The COVID19 pandemic is both a natural occurrence and a spiritual attack.

~ Lisa Blair

Hello Brothers and Sisters,

God calls us to participate in corporate gatherings, but church, as usual, is not possible in many parts of the world, including the United States. The pandemic is changing the way we attend church. It is safe to say that the church is under attack, and the pandemic is a tool to diminish our walk and weaken our resolve as Christians. I am not saying the coronavirus does not have natural causation. I am saying that it is being used as a tool or weapon against believers.

Two things are simultaneously occurring:

1) churches, businesses, and other institutions are closing to slow the spread of the pandemic,

2) the virus is being used by the evil one to destroy its’ adversary, the church.

As Christians, we are well aware of the ongoing spiritual battle. Satan is using the pandemic to strip the church. The Lord is using it to strengthen us, make us wiser and more alert. Isaiah 54:17 says, no weapon formed against us shall prosper. The battle rages, but we are already victorious. The 91^st Psalm says we must abide in the presence of the Lord, who gives us refuge and protects us from danger, specifically from plagues.

First Corinthians describes how God wants believers to live amid a corrupt culture and dark times. We not only live in a corrupt culture but are experiencing a pandemic, definitely dark times. Scripture instructs us to put our faith in Jesus. Our faith should not be in the wisdom of men but the power of God (1 Corinthians 2:5). If we do so, when times get hard, those who do not have a relationship with God can take courage from those of us who are believers, if we maintain and display our trust in the Lord (Charles Stanley).

God not only provides refuge but also gave us armor to protect ourselves as we enter the battle before us. Paul writes in Ephesians 6, be strong in the Lord and the power of His might. He further instructs us to put on the armor to withstand the evil day, which is happening now, and having done all, to stand. Stand as our church’s close, stand as our livelihood may be affected, stand if our health is attacked, stand when the days feel dark, and stand until we see the light of day.

The scriptures inform us that 1) ‘this is the day the Lord has made’; and 2) ‘we were created for such a time as this.’ During this season of our lives, we should hold fast to our faith and trust that God will bring us through. We must continue to stay in prayer at all costs. Our lives depend upon it. Our faith gives us the strength to trust in God’s peace, regardless of what is going on around us, and helps us endure whatever is ahead.

Mark 13 emphasizes that God wants his people to wake up and not be deceived or unaware of what is going on around us. All that we see through the visible eye is not what is happening on the invisible plane. The war is raging and we are the church. As the church, we are on the front line and must stay in prayer to effectively turn the tide of this natural disaster.