Have you ever been an exile? Can we say “2020 COVID19”?? I looked up the definition of exile, and it was explained as a prolonged separation or expulsion from one’s native land or home by force of circumstances.
As I have been reading in Isaiah, Ezekiel, Jeremiah, and Daniel, I’ve learned about the exile of the Jews to Babylon. These prophets were given words from God regarding His people who were captured and taken into exile by King Nebuchadnezzar II and the Babylonians.
- They were captured and moved to Babylonia.
- Daniel 9:12b Never has there been such a disaster as happened in Jerusalem.
- They were allowed to live in the same communities, farm, earn wages, and carry on their own traditions, but they were not in their home land.
- They would have to wait 70 years before they could return home.
- Many would die in Babylon, never seeing their homeland again.
- Many would never have seen or lived in Jerusalem by the time they return.
It was prophesied that after 70 years, the Jews would be allowed to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the city and temple, but could they believe this?? Many would never see their home again. Many would never have seen it at all! 70 years is a long time. But the prophets tried to give them hope from God.
Jeremiah 29:10-14 This is what the Lord says: “You will be in Babylon for seventy years. But then I will come and do for you all the good things I have promised, and I will bring you home again. 11 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. 12 In those days when you pray, I will listen. 13 If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. 14 I will be found by you,” says the Lord. “I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes. I will gather you out of the nations where I sent you and will bring you home again to your own land.”
God made several promises - to hear their prayers, be there when they looked for him wholeheartedly, and end their captivity/restore their fortunes. God always does what He says!
Now let us fast forward to 2020 in America. The year of the totally unexpected. The year of being “exiled” by the virus. By the “force of circumstances” from COVID-19:
Over 282,000 people have been displaced from their homes to hospitals or long-term care facilities with the coronavirus. They never saw their home again. They have died.
Never has there been such a pandemic in the US, not even the Spanish flu of 1918.
Like the Jews, people have been separated from their “regular, normal” lives, jobs, small businesses, relatives/friends, church communities, volunteer activities, and livelihoods. People are unable to leave their houses, except with face masks and observing social distancing. No hugs, no familiar greetings, and no physical touch.
We have witnessed what a disheartening and mentally-crushing situation this has been around the world.
People are tired, especially first responders and health care workers; people want to go back home and to their “regular, normal” lives,
Somehow, we all keep on putting one foot in front of the other in prayerful hope that this will come to an end soon, and we can return home. But what are we to do? Where is God in all of this?
There is hope in the following scripture. Solomon had finished building the Temple for the Lord, and the people praised God and worshipped Him through the offerings of sacrifices. Then the Lord appeared to Solomon one night and said that He had heard the prayers of His people and had chosen this house for a “place to myself for an house of sacrifice”. (2 Chronicles 7:12) Then the following words:
2 Chronicles 7:14-15 Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land. 15 My eyes will be open and my ears attentive to every prayer made in this place.
Do you think that 2 Chronicles is still true today? Why wouldn’t it be? God never changes. God heard their prayers and made several promises to forgive their sins, restore their land, and restore their “regular, normal” lives. God always does what He says!
God’s love for His people has been and will always be constant, especially seen in the Old Testament experiences. Sure, God got mad at his people when they turned from Him, but then He always provided a plan to restore His people to Him because He loved them/us so much.
Do you think He is showing us or trying to tell us something here? I thought He was “waking us up” on 9/11 as people thronged back to the church but wavered away a few months later. What about now? What can this mean? I believe God is allowing us to experience this pandemic so we can understand how much we need God! We need a wake-up call like never before!
I listened to a message yesterday on Whole Woman Conference, Inc. FaceBook page (go to WholeWomanConferenceInc on FaceBook and look for Session In Place video). The message was called “The Calm in the Storm”. The speaker retold the scripture in Matthew 14:22-33 when the disciples were crossing the sea in their boat and a severe storm approached. Jesus had gone to pray. The waves and wind were crashing against the boat, and the disciples were afraid. Jesus came walking on the water towards them when Peter asked Jesus to call him on the water. Peter got out of the boat and began to walk until he looked around and saw what was happening with the storm. At that moment, he became fearful and began to sink, but Jesus pulled him to safety.
There are two points which the speaker made: 1) Jesus had been praying for the disciples this entire time, and 2) Peter took his eyes off of Jesus.
As these storms/exiles of life continue to come, you and I MUST keep our eyes focused on Jesus. At the same time, we need to remember and be grateful that Jesus is praying for us at the right time and in the right way!
God has made several promises in scripture - to hear our prayers, be here when we look for him wholeheartedly, to end our captivity/restore our land/lives. God always does what He says!
So I ask again: But what are we to do? Where is God in all of this? He is waiting and wants to welcome us back into His arms. What should we do? We need to “RUN TO THE FATHER” as fast and hard as we can to show our love for Him!!!
You may listen by clicking on the song title, "Run to the Father".
Thanks for stopping by,
Rachel
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