What should be the believers’ duty in times like this?

Presently, the world have one news as I presume you already know, and that is the Corona virus pandemic. This has no doubt put real panic in many hearts, stopped businesses, restricted movements and even gathering of any sort, but this post is not one to further promote more fear or give yet another headline, but is addressed to believers and what their duty should be in times like this.

Before proceeding with the post, let’s remind ourselves of the promise of God to us in Exodus 15:26

“And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee.”

The verse of scripture above has clearly given us God’s word that as long as we keep believing and obeying Him wholeheartedly, he will put no strange sicknesses upon us. With that being said, we can be rest assured that despite the ruthless spread and increase of the dreaded virus, it will not locate our dwelling places.

The Believers’ Focus

In Matthew chapter 24 when the disciples of Jesus was both showing him and admiring the buildings of the temple, Christ made them to understand that a time would come when there shall not be left a stone upon another that shall not be thrown down. This statement of Christ by implication seek to draw the minds of the disciples away from ephemeral things and put a caution in them to prepare for a more serious event that should shortly come to pass which will be eternal.

This pattern of Jesus is what I want to adopt in this post to take our focus away from the present happening which is temporal, to that which will shortly come to pass and eternal.

In times like this, believers have no cause for alarm bearing in mind that the world will never go out of hand until Christ has taken his own away! We are hereby called to a life of watchfulness and vigilance.

Taking a cue from the advice of Jesus to his disciples, believers are to stay focused and remain positive in this vulnerable moment by not letting their hearts run frenzy as regards the world’s news, neither are they to pay attention to false prophecies of Christ’s appearing visible in one place or the other. Remember the words of Christ,
“Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not.” According to the word of God, all these things will come to pass as Christ has predicted and many will be deceived but the end is not by and by. Nevertheless, what we see today is a mirror and a pointer to that event that will come to pass after the rapture of the saints.

So what should be the believer’s preoccupation this season? Would there be a better time for us to spend time to meditate and read the word now that the whole world is resting? On a normal day, everyone will be about their business and would hardly have time for self or the Word. All men are not after you at this time demanding you to fulfill one task or obligation, rather, your task is to stay at home and make sure you are at home. Recently, I received a text message from Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) with information of the new restrictions in force now in certain states of the federation, issuing a command that read, “…YOU MUST STAY AT HOME…” maybe you got it too. To me, that was more than a text message from NCDC but a decree that have been established in heaven even before we entered this year because I have personally prayed for such rest in my life which has come to pass. I remember making a heart rendering prayer to God on the eve of the new year asking Him to give me rest after a very tough 2019. That prayer the Lord began to answer that very day from the time of the Watch Night Service and continued to confirm it in the new year. Today, I’ve seen the full result of my heart cry. I’m now enjoying that rest in abundance, in fact the whole world seems to be resting as well. God answers prayer. So you too can use this period to rest a while. Take time to rest. It is when you rest well you will see clearly to then put things aright that haven’t been. This is important for you.

The Believers’ Duty

In times like this, Christians and I mean believers need to PRAY. In case you might be wondering what the prayer points should be, here is a list of what you should be praying for at this time;

 

Pray for yourself

Your own soul first is important and this is the time to make your ways right with God. If there are habits, sin or some carelessness that have crept into your life as a result of being overly busy here and there, now is the time to pray them out and take responsibility, not for corona virus but for your soul.

Ask the Lord to revive your heart and awaken your consciousness so that you can be watchful, and pray that he should open the eyes of your understanding in times like this, because if you can’t perceive what the mind of God is at this time, then you wouldn’t know what you’re supposed to be doing as a Christian.

 

Pray for the Church

Remember, when Christ will eventually come at the rapture, he is not coming for the world but for his church (the called-out), so pray for the church of Christ that God would make them ready.

I planned writing a post titled, “The 9 symbolic revelation of Jesus Christ and their meaning” but since this happen to come first, kindly watch out for that one, I believe it will bless you. Thirdly,

Pray for the careless Christians

Pray that the spirit of God will call them to order and bring consciousness back to them. Fourthly,

Pray for the church leaders

Pray that God will help the leaders of the church in times like this and open their eyes to his will always. Fifth,

Pray for the nation

Pray that God will continue to shower his mercy upon us. Sixth,

Pray for your family

Pray that God will show your family mercy and help those that are yet to know him come to the knowledge of the truth. Lastly,

Pray that God’s children will gather again

The children of God will surely gather again when God finishes what he wants to do. He will cleanse the land and put an end to the pandemic. Don’t stop praying for yourself and family. We will eventually come out of this better and live our lives again to the glory of God.