Isaiah 58: 6-9 in the Coronavirus world

I inadvertently turned on the dome light of my car when I pushed the remote garage door button on my visor and never noticed it. Results a dead battery. When it was discovered last Friday, I thought, no big deal grab the jumper cables and jump start it from RuthAnn’s car battery. First problem. I could not find our jumper cables. Where were they? After much deliberation, after all both of us take longer these days firing up the memory synapse, it was remembered that the cables had been loaned out and never returned. This led to the second problem in the age of the Coronavirus, Georgia had just been put under a ‘Stay at Home’ edict and I had read the definition declaring travel and mingling in public only for essential matters. I scanned through the order again, nope, nothing about dead batteries. I was in a quandary. I knew it was not good for the car and all its computerized stuff to remain dead until my weekly trip to Walmart four days away but could I in all good conscience venture out. This is the world we now live in.

It seems like just yesterday that minor decisions like running to Walmart for anything or maybe just to wander the store with the rest of the thrifty, took no thought at all. All of that has changed. In less than a month we have gone from the freest people on the face of the earth to being one step away from Martial Law. Let me stop right there. I am not here to discuss the pros or cons of the political ramifications of any of this. No, far from it! It is just that as I sit thinking about all of it this morning, I am realizing how for granted I have taken the blessings I and we as a people have. And that led me to think about, as I have so much over these last few weeks, those who do not have the freedoms you and I do, the poor, the homeless, the aged and those in prison. Why did it take a major catastrophe to bring this to the forefront in my mind?

Sure, I normally believed I had compassion for all these folks but did l really? To answer this question, I needed to look to the source of all God’s thoughts for us, the Bible and turn to the book of Isaiah:

“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter- when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard. Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.” Isaiah 58: 6-9.

I have known these verses. I have even stood in the pulpit and preached about them. Yet in these troubled times, I have to admit they have cut me deep. And the worst part of it is that I realize how little right now I can do. Social distancing and Stay at Home orders have now become the wall that seems higher than I can climb the chasm to wide and too deep for me to bridge. But folks, that is how Satan is trying to mess with us even more than the virus and its complications themselves, the lie that we can do little or nothing. The truth is right now we have more opportunities than ever to live according to the words of Jesus:

“”You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5: 14-16

So, I thought I would list a few things that you can do. They will not eliminate all suffering and if you are at high risk or are sick yourself need to be smart and cautious about it, but even if you are homebound:

• Call someone you know who is alone and in need of an encouraging word. It might seem simple but sharing the love of Jesus is so important.
• Write cards or notes to a Nursing home or maybe a prison. You can call a local home and find out if they are accepting cards and how they will be doing it. RuthAnn called one the school children visit regularly, and they said to address the card to the home director with a note saying the card is to be given to a person who needs an encouragement. They cannot give out names. If you know a person in one of these homes, you can write directly.
• Make cloth facemasks. There are several online instructions for making masks. The government has recommended that ALL of us wear masks when we are in a public place like a store. Our Community Service is looking for homemade masks to put into our emergency food bags. If you are in the Macon Georgia area you can contact me at this website or call: 478-390-2173. Or contact a local agency in need of these masks
• When you are out shopping check if a shut-in neighbor or a person you know is in need. Call them and ask if you can shop for them. Take all precautions to not pass on the virus. There are many recommendations online on how to do this.
• Look for organizations that are on the frontlines caring for the homeless and needy. Give what you can to support these folks at this time. They are being overwhelmed. Again, they are easy to find for your local area online.
• PRAY! Please do not overlook this amazing tool. Ask for the Holy Spirit to lead you in how to be aligned with Isaiah 58: 6-9. Do not be overwhelmed but daily listen for his guidance what you can do that day.

There are many other things we can do. And aswWe all are struggling in this new world we live in. It is so important to be in God’s Word and believe promises like this:

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10.

I did go to Walmart last Friday, masked and with surgical gloves on. The jumper cables did the trick, but I am not sure the car battery wasn’t permanently damaged by the incident. I will have to make another decision to get a replacement battery. Such is our world. Even as it is, I am happy to be here and seek this day to be willing to do all the Lord asked me to do. I pray this will spark your interest to stay involved in these troubled times. Be Safe!!

Blessings

John

4/6/20

Author: John

Christian blogger View all posts by John