do whatever errands I can; I check in with neighbors, and because many of us have segregated here, we see each other a couple times a week in the evenings, and just catch up, share company, and then go on our way. It has been different, and I understand many are frustrated with the limitations, but I don’t care for the scare tactics. The people who are sick, are very, very sick, but the majority are recovering after a week or so of feeling crummy. Much like the flu. You are ill for several days, feel terrible, recover, and hope to not get it again…ever.
I pray that you are aware, take precautions, wash hands frequently, maintain healthy distances, and know that God has this.
Father, You already knew this upheaval in our lives was going to occur and how it would progress. I thank You that I have every confidence that Your plan for me will be as You have planned.
Thank You for my health and ‘mybellaviews.’
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