Four prayerful observations from the Bible:
1.He’s removing our securities
“At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.” The words “once more” indicate the removing of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain.” (Heb 12:26-27)
At home most of the time, it’s undermining our securities in everything! God’s purpose is totally good, that believers may find satisfaction only in Him (and not look elsewhere) and that the unchurched will begin to look to Him for hope, for He is the ONLY HOPE.
God wants the best for all people and in the long term. Our time on earth is short, and He wants all peoples to receive eternal security, through friendship with Him. Earthly security lasts for a moment but eternal security lasts forever.
2.He’s preparing for a great Harvest
“Take your sickle and reap, because the time to reap has come, for the harvest of the earth is ripe.” (Rev 14:15)
In the future the Bible says that we’re going to see a lot more salvations. This is a great time to pray for those among our friends and family who don’t yet know the Lord. People will become more open to hear about the Gospel, so now’s the time to pray for God to speak, protect and save.
Half my relatives live in a region of the UK, which is at the time of writing has the greatest concentration of cases of coronavirus outside London, the worst affected area. So I’ve been praying for protection (and for all people) and for my relatives to hear the Lord more clearly.
Many times we don’t have the heart of God’s love for our family, friends and neighbours. God who is a loving Father weeps over those that don’t know Him. This is a wake up call for us!
3.He’s preparing for a great worldwide revival
It’s interesting that a great earthquake in San Francisco in 1906 preceded the Azusa Street Revival in the same year in Los Angeles that followed. Now of course God had been working and stirring people to pray well before this, but the massive earthquake made people think more about the eternal.
God uses great crises to help bring about great revivals to transform nations.
4.He’s preparing John the Baptist ministries
These Bible verses struck me recently:
In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah:
“A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’”
God is preparing for His Son’s return. How will He do this? Through raising up John the Baptist ministries. How are these raised up? In the desert. John wore camel’s clothes, ate locusts and had no entertainment. At home all day, believers can’t focus anymore on the materialistic and entertainment options are lessened. So they have more time to pray and are undistracted. The focus is on the coming Bridegroom.
Frank Bartleman, the revivalist who helped prepare the way for the Azuza Street Revival, said in his autobiography:
“Only the man who lives in fellowship with divine reality can be used to call people to God”
Desert times are essential preparation.
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So what now?
God is in control of all history and He wants all to come to know Him. So He is using the coronavirus to prepare us for a great harvest, a worldwide revival and getting us ready to meet with the Lord when He returns. So let’s invest out time in our homes praying and seeking the Lord, enjoying Him more and preparing the way for His great purposes in the world.
For more stories on revivals and Bible passages that will help get you ready for what God is going to do, do read my book GRACE OUTPOURINGS: 21 DAYS REVIVAL DEVOTIONAL for a great devotional experience.
For more on how to get ready see also 5 WAYS TO GET READY FOR A DIVINE VISITATION.