INSTEAD OF A STIMULUS, PROCLAIM A FAST

PRAYER JOURNAL 3/27/20

Jonah 3:5 So the people of Ninevah believed God, PROCLAIMED A FAST, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest to the least of them.

Today, the Congress of the United States is prepared to pass the largest STIMULUS PACKAGE ever issued in the history of the World.  It is designed to assist people and businesses financially as we deal with this Plague that is sweeping our country and the world.

It will be a shot in the arm to our economy and be a temporary blessing to many struggling families.  As one Congressman said, “This will be Unemployment on Steroids.”  While Steroids may be a short-term fix, let me remind you that STEROIDS BRING LONG-TERM SIDE EFFECTS!  They include, changes in mood or behavior, irritability, increased aggression, depression, suicidal tendencies, and even worsen other underlying conditions.

SO WHAT IS THE ANSWER???

The Book of Jonah is one of the most wonderful unique Books of the Bible.  It begins with the Call of God, and then moves to Disobedience to the Call, Discipline from God and Repentance by the Offender.  The Book continues with Proclaiming the Word of God to an evil people, Hearing of the Word of God, Fasting, Humbling, Praying and Repenting by the warned people, resulting in Forgiveness and Mercy by God.  THEN ENDS with the Sent Preacher angry at God because He showed Mercy.  Definitely, an interesting read.

The Book of Jonah may hold a key to the Dissipation of the Virus sweeping our world.  When Jonah finally got around to preaching and warning the People of Ninevah of God’s anger with them and the coming destruction, the King didn’t hesitate…there was no stimulus package issued to ease anyone’s discomfort; there was no finger pointing or blame at neighbors, enemies or other high officials and leaders….The King issued a PROCLAMATION…

Verse 7-8 THE PROCLAMATION, “Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste anything; do not let them eat or drink water. But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth and cry mightily to God; yes let everyone turn from his evil way and from the violence that is in his hands.”

Verse 9 Who can tell if God will turn and relent and turn away from His fierce anger, so that we may not perish?

The King of Ninevah issued an EXECUTIVE ORDER, proclaiming a FAST OF FOOD AND WATER.  Not a “Daniel Fast” where they would make delicious vegetarian recipes for a month, but a REAL FAST, not only for every man, woman and child but also every animal.  The King also ordered that everyone would HUMBLE themselves (put on sackcloth), REPENT, and CRY MIGHTILY TO GOD!

There was no panic buying of food and hoarding of toilet paper, no mobilizing of the National Guard; not even a task force to help make the decision…JUST A PROCLAMATION TO FAST, REPENT AND SEEK GOD!

AND GOD SAW THEIR REPENTANCE, HEARD THEIR CRY AND SHOWED MERCY TO ALL!

Jonah 3:10 Then God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God relented from the disaster that He said He would bring upon them, and He did not do it.

WHAT WOULD HAPPEN….

If instead of a STIMULUS PACKAGE, the President of the United States would issue an EXECUTIVE ORDER OF FASTING, REPENTANCE AND PRAYER? 

I can tell you now, there would be LAW SUITS, calls for IMPEACHMENT, reminders of DIVISION BETWEEN CHURCH AND STATE as the virus continued to spread and more people died.

Would even the PEOPLE OF GOD listen and obey such a proclamation as we have obeyed SOCIAL DISTANCING, HAND WASHING AND QUARANTINE?  Or, would we mock the President right along with his political foes, point out his many sins and shame those who actually thought fasting and prayer was a good idea?

I AM NOT SAYING THAT GOD SENT THIS VIRUS BUT, I AM SAYING THAT GOD CAN STILL THE SPREAD AND HEAL OUR LAND…IT IS UP TO US….

And “Who can tell how God would move.”

WE DON’T NEED A PROCLAMATION to humble ourselves, repent, fast and pray.  Many people are joining in prayer today and for some Sunday has been proclaimed a Day of Prayer and Fasting.

GOD STILL SEES; GOD STILL HEARS; AND GOD WILL STILL HEAL OUR LAND IF WE CALL ON HIM!