This is NOT a Drill. [part 1]

To: My Brothers and Sisters in Christ  From: Your Sister, Monique Danae 

For the past month, I have faced grief, anxiety, fear, illness, overwhelming stress, loneliness, and pure exhaustion. Along that journey, I have prayed, I have sinned, I have repented, I have experienced sleepless nights, I have neglected my conversations with the Father, and again I have returned to [fervent] prayer...opening my heart and ears to clearly hear the voice of God. 

Today is Wednesday, March 25th, day 12(?) of isolation and “social distancing” due to the pandemic of COVID-19. I wish that I could tell you that I have spent every one of those days praying fervently, staying focused on my school work and maintaining healthy limits on my social media & news intake. However, I can say that I have done my diligence to educate myself from a medicine and public health perspective. I have done my diligence to educate others on ways to holistically manage our health & support our immune system through MODA Wellness. AND NOW, it is time for me to begin discussing what God is revealing to me during this global plague.

Whoa. Did I just call this a plague? YES. Come on, let’s look at some definitions…

Plague: 

(noun) an epidemic disease causing a high rate of mortality : Pestilence

(verb) to smite, infest, or afflict with or as if with disease, calamity, or natural evil; to cause worry or distress to

…did you know there is a plague of locusts currently in East Africa. 

In the words of my father during our family’s prayer call:

“This did not catch God by surprise” 

I believe that we serve a consistent God. Although we may have never experienced circumstances like these, this is not the first nor last time that God has allowed a plague upon the Earth. In fact, I spent some time this morning searching the scriptures in order to understand the circumstances of biblical plagues. In Exodus, chapters 7-12, we read that God sent TEN plagues to Egypt. I encourage you to read it for yourself (in a translation that you understand). Here, I will just present you with a few things that God showed me & the scriptures connected to that point. 

1. We ought to humble ourselves in prayer, continue to serve him, confess our sins, and turn from our sinful and wicked ways. This is not the time for us to harden our hearts regarding the word of God. [2 Chronicles 7:13-15; Exodus 10:3, 7,16-17, 20]
2. We ought to be praying over ourselves, our households and our families. Praying that the blood of the Lamb/of Christ, will cover our homes and protect us from that which brings death upon those who don’t know him. He will hear and honor our cry. [Exodus 12:2, 7-9, 12-14, 17; Exodus 15:26] 
3. God will use this time to show us favor in the midst of unbelievers. [Exodus 11:3]

My fellow Christians, during this time, it is imperative that God’s children are humbling ourselves in fervent prayer, repenting of our sins, lifting up our nation’s leaders in prayer, loving our neighbors, and showing extra care towards the poor, the elderly and to our own bodies. This is not the time for Christians to be lukewarm or lazy. This is not the time for Christians to act without seeking wisdom. This charge is rooted in the word of God. 

• 2 Chronicles 7:13-15 says “[13] When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command the locust to devour the land, or send pestilence among my people, [14] if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. [15]Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayer that is made in this place.
• Proverbs 11:14 says “For lack of guidance a nation falls, but victory is won through many advisers.”
• Matthew 25:34-40 says “[34]Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. [35] For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, [36] I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ [37] Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? [38] And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? [39] And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ [40] And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’
• Revelation 3:15-16 says [15] I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! [16] So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth
• Proverbs 4:6-7 says [6] Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. [7] The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.

Stay tuned, for the continuation of this blog series on following #MoWisdomWednesdays

& in the meantime, share this with a friend, then get on your knees & pray!