I know this time of “safer at home” directives have been hard for a lot of people. Many are panicking, struggling with fear, loneliness, etc. I guess because I am a melancholy/phlegmatic personality and used to spending plenty of time alone, that has not really bothered me, but listening to too much news about the corona virus can begin to drag you down. I have found that spending more time reading my Bible, especially focusing on the promises of God for healing, protection and provision is very encouraging and also, putting on some praise and worship music and spending time in prayer and intercession for others. The Bible says that God inhabits the praises of His people and music that is anointed by God can definitely lift the spirit. I am trying to turn this time into a time of being “locked in with God.”
I sensed the Lord impressing on me Habakkuk 3:17-19, which says: 17 Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, 18 Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior. 19 The Sovereign Lord is my strength; He makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to stand on the heights. (NIV).
Habakkuk lived in a time of famine, lack of food and provision, along with violence, mistreatment of the poor, a collapse of the legal system and war going on all around his country. If you read through the first couple of chapters of the book, you can tell he was very discouraged, but he came to a place of rejoicing in the Lord, even in a time of sorrow.
As Christians, we are not promised that our conditions will always be pleasant, but there is a place in God where you can have peace in the midst of the storm and joy even in the midst of sorrow or trouble. The Bible says the Lord turns our weaknesses into strength (Hebrews 11:34). I remember reading that a deer’s hooves are specially adapted to be able to stand and climb on the mountainous high places, so the prophet was saying that the Lord adapts us to be able to not only stand, but to climb and make progress, even in difficult places (times of trial and testing).
I think the question we need to ask is what is God’s purpose for us right now, during this season? Last year I shared a dream my husband had about a mighty outpouring of the Holy Spirit that I believe the Lord is getting us ready for. In the dream, my husband said the presence (glory) of God settled down like a cloud in the room and was healing people and miracles were happening without anyone having to lay hands on them or pray for them and His presence was so intense that he thought some people might die (especially people who were playing games with the Lord like Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5). The Lord spoke to my heart that before that happens, there would have to be a move of holiness to get us ready for it (and I have heard several prophetic other people say the same thing). The Lord has also given me other dreams, which I have shared recently, about a lack of hunger in the body of Christ. I believe the Lord is using what we are going through right now to get us ready for that glorious outpouring of the Holy Spirit that the Lord showed my husband.
I believe this is a time for:
Reflection, Reexamination & Realignment. I Corinthians 11:31-32 says “For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world”, (NKJ). In other words, if we would examine our own hearts and lives and be willing to make changes, as the Lord convicts us, then the Lord would not have to chasten us or allow things to happen to bring correction in our lives.
As I was praying this last week, the Lord began to speak to my heart that because He loves us (the body of Christ and the world) so much, that He is allowing us to go through this (pandemic and time of isolation). Often we are so busy just living our lives and allowing our lives to run us that we don’t take time to really seek the Lord and think about whether we have our priorities right (are His priorities our priorities?). Are we doing what He has called us to do with our lives? Are we living our lives in a way that is pleasing and acceptable to the Lord or do we have idols that we need to get rid of? An idol is anything that we allow to take the place of or be more important than the Lord in our lives. Are we walking in obedience to God? Ist Peter 1:15-16 says “But as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.” (NKJ).
The Bible also says that God is not willing that any should perish, but all should come to repentance (II Peter 3:9). Repent means to change your heart and your mind and to turn (away from your sins, wrong mindsets, etc.). I don’t believe this pandemic is from the Lord, but obviously, He has allowed it and I believe He is using it (and the time of isolation) to try to get people to turn to Him. While we tend to be more concerned with our own comfort, the Lord is more interested in seeing people get saved and getting them ready for heaven. I believe this is part of the re-alignment and the change in our priorities the Lord is calling for.
Resurrection, Expansion & Completion. I have had a couple of dreams recently, where I believe the Lord was showing me that I have gifts and abilities that I didn’t realize I had and others that looked like they were dead that were going to be resurrected, expanded and completed. I believe this is not only a word for me, but for many in the body of Christ. This is a time for, resurrection, expansion and completion. That may mean getting training, going to school, studying, etc.; whatever you need to do to get yourself prepared to do what God has called you to do. I believe this is a time to be about our Father’s business. God bless you all. Stay locked-in with Jesus. Kelly Rowe
A Deeper Walk 