This year, 2020, has given the world and America a shaking. A shaking that has caused the spirit of fear to consume the world and stop nations in their tracks. The United States of America has experienced what has previous only been seen in other countries or on TV. What was once only talk has become reality in the lives of the American people. As America has cowered in fear, God has been searching for His church, the Bride of Christ. If the church had a conversation with God, would it possibly go something like this one below?
Conversation
God: Where are you my people?
Church: We are here God, we haven’t gone anywhere.
God: I cannot find you. Where are you?
Church: We are here God. We are in our homes.
God: Why are you in your homes?
Church: The government told us to stay home to protect our lives and those of our families and our neighbors. There is a virus that has been ravaging our nation and the world.
God: Am I not the Creator of the World? Did I not foretell of pestilences and disease? (Genesis 1:1, Psalm 103:3)
Church: Yes, Lord, but we have no cure for this one.
God: My people, did I not create you? And why do you fear death? Did I not tell you that there is eternal life with me? (Genesis 1:27, Genesis 5:1, Isaiah 45:12, Revelation 4:11, John 3:15, Titus 1:2, I John 2:25, John 10:28)
Church: Yes, Lord, but fear has overpowered us.
God: Did I not tell you to bring all your anxieties to me in prayer, supplication and thanksgiving? Did I not tell you that you are not to be afraid? Does my Word not say I have not given you a spirit of fear but instead one of power and of love and of a sound mind? (Philippians 4:6, II Timothy 1:7, Luke 21:9, Proverbs 3:25)
Church: Yes, Lord, but our government, health officials, and even pastors are telling us to be safe and stay home. The government told us assembling together wasn’t safe. You told us to obey the government.
God: Did I not tell you to trust in Me and not man? Have I not told to you to not foresake assembling, especially as you see the Day approaching? (Jeremiah 17:7, Hebrews 10:25, Psalm 118:8)
Church: Yes, Lord, but these people have education and knowledge and experience.
God: Have you not read that I am greater than anyone and anything? Do you not remember that I am the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end? Do I not tell you that I am who was, who is and who is to come? (Job 33:12, Revelation 22:13, Revelation 1:8)
Church: Yes, Lord.
God: Then come back to me. I am waiting. Gather and assemble and encourage one another. Return to me. Let me know you love me. Come back to me. I am waiting. (2 Chronicles 7:14, Revelation 2:16)
Bible Verses
Bible verses from the references found throughout the post.
| Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. | Psalms 103:3 Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, |
| Genesis 1:27 So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. | Genesis 5:1 This is the book of the genealogy of Adam. In the day that God created man, He made him in the likeness of God. |
| Isaiah 45:12 I have made the earth, And created man on it. I—My hands—stretched out the heavens, And all their host I have commanded. | Revelation 4:11 “You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power; For You created all things, And by Your will they exist and were created.” |
| John 3:15 that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. | Titus 1:2 in hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began, |
| I John 2:25 And this is the promise that He has promised us—eternal life. | John 10:28 And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. |
| Revelation 1:8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” | Matthew 24:7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. |
| Luke 21:11 And there will be great earthquakes in various places, and famines and pestilences; and there will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven | John 10:28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out. |
| Philippians 4:6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; | II Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. |
| Luke 21:9 But when you hear of wars and commotions, do not be terrified; for these things must come to pass first, but the end will not come immediately.” | Proverbs 3:25 Do not be afraid of sudden terror, Nor of trouble from the wicked when it comes; |
| Jeremiah 17:7 “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. | Hebrews 10:25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. |
| Psalm 118:8 It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man. | Job 33:12 “Look, in this you are not righteous. I will answer you, For God is greater than man. |
| Revelation 22:13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.” | Revelation 1:8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” |
| 2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. | Revelation 2:16 Therefore repent. If not, I will come to you soon and war against them with the sword of my mouth. |
Note
This post was inspired by a statement in the sermon God is in Charge given by Pastor Jack Hibbs, Senior Pastor at Calvary Chapel Chino Hills.
God is waiting for the Church. – Pastor Jack Hibbs, Senior Pastor, Calvary Chapel Chino Hills (God is in Charge)
This article, published in 2021, reiterates the failure of so many pastors and the apostate condition of many churches. Still Silent Shepherds—An Open Letter To Post-Pandemic Pastors
