Finding hope when everything comes against hope can only be accomplished if we focus on truth. Jesus’ words, “You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free” have never been more significant than they are today amidst the tremendous chaos and anarchy we’ve experienced.
Many are having difficulty getting their heads around recent events. Many are suffering great losses, while others are given over to fear and panic. What are the solutions we need? I offer a few with my heart’s desire to help us all heal and become whole, operating in the full authority and power of Christ, He wants us to.
I believe we’re at a unique point on God’s timeline intended by Him to reset the entire world. The worldwide event of the pandemic was generated by the enemy of God to bring sickness, death and destruction. However, nothing the enemy ever does will overcome God’s people. That’s not to say God’s people are exempt from harm or the work of the enemy. Quite the contrary–God’s people are targets of the enemy. While we may not be utterly overcome, we can be adversely impacted, even devastated at times. At such times it is imperative we search for and intentionally remain focused on truth.
Many of us are familiar with John 8:32. However, it’s important to understand the passage in context. In verse 31, responding to the Jews who believed Him Jesus said, “If you continue in My word, you are truly My disciples. Then you shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free.” The condition required for us to know the truth that sets us free is to continue in God’s word as Christ’s disciples. When we are satisfying this condition, we cannot be overwhelmed by any effort of the enemy. Hope of restoration is certain for those who are wholly engaged as Christ’s disciples.
When the COVID-19 outbreak was first announced I was annoyed. I know all sickness comes from the enemy and I knew as a child of God I can stand firm on His promises. By submitting myself to God and resisting the devil I can avoid the enemy’s tactics. (James 4:7). Like John 8:32 incorrectly being cited without 8:31, James 4:7 is often quoted without the initial step of submitting ourselves to God. Simply resisting the devil in our own ability, does not work. Being an engaged disciple of Jesus allows us to discern the times and events to know how to best respond.
I firmly believe the enemy of God is in a panic, which is why we’ve seen such destruction and anarchy in our nation. This is why we’ve received conflicting reports from media about the spread, danger and duration of the coronavirus. The enemy is panicked and wants to wreck havoc and bring chaos to our land. As much as it may appear the causes of the upheaval is Democrat vs. Republican over the election, or Black against White racial bias, the truth is it’s a matter of good vs. evil. Evil has been increasing in our nation for decades, while the restraining power of the Church has timidly been reduced. The Church, meaning all who believe in Christ, has been influenced by the world of evil, instead of the Church pushing back evil in the world. It’s come to a point for God, just as we repeatedly seen in the Old Testament, where the remnant of God has called out consistent with 2 Chronicles 7:14, with repentant hearts asking God to intervene. The enemy senses God is about to answer these prayers and he’s pulled out all stops to destroy the hope and faith of everyone, even God’s people, if that were possible.
When health experts began instructing our leadership regarding how the public must respond, I was annoyed. It wasn’t that I didn’t understand the potential for the coronavirus, but I knew the realities of other viruses and the statistics of illness and deaths we experience annually in this country with them. When the mandate came for us to shelter in place and the government decided what were essential and non-essential businesses and services, I became angry. Clearly loss of income and jobs would follow and this over a virus that was an unknown, with models and projections changing almost daily. Seeing the power and control the governments are having over the people of their nations worldwide, seems to be a “dress rehearsal” for the ultimate end-time oppressive control of the anti-Christ. People who otherwise use sound logic and reason, became fearful and highly intimidated, responding in subjection without even questioning the validity of the control. Herd mentality took over as people hoarded food and supplies without any consideration of their neighbor. The unspoken mantra was “every man for himself.”
Then, just as the country was beginning to open up, the enemy interfered again and brought about the unfortunate death of George Floyd, igniting a wild fire of protests decrying racism and disproportionate response of police against men of the black community. For a second time, and like the first just before the presidential elections, the Black Lives Matter campaign swept the nation. Power mongering opportunists, took advantage of the peaceful protests and quickly turned peaceful protests into anarchy, destruction, looting, injuries and deaths. Watching these events take place it was clear Antifa and Antifi-like groups were being instructed to bring about destruction and greater division. I saw several videos where peaceful black citizens called out those who were bringing destruction making it clear they did not represent the values of the black community. Another video with showed a black police officer being assaulted by a group of people with the caption “Black lives matter unless you are a cop.” Again actual historical records reveal if police are disproportionate in their arrest of blacks. As Candace Owns expressed, the percent of people who commit crimes according to race must be taken into consideration.
Does any of this actually represent the values and morals the majority of people you know have? No. By comparison it is a very small group that through violence and threat seek control over the masses. Sadly, we’ve seen and will be seeing more and more revealed about the corruption in high places. Gratefully, one of the prophetic words spoken over 2020 was that this would be a year of justice. To make sense out of all we’ve experienced, we need to understand the enemy is conducting a “Death Blossom” maneuver which is to indiscriminately spray fire in all directions to cause as much deflective damage as possible. Clearly the enemy fears what is about to occur at the mere word of God.
When we see all manner of evil increasing, we must remain focused on who God is and what He has promised. The evidence of overwhelming chaos and destruction is our clue that the Lord is about to do a powerful work among us. We must focus on the power and promises of God which is far greater than anything the enemy can muster. We must put on the full armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18) and having done all we can we are then to stand, firm, strong, defiant and confident of who we are in Christ, and who God is for us. The hope of restoration is certain, for God has already done all necessary to redeem the whole world. His final redemption and ultimate judgement of the world is going to happen. Until that day, we must focus on the many truths God has revealed so we can discern events, withstand the onslaughts of the enemy, and find peace that passes understanding in the midst of it all.
I sincerely hope these words of truth bring comfort to your soul and peace to your mind. And by hope I mean biblical hope which is a confident expectation as opposed to wishful thinking. I not only welcome your comments, I eagerly look for them. If you think this post would be helpful for anyone you know, please send them the link to the URL so they can be comforted and fortified. Also, consider sharing using the social media share buttons to your social media pages.
My most recent books will likely offer you additional help: Prepare for the Harvest! Confidence in God’s End-Time Promises and Prepare for the Harvest! God’s Challenge to the Church Today. Both available at all online retailers. Consider shopping here to support Christian bookstores.
Your privacy is always respected and protected.
I read this with a heavy heart and my burden felt kind. I yearn and thirst for GOD but just so unsure the right way to go about it. I get afraid and paranoid. I just want a close relationship with GOD. Help me in this journey please
Bless you Temi. Feeling afraid and paranoid is evidence of the enemy of God seeking to prevent you from embracing Jesus. He does this to all of us. The Bible is supreme and provides us with God’s Word and will for our lives. Romans 10:9 reads: “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” It is truly that simple. The enemy tries to make it more difficult. Remember the enemy is the father of all lies. He’ll lie to those who have believed in their heart and confessed with their lips, to get them to believe they are not saved. This is why it’s important for us to know the truth and remain focused on it, rejecting anything that opposes the truth of God’s Word. Your desire for the Lord is evidence your heart is enlightened to truth. Work at being intentionally focused on truth and you will be set free. (John 8:32)