Trusting God in Perilous Times
Over the last two thousand years, Christians have been harshly persecuted and even killed for meeting together. The Fox’s Book of Martyrs is filled with many stories of fellow Christians being murdered for trusting Jesus as their Savior.
I know that many times Christians met in the dark or underground in communist countries like China or in Saudi Arabia where freedom to practice other religions besides Islam is prohibited, so they could hide from being found.
Yet, they still choose to meet together. They are trusting God even in perilous times. I’d say that is some serious faith because they trust God enough to meet together despite the risk of being punished or killed. Where has that type of faith gone?
Bible Verses:
Luke 18:8b; Matthew 24:7; Hebrews 10:25
“Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?” – Luke 18:8b
“For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places.” – Matthew 24:7
“Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.” – Hebrews 10:25
Intended Readers of Hebrews: Persecuted Christians
Although scholars and theologians do not necessarily agree as to the authorship of the epistle to the Hebrews, it is apparent that the recipients were believers (Hebrews 3:1) who had come to faith through the testimony of eyewitnesses of Christ (Hebrews 2:3). They were not new converts (Hebrews 5:12) and they had successfully endured hardships because of their stand for the gospel (Hebrews 10:32-34).
Unfortunately, they had become “dull of hearing” and were in danger of drifting away. This made them particularly susceptible to the renewed persecutions that were coming upon them, so the author found it necessary to check the downward spiral with a word of exhortation.
Participation in the Local Church
The ultimate reason that we should participate in a local church is that it is specifically commanded by God. It is the will of Christ that His disciples should assemble together for the worship of God and mutual edification. But it seems that even in the New Testament days some yielded to the temptation of absenting themselves from the worship services of the local church.
The writer of Hebrews points out that members of a local church have an obligation to one another. They are to provoke one another to good works and to exhort one another to live consistent lives worthy of God. This can best be done within the context of a local church, so believers are commanded not to forsake the assembling of themselves together.
Canceling Church in Perilous Times
Recently I have seen numerous churches cancel their regular gathering over a new strain of flu. At what point did Christians start listening to scientists or politicians when we are allowed to worship?
Faithful Christians did not listen to dictators. We are in a free country, so why now? I am shocked! Pastors are commending to not worship together, and congregations are not demanding a prayer meeting for God’s intervention or a time of worship.
Am I watching Luke 18:8 happen before my eyes? Have we forgotten that before the return of Christ, Matthew says there will be many pestilences? Maybe I should call them in modern terminology viruses or bacteria. It’s not as if this is the first time we are hearing of these things. Haven’t we experienced these before? And yes, these will result in pandemics before Christ’s return. Will we meet then?
It’s been over two thousand years since Jesus walked the earth. We have never been this close to Jesus’ return than now. Shouldn’t we be meeting more and more as Hebrews 10:25 says? How much do you trust God in these perilous times?
Get a copy of my book “Life According to the Truth.”
Book Summary
Do you know what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ? Did you know that God wants to prepare you during this life to live in heaven with Him? Does your purpose for life evade you?
In Life According to The Truth, a follower of Jesus Christ, Michael Heilman honestly writes to the issues facing the church and how to live the victorious Christian life.
Michael expounds on biblical principles God has applied to his life and led to God’s blessing in many areas of his life. With illustrations, humor, and most importantly scripture, he explains to any born again believer who is spiritually wandering through life, how to be spiritually blessed by God as a disciple of Jesus Christ.
In this devotional Bible study, you will be enlightened in regards to:
- Why God must be the key focus of your life
- How to love God
- How to love others
- How to discern God’s will for your life
- How to be confident with your identity in Jesus Christ
Life is difficult, but God can enable you to have abundant Joy. If you are a born-again believer that needs encouragement, this book is for you.
9 Replies to “Trusting God in Perilous Times”
Hi Michael,
How about now that home quarantine has been imposed in almost all countries affected by corona virus, would you not say that Christians must follow by cancelling church gatherings?
Here is what Brother Jess Cortez said regarding this:
“God has given us the wisdom to know what is the right thing to do at the right time. Had it been for selfish reasons to implement the cancellations, it is absolutely not right. However, it is for the reason of protecting other people that we may come in contact with (in case someone is a carrier). Truly, this is a spiritual battle and we can only cry out our hearts to the Lord for forgiveness and mercy.”
We also see a lot of posts on social media by Christians, citing biblical references for home quarantine, such as during the time of Moses when God specifically told them to stay home during the plague of the First Born in Exodus 11 &12.
There is also Isaiah 26:20 that says, “Come, my people, enter your chambers, And shut your doors behind you; Hide yourself, as it were, for a little moment, Until the indignation is past.”
What are your thoughts on these? Do you still believe that church gatherings must go on even if Christians have to disobey the governing authorities?
Hey Alice, if the government asked you jump off a bridge, would you do it?
Very few people worship at home. Many people don’t even know how to worship at church. I just listened to a song yesterday called Excuses. In the song the writer said, “Excuses, excuses, you’ll hear them every day, the devil will supply them, if the church you stay away.”
The virus and government are just excuses to not gather. I can guarantee they won’t have Christians over to their house either. I promise God is not pleased when we don’t gather. Compromising out of fear is wrong.
Is God still in control? ABSOLUTELY. Philippians 4:6 and 2 Timothy 1:7 says we should fear nothing. Where is our faith?
I totally get your point, Michael. But jumping off a bridge is another thing.
And by the way, you did not address the verses I quoted.
Of course, God is still in control. He promised to protect and shield us. But at the same time, He has also given us wisdom. To me, staying home during a plague does not indicate a lack of faith. I’m sorry but I’m gonna have to disagree with you on this.
Cancelling church gathering to protect not only ourselves but most especially members of our family who cannot protect themselves is not compromising. It is an exercise of wisdom and expression of love.
Can you bear the thought of possibly passing on the UNSEEN virus to a member of your family with a compromised immune system?
There are other ways by which we can still fellowship with God and share His love to others.
Blessings!
This is a slippery slope.
The government is making sure everyone will live in fear. The CDC just said the mortality rate is less than 1%. The common flu mortality rate is more than that.
If the government can make Christians live in fear, who are supposed to be full of faith, everyone can be controlled. There will come a day when it will be illegal to meet with the risk of being murdered. Will these faithless Christians meet then? Of course not because of the fear of being murdered.
If we are afraid of a unseen virus, we most definitely will be afraid of men with guns from the government.
The just will live by faith.
Hi Michael,
I totally understand.
And yes, I’ve read the statistics. But while it is true that the mortality rate for Covid-19 is pretty low, we cannot deny the fact that it is spreading much faster than the common flu.
By the way, the US is under the Trump administration who is pro-religious liberty, so for us to think that he has other motives in mind when he implemented the “social distancing” rule and for limiting gathering up to ten people does not make sense.
Trump loves America and will always put the interest of Americans first. No doubt about that.
Some people, like a friend of mine on Facebook, think this man-made virus and this on-going crisis could pave the way for a one world government and she could be right.
Of course, this will eventually happen, but considering our situation right now, it could be the perfect time to share the love of God and the good news of salvation.
When people (unbelievers) are living in fear and are uncertain of what tomorrow may bring, they may actually be more open to hearing the gospel.
Take care, Michael and God bless!
Greetings!
Been at this internet thingy for a while, if you’d like me to assist you in any way, that would be cool?
Hey David, thanks for the offer. I appreciate it.
I’ll get in touch with you.
Exactly! How “unwise” or “unloving” or not “submitting to authorities” for people in Communist countries to assemble against the government’s will? They risked being taken away from their family and community that needed them and getting tossed in jail to rot (or worse).
Where in scripture does it say to obey everything the government says?
It says governments are to support good. Paul did not listen to Rome. He preached to Cesar. If the government will not give the right to live as we see fit it is a tyrannical government and deserves to be disobeyed.