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How much more has to happen before we realize God is sounding the alarm? I know there are people who have already hit the snooze button on COVID-19; they still don’t believe it’s a real threat even though it has brought this entire world down to its knees; killed many and counting.
Don’t be oblivious to the signs of time.
Nevertheless, this virus isn’t the only alarm God is sounding; we have racial tension, climate change, and economic hardships looming. If these issues don’t sound the alarm, just wait—there’s more to come. God loves us enough to reveal the good and ugly aspects of our true nature as to how we conduct ourselves during these perilous times. What a perfect backdrop to show us who we really are.
There’s no time for compromise when it comes to living our lives according to the Word of God. Yet, we have the option to hit snooze; turn over and get a few more winks. Although keep in mind: hitting snooze won’t stop time; the clock is still ticking; and it’s later than we think.
Who hath ears to hear, let him hear (Matthew 13:9).
Some people can’t hear the resounding warnings because they’re being controlled by the spirit of deception. They’re like the ten virgins in Matthew 25:1-13 who weren’t ready when the bridegroom came. God is merciful enough to signal us that challenging times are ahead; and to get our lives in right order with Him.
I’m sure you’ve heard people say they’ll be glad when things get back to normal. Personally, I don’t think life as we knew it will ever go back to the way it was; and for some, that’s good news. We are going to have to open our minds to receive a new normal.
Our commitment to God is being tested.
God has told His people what to do (see 2 Chronicles 7:14). If it wasn’t for the Church (the Body of Christ) praying and doing what God commands, we would have been consumed long ago. In the days of Sodom and Gomorrah, God told Abraham He would spare the city if He could find fifty righteous people. Abraham negotiated the number down to ten. As a result, the city was not spared; what does that tell us? (See Genesis 18:26-32.) If we only have a superficial relationship with the Spirit, it’s time to get serious and become fully committed.
It’s later than yesterday!
We must use this time to draw closer to God; hide His Word in our hearts (see Psalm 119:11). The Holy Spirit will bring the Word back to our remembrance (see John 14:26) as needed. The Word is the sword that will cut through the devil’s attacks as we hold up the shield of faith. We are here on earth at this time, which lets us know we can do what needs to be done with God on our side.
I apologize if this writing has a gloom and doom undertone; I’m not trying to over dramatize the moment that we find ourselves in; however, burying our heads in the sand and pretending that none of this is occurring will only leave us powerless in Satan’s hands.
I truly believe what we have been through thus far is only the tip of what’s to come. But don’t fear; fright is immobilizing. In the place of fear, we should ask the Holy Spirit to search our hearts and let us know what is displeasing to Him. Whatever He tells us to clean up, we must act on it.
Don’t hit snooze—the hour is late.
But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4 treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people (2 Timothy 3:1-5, NIV).
© 2020
See you next week on Paulette Talks Faith.