When the year 2020 started, it did not cross our minds that by December 31, 2020, more than 300, 000 souls would have been lost in the USA alone, and a whooping over a million souls would have been lost globally, to a deadly epidemic, Coronavirus. It was such an uncertain year, the whole earth went on a lockdown, a break and cessation from toils and work.
Noah’s Ark and Year 2020
When God brought the story of Noah to my heart and attention about the year 2020 on the first day of January, it meant not so much to me, perhaps something totally different than an epidemic. I did not imagine in the least an endemic, let alone an epidemic that would shut us all indoors.
One thing I was sure about was the counsel God gave me – to find Grace with him through his Son, Christ Jesus, to stay out of busyness, spending time with him, and to choose on which side of the water I want to be; whether above the water or beneath it. It seemed there was just no way to avert the overflow and outburst, but to make a choice.
I remember God said the mighty shall be humbled and disappointed, and science and power will fail the giants, knowledgeable and powerful.
Satan is the Chief Cause
Many people have interpreted the events in the year 2020 differently, some have seen it as an attack from politicians and greedy capitalists against humanity and the church. I believe it is more than all of those. Politicians might be taking advantage of it; however, Satan is at the root of it all. And what was God doing by watching and allowing Satan to wreak such havoc on his creation? Satan’s time is yet to be over! His end is much nearer!
The Goodness of God
Looking back from today, December 31, 2020, I can tell about the goodness and mercy of the Lord. If it has not been God’s mercy, Satan would have done more harm to God’s creation than we have seen. Ultimately, God expects us to be fully ready at all times for homecoming.
God still protects and keeps, especially his own people who have tasks in His kingdom to be done. He watches over us and keeps Satan’s scourge far from reaching us. He is a shield and refuge that can be trusted. But as much as that is true, God is not more committed to keeping us on earth than having us home when it is time. He does not want to have us love here more than there.
Striking the Balance
It is important for us to strike that balance in our claim, confession, and laying hold of God’s protection and the gift of long life. We must be steadfast in standing our ground against untimely death and ravaging diseases, but we must not get to the point of being afraid to go home when God allows it. Otherwise, we will open the door for the enemy to make us feel God was irresponsible when death comes knocking on us or our loved ones. We would take precautions against needless dying, but we will not let our intention be to escape going home.
Like Paul, our reason for wanting to live must be clear – to advance God’s cause and mandate over our lives towards other people. Yet we must be willing, happy, and ready to depart when the time arrives! (Philippians 1:21-26)
Choosing God No matter What!
In the coming years, we need to be bolder about our faith in Christ Jesus. We need to cry to God for strength and courage to live for him, no matter what. In my own life, what matters to me now is the resolve and resolution to follow and choose Jesus, irrespective of what happens to me. I am asking God to plant his shield in my mind against ideas and thoughts that want to make me believe God does not care about me, or that God is not going to help me, all because of what I go through in life.
I am asking God for the kind of faith found in the 3 Hebrew friends that could face the fiery fire and still choose the fire and God at the expense of their own soul and survival; irrespective of what God decided to do. They were resolute and would choose and hold on to God, even if God did not act on their behalf and prefer to have them come home. They knew for sure that there was a home for them with God. That is the kind of faith I am asking God for. I want my love for God to overwhelm me and take over everything else. I want God to help me stay focused and made up in my heart about choosing him, irrespective of the outcomes.
The 3 Golden Goals and the How
I know it takes faith, hope, and love – the three things that will remain forever – to be well rooted in God in such a time as this. Those are three vital keys to success in the years ahead, and I hope to share with you the things God will put in my heart in the days ahead concerning walking in these three things.
Above all, we must set three keys goals for ourselves in the coming year – to do the work of faith, engage in the labor of love and to have the patience of hope (1Thess.1:3). We will definitely need three vital resources to do all these effectively – one, we will need the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ; two, we will need to understand and wallow in the Love of God; and three, we will need to stay in fellowship with the Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 13:14). As simple as these might look, they are not so easy to come by, so we have the price of discipline to pay!
