For a time, such as this!

Harshala Emmanuel - 10 February 2022

We greet you in the precious and wonderful name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ!

Friends, we do live in turbulent and uncertain times especially after the arrival of the global pandemic Covid-19. Nobody is spared, irrespective of nationality, race, colour, creed, or tribe, we are impacted in one way or the other, physically, emotionally, economically, socially, culturally, spiritually, and relationally.

It has now been over a year since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has claimed millions of lives and changed the ways in which each of us relates to and navigates the world. The Medical News Today (2021) reports that there have been more than 176.8 million COVID-19 cases globally and more than 3.8 million COVID-19-related deaths. Working remotely, increased redundancy and closing down of business are some of the deleterious effects. Home schooling has been on the rise. Social isolation, fear, anxiety, and loneliness have resulted in short-term and long-term health effects that cannot be ignored. This has led to increased cases of domestic violence, suicide, and disease-related deaths. The World Health Organisation (2020) states that the economic and social disruption caused by the pandemic is devastating, millions of people are at risk of falling into extreme poverty, undernutrition and unemployment.

On a positive note, people have actually drawn closer to their loved ones, are accessing previously untapped resources within themselves, and many are searching for the meaning of life and the Creator.

Hence the Holy Spirit gave this word of encouragement - ‘For a time such as this…’ For such a time as this, our Saviour and Lord Jesus Christ is the only answer.

John 10:10 (NKJV) reveals the true character and objective of the enemy (Satan) in comparison with that of our Lord Jesus: ‘The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I (Jesus) have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

1. For such a time as this, Jesus our Healer, Jehovah Rapha In John chapter 6, we see Jesus’ ministry in full force. Healing the sick: John 6:1-2 Jesus is followed by a great multitude of people to the Sea of Galilee because they saw the dramatic signs and wonders that He had performed on those who had all kinds of diseases. For such a time as today, right now, Jesus us our healer – body, soul, and spirit. What is it that you are asking of Him today? Come to Him, Jehovah Rapha the healer, with faith and boldness, for by his stripes we are healed. Isaiah 53:5 (NIV) – ‘But Jesus was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on Him, and by His wounds we are healed.
   

2. For such a time as this, Jesus our Provider, Jehovah Jireh In John 6:3-15, Jesus feeds the 5000. It was almost the time of the Passover, a feast of the Jews. Jesus asks Philip about feeding the multitude to which Philip says “Two hundred denarii worth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may have a little.” But Andrew finds the nameless little boy who willingly gives his two small fish and five barley loaves to Jesus. Jesus took the loaves, and when He had given thanks He distributed them to the disciples, who then fed 5000 men, and women and children, who were not counted. The people said, “This is truly the Prophet who is to come into the world.” People’s tummies are full; their physical need, hunger is met. In John 6:35-36, Jesus describes said to his disciples, “I am the Bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst. But I said to you that you have seen Me and yet do not believe.” Jesus points to the one and only means of salvation: belief in the One (Jesus) whom God has sent into the world. People do not recognize Jesus as the Bread of Life, even though they have seen more than enough evidence. Are we in that position today, friends? For such a time as this, are we worried about being made redundant, wondering how we will pray our mortgages, whether our work or PR visa will be granted, how our extended families overseas are managing for practical needs, like access to the right medical help, availability of oxygen cylinders and ventilators? Our Heavenly Father is not only concerned about our mortal bodies and our physical needs, but He is also concerned about our spiritual needs and eternal destiny, about rescuing us from a life of sin and eternal death. Have we truly surrendered our lives completely to Him?
   

3. For such a time as this, Jesus our Peace, Jehovah Shalom Fear and discouragement are two very frequently used and highly effective weapons of Satan. So that is why, our Lord often said to his disciples, “Fear not, I am with you”. The word fear is mentioned over 500 times in the Bible and God commands us, “fear not” over 365 times, one command for each day of the year. One example is Psalm 56. David has been seized by the Philistines and he starts to become afraid, but instead he puts his trust in the Lord. In John 6:16-21, Jesus calms the storm and walks on the Sea. Jesus departed again to the mountain by Himself alone, while his disciples got into the boat, and went over the sea toward Capernaum. Then the sea arose because a great wind was blowing. Suddenly, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and drawing near the boat; and they were afraid. But He said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.”. John 14:27 (NIV) “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” ‘Jehovah Shalom’, our God whose very name is peace, who brings peace in the midst of the chaos and storms of our lives. God counsels us not to be fearful, worried, or troubled; instead, He gives us His peace. Are stressed, worried, frustrated, burnt-out, at your wits end, or unable to eat of sleep normally? Then, come to Jehovah Shalom and trade your anxiety for His joy, His comfort, and His peace. He is the only one who can truly command His peace over your life, not a doctor, counsellor, or psychiatrist, but Jesus and Jesus alone. We have a choice; will you let Him bring His peace into your life today?
   

4. For such a time as this, Jesus our Keeper, Jehovah Shammah and Elohim ‘Elohim’ in Hebrew means God Almighty, the Creator, the Preserver, and the Keeper of His Covenant (the promise keeping God) (Ezekiel 48:35). Jehovah Shammah – Matt.28:20 Jesus tells his disciples, “I am with you always, even unto the end of the world”. John 6:37-40 Jesus our Keeper 37 All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out (reject). 38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.” Jesus has been talking to his disciples of his future suffering, imminent death, and temporary separation from them. Yet, He gives the assurance that He will keep his promise in the future.

• E.g., Jehovah gives Jacob this promise at Bethel when he is asleep in the wilderness with just a stone under his head as a pillow. “Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have spoken to you.” Gen.28:15
  

• Peter to share the sparrow incident.

The Bible is consistent from cover to cover. So along with God’s promise, there is a command. What does God expect of us?

1. Live a life of faith in Jesus, that is pleasing and acceptable to God every day. John 15:10 (NIV) – “If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love.” (Exodus 19:5, Deut. 5:9-10 & 11:13-14 and Proverbs 2:8)
   

2. Share the hope of the Gospel in thought, words, and deeds: There is a cost in being a Christian. We are to carry the cross that Christ has given us, though He makes our burdens light.

Psalm 121 5-8 (NIV) The Lord is our keeper; The Lord is our shade at our right hand. The sun shall not strike us by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord shall preserve us from all evil; He shall preserve our soul. The Lord shall preserve our going out and your coming in from this time forth, and even forevermore.

Psalm 91:3-7;15-16 (NIV) ‘Surely He will save us from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover us with his feathers, and under his wings we will find refuge; his faithfulness will be our shield and rampart. We will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. A thousand may fall at our side, ten thousand at our right hand, but it will not come near you. We will call on Jesus, and He will answer us; He will be with us in trouble, He will deliver us and honour us. With long life our Lord Jesus will satisfy us and show us His salvation.” For a time, such as this, Jesus is our answer. Amen.