DISCERNING THE TIME

I shared this study with some brethren during the lockdown. And I decided to post the study here as well for others to benefit. Though I posted it here a bit late, but I believe someone will still learn from the message especially in a time like this.

Topic: Discerning the Time

While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child (Luke 2:6 NET)

Text: Luke 2:1-20

Introduction

As we know, the world is facing a pandemic because of corona virus (Covid-19). Those in medical science have not been able to find a cure. Governments all over the world have put in place measures to contain the spread. There is no definitive end at sight yet. Many are dying in their numbers, and many are reported sick of the virus on daily basis. All these are happening in the same world that we as Christians dwell. So, the question is “What should be our attitude or approach in this time?”

Outlines:

• Be reminded that God loves the world
• Tune to the news from heaven

Be reminded that God loves the world

One thing we know is that God loves the world (John 3:16). No one is going to pray to God and ask Him to love the world. You do not need to convince Him to love the world. By Himself, He loves the world. And by Himself, He sent His ONLY begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to save the world. So, when it comes to the world, we know that God knows what He is doing and is in total control.

Those who do not believe in God may not know this fact that God loves the world. Or sometimes those who believe in God tend to forget that God truly means it when He says that He loves the world. Challenges of life can make us forget that God deeply loves the world, and even gave His only begotten Son to save the world.

The worth of something is a function of the price you place on it. So, God did not just claim to love the world, He proved it by sending His ONLY son to save the world. Hence, if you know for sure that God truly loves the world, you will not be moved when certain things begin to happen in the world. For God will not allow the world that He loves to be destroyed if it is not in His own terms.

No matter how the virus is ravaging the world, it cannot go out of God’s control. It could be out of the control of man, but never out of the control of God. It might have taken man unawares, but nothing takes God unawares. God was aware of covid-19 even before it began to manifest.

If the world is panicking because of covid-19, God is not panicking. And likewise, those who are God’s people are not supposed to panic. If it is going to take a virus for the world to pause or recess, and think about Him, why not? Whatever it takes for the world to stop and pay attention to God, He will do it out of love. He will not do it because He hates the world but because He loves the world.

Someone may ask, but what about the people dying because of the virus? Where is the show of love in the death of people? But then you ask, how many people died every day even when the virus was not there. We do not get to hear about such deaths because they do not seem a global threat like covid-19.

Just take a moment to consider the number of souls killed daily because certain governments legalize abortion. You know the number of people that die of starvation because of neglect. The number of people that commit suicide. The number of people killed by terrorist groups. The number of people that die in accidents due to bad roads meant to be fixed by government or people in authority.

The number of people that die daily even without covid-19 is enormous, but we do not hear about them, as they seem not to be global threat. But these are deaths that God sees on daily basis. So, if He is going to use plague, just like He did to Pharaoh, to get the attention of obstinate people, He will do it.

There is a reason death has not been destroyed by God. Death is the last enemy to be destroyed (1 Corinthians 15:26). Why? God still uses death as a tool to bring to pass His will. The way we see death is different from the way God sees death, else He would have destroyed death together with sin.

The question we should be asking ourselves is “How is our relationship with God?” If you are on the right side with Him, there is nothing to fear including death. Everything including death is under God’s control. So, take away fear of the virus which can only kill the body, and rather fear God who can kill both the body and soul in hell. Even if the virus was created by men, we are not to fear them as well. (Matthew 10:28).

God’s love for the world is not in question. The question is “Do you love God, do you know your divine assignment or your calling, or rather do you know that as a believer you are called by God and left back in the world for a reason?”

In Romans chapter 8 verse 28, we read “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”

If you love God, and called according to His purpose, then be rest assured that all things work together for your good. God can use both good and bad things, and make them work together for your good.

So, watch out for the good that God wants to bring out from this pandemic for those who love Him and are called by Him according His purpose. Namely:

• Opportunities for soul wining
• Unusual wealth transfer or business opportunities
• Strategies for sustenance during the pandemic (God sustained Elijah for 3 years 6 months during famine. God sustained Israelites for 40 years in the wilderness. He is still the same God that we serve and will sustain us as well).

Tune to the news from heaven

In our text, we see that Joseph and Mary going to Bethlehem was as a result of government’s decree, yet it coincided with the time for Jesus to be born in Bethlehem as prophesied (Micah 5:2).

It was not that Joseph told Mary that it is time for Jesus to be born, so let us go to Bethlehem as prophesied. No. That was not what happened. It took a decree from government for that to happen. We see government sometimes, playing a part in bringing to pass the fulfilment of God’s purpose.

In the news, the public will hear about the government decree. They will hear about the need to be numbered. They will hear about taxes to be paid. Everyone will talk about the need for logistics to travel back to their home towns and the inconveniences. Many more things will be said in the public news.

But in the midst of all that, something was happening silently which was not known to the public. A prophecy about the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem was getting fulfilled. Angels came down from heaven and informed the shepherds in the field about it (Luke 2:8-13). People like Simeon was aware of the time and expectant (Luke 2:25-32). The three wise men from the East were aware (Matthew 2:1-2).

The news you hear on the radio, depends on the frequency you tune to. If you tune to the world for instance, you will hear everything the world wants you to hear which could be facts. If you tune to heaven, you will hear silent news from heaven.

Sit-at-home decree is here and the world carries many news covering COVID-19, 5G, etc. These are facts. But in the midst of these, heaven will be visiting many homes silently. Many homes will be visited and empowered by the Lord during this period. Avoid distractions and controversies.

Just think of it. If a man of God or a prophet had announced to the world to shut down businesses and places of worship and for them to go back home and wait upon the Lord together with their loved ones, no one would have listened to him. But we see it happening now and people are forced to comply through government decree as a result of the pandemic. All things work together for good…

The sit-at-home decree has presented rare opportunity for people to have enough time for God. Majority of people cannot give reasons why they do not have enough time to spend in the Lords presence. Businesses are closed. Churches are closed. Wedding and burial ceremonies are on hold. Everything that usually occupy people are on hold. So, many people have no excuse not to spend time alone with God. Lots of families will not complain of no time. Hence, this is time for so many people to build intimate relationship with God and be better equipped for life after covid-19.

Things will never remain the same after covid-19. A new breed of fearless and powerful believers will emerge for the harvest of souls. People of God should take this time to prepare themselves or get ready. Every home is to become church now, and have time to hear from God, both from the scriptures and by revelations. We can pray, we can preach, but there are things that only happen when we spend quality time in the Lord’s presence. It was when the disciples waited in the upper room that their lives became more impactful thereafter (Acts1&2).

Hence, during this time, every home is expected to:

• Spend time praying together in one accord
• Spend time studying the scriptures
• Be expectant of the Lord’s visitation

In conclusion

What the enemy can do is to try to hijack this moment and try to use it against the Lord’s people. But God is always ahead of the devil in whatever evil plan he has against His people in this moment. It was in a dream at night that Joseph was informed to take Jesus away when Herod wanted to kill Him the following day. Joseph was not aware of Herod’s plan, but heaven was aware, pre informed him and saved them from massacre that took the life of all male children below 2 years in Bethlehem and in all its district (Matthew 2:13-18). The devil could get a knowledge of what God wants to do in your life and would want to stop you. Nevertheless, as long as we are in tune with heaven, God will keep us safe and give us strategies to survive this moment.