3 Things Every Christian Must Know During COVID-19
By Robert Hotchkin
We are in the midst of some really interesting and challenging times. There is all sorts of information, theory, confusion, opinion and conjecture swirling about in regards to this COVID-19 CCP Coronavirus pandemic.
Some voices are shouting that the virus is a man-made conspiracy meant to “thin the herd” with a bio-weapon. Other voices are barking that it is a natural occurrence and evidence that the earth is trying to “shake off” humanity so it can rebalance its ecosystem. Then there are voices screaming that this is the judgment of a wrathful God. And others blaring that it is all a scam – just a deep state power grab and suppression of civil rights.
On top of all that, we also have a cacophony of opinions about the best way to deal with the virus. Some say masks and gloves help. Others say they have little or no effect. There are those who claim ventilators are part of the solution. Others say, no, ventilators might actually work to weaken the lungs. And then we probably don’t even have room to get into all the conjecture, theories and arguments about the best drug treatments and vaccine approaches.
What are we to listen to? What can we trust? What are we to believe?
As is always the case for Christians, the best person to listen to is Jesus. He actually taught into this very type of situation more than 2,000 years ago in Matthew 16:13-20.
Remember the story? He and the disciples are coming into the region of Caesarea Philippi. As they do, Jesus asks His followers what the report of the world is about Him. The disciples tell Him that some sources say He is John the Baptist, while other voices are declaring he is Elijah, and then there are those who say He is Jeremiah, and still more proclaiming that He is one of the other prophets.
Jesus gives no heed to any of that. He doesn’t even address all the theories and opinions being blared out by His day’s version of CNN, MSNBC and Fox. Instead, He asks them, “Who do you say that I am?”
When Simon Peter responds that Jesus is the Messiah, the Lord says something truly profound that speaks into the very situation we are facing with the swirl of COVID-19 news, media, theory, information and conspiracy:
“Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.” (Matthew 16:17-18 NKJV emphasis added)
Jesus is giving Simon Peter kudos for being able to “hear” past the noise of all the voices and opinions and conjecture and agenda and politics of the world, and instead tune into what heaven is speaking and revealing about the situation. Jesus is showing His disciples then, and all of us now, that the key to thriving and even being blessed in challenging times is to focus on heavenly truth as opposed to earthly debate. When we do this, He reveals, we will be established in truth, built upon the rock, and empowered as His church and Body. The result will be that nothing of hell will be able to prevail in the earth no matter how well fortified those demonic strongholds seem to be.
So, with that in mind, let’s look at three key heavenly truths that are critical for every Christian to know, and live from, right now.
[1] WHO GOD IS
Who do you say God is during this pandemic? In seasons of great challenge and need, what you believe about God is huge. The Lord is the same yesterday, today and forever (see Hebrews 13:8). That means we should not allow our temporary circumstances to impact our revelation of who God is and what God is like. Just the opposite. We should allow our revelation of who God always is, and what He is always like, to impact our circumstances. No matter what is going on in the ever-changing happenings in the earth, the one thing we can count on is that God is the Lord and He does not change (see Malachi 3:6). That means that God is still God. He is still healer. He is still deliverer. He is still provider. He is still protector. He is still good, and He is still well able to bring about the very best results in this current set of circumstances. COVID-19 has not changed who God is to you, for you, or with you.
[2] WHO YOU ARE
There is a reason you did not go home to heaven as soon as you got saved. It’s because you have a key role to play for the Kingdom here in the earth. When you said yes to Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you were not only forgiven of your sins and restored to relationship with your Heavenly Father for all eternity. You were also restored to the plan He has had since Day Six – to have children made in His image who operate in His deputized authority and Holy Spirit power as His dominion stewards in the earth. You want to know what God’s plan is to deal with COVID-19? Look in the Word (see Genesis 1:26-28). Then look in the mirror. It’s you! He knows it (see Luke 10:19). He needs you to know it. So that you start operating in the power and authority He has given you to heal the sick, raise the dead, feed the hungry, bring peace to the panicked, send forth His never-failing Word in intercession, pray for our leaders, and basically arise and shine because there is darkness in the earth that needs dealt with (see Matthew 10:1, 8; Matthew 14:16; Isaiah 55:11; 1 Timothy 2:1-4; Isaiah 60:1-1, and John 14:12)!
[3] ALL THAT YOU HAVE
2 Peter 1:3 is a great scripture to be meditating on right now. It reminds you that by God’s great and divine power, He has blessed you with everything pertaining to life and godliness. Did you catch that? EVERYTHING. Isn’t that amazing?! Whatever you need for everyday life – He has blessed you with it. Whatever you need to put God on display through your life – He has blessed you with it. Not will bless you with it one day in the sweet by-and-by if you are good. But has blessed you with it here and now because He is amazing. So no need to panic. No need to fear. No need to hoard. You have it. And He will lead you into all of it (see Psalm 23:1-3). This will allow you to look, sound and act differently than the rest of the world right now. To be at peace when others are anxious. To be confident when others are shaken. To be a source of blessing, encouragement, wisdom, solutions, love, compassion, joy and much, much more when others are feeling bereft. As you look and sound different from the rest of the world, the world will eventually take notice and ask why. That’s when you get to share with them the greatest thing you have been blessed with – Jesus!
Don’t let the WHO, Fox News, CNN, MSNBC, YouTube, your next-door neighbors, or anyone or anything else tell you what is true right now. Let the Word of the Lord speak to you. Let eternal truth remind you. Let your Heavenly Father and His Holy Spirit edify, encourage and empower you. Let them remind you who God is, who you are, and all that you have been blessed with in Christ Jesus. Because when you do, COVID-19 will not stand. And neither will anything else hell tries to send at you.
Robert Hotchkin is an author, minister, speaker and media host. He is the founder of Men on the Frontlines, and one of the core leaders of Patricia King Ministries. He hosts the weekly Heroes Arise broadcast, co-hosts the show Propel with Patricia King, and is a regular guest and co-host of the show Supernatural Life on GodTV. Robert’s newest book, 31 Decrees of Blessing for Men, is a powerful daily devotional that activates men to walk in all that they have been blessed with as sons of God.
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Tony Francis is from the Middle East. He is grounded in the scriptures and has a licensed degree in biblical studies from MTI, the school of ministry, and a certificate in EPL (effective personal leadership) from LMI. He has authored many books and is the founder of Healed Nations Ministries (www.healednations.com). Tony mentors people in the prophetic and served as the prophetic leader of Patricia King's ministries. Tony is studying to be a mental health coach.
www.healednations.com
