God draws a line between those who serve him and those who don’t (Malachi 3:18). We see this in the Flood, at Sodom and Gomorrah, in the Passover, the Exodus, and at Jericho. In each case, judgment and salvation occur side by side. Believers are delivered and unbelievers are destroyed at the same time and by the same means.

When God announced the plague of the firstborn in Egypt, he said: Not a dog shall growl against any of the people of Israel… that you may know that the Lord makes a distinction between Egypt and Israel (Exodus 11:7). The Israelites believed and acted on their faith by keeping the Passover and sprinkling the blood of the lamb on their door frames. All the firstborn of Egypt died that night. The firstborn of Israel remained untouched.

With this story, the Preacher shifts his emphasis from individual heroes of faith to the community of faith that hears and obeys God’s Word together. Caught between the Egyptian army and the Red Sea, God’s people walked out in faith where no one had gone before.

Trapped between the Jordan River and the enemy fortress of Jericho, the people followed their leaders in an extraordinary act of faith. They marched around the city for seven days. It must have seemed like a circus act to those inside, until the walls crumbled.

Faith acts. God rewards. Sometimes at once. Sometimes much later. But never too late. So why then are we not immune from the dreaded coronavirus? Disease is no respecter of faith. But God Is. He always draws the line between those who believe and those who don’t. But sometimes he uses invisible ink. Where truth itself is not apparent, it must be looked for in faith (John Calvin).

There can be miracles when we believe. Christ our Passover Lamb has been sacrificed for us (1 Corinthians 5:7). His shed blood sprinkles our hearts clean. His broken body nourishes our empty souls. We have divine immunity against the worst pandemic in human history — the plague of sin and death. The body they may kill. His Truth abideth still. His kingdom is forever (Martin Luther). Believe. Act. Circle the city. Blow the trumpet. Forward march! Together in faith. The gates of hell will crumble like the Jericho wall.

Prayer Track

•  There is power in the blood of Jesus, our Passover Lamb. He alone can free us from the plague of sin and death. He alone can shield us from the virus. By faith, invoke the power of Jesus’ blood over your health, your breath, your entire being. Do the same for your family and your church.

Declare: Through the blood of Jesus, I am redeemed out of the hand of the devil (Ephesians 1:7). Through the blood of Jesus, all my sins are forgiven (Ephesians 1:7). Through the blood of Jesus, I am continually being cleansed from all sin (1 John 1:7). Through the blood of Jesus, I am justified, made righteous, just-as-if I’d never sinned (Romans 5:9). Through the blood of Jesus, I am sanctified, made holy, set apart to God (Hebrews 13:12). Through the blood of Jesus, I have boldness to enter into the presence of God (Hebrews 10:19). The blood of Jesus cries out continually to God in heaven on my behalf (Hebrews 12:24, Derek Prince).

•  There is power in community. Safe distancing must not become spiritual distancing. God made us for community, to need each other, to do life together. In these unprecedented times, we need our local church community more than we realise. Prodigals, nomads, lone rangers with an agenda of their own must come to their senses and come home to the local church family. Pause and pray with all your heart. Plead for those you know by name, that they will not remain independent and isolated, distant and on the margins. Cry out to God for a great awakening, starting with you: Return to Christ our Passover Lamb. Stick with your church family. Draw closer together. Treasure the blessing of spiritual covering, belonging, koinonia, accountability, pastoral care, discipleship and nurture, and so much more. March as one with your pastors and leaders as they faithfully follow God’s exodus path and Jericho plan for your church. Together in faith!

•  There is power in godliness: Those who feared the Lord spoke with one another. The Lord paid attention and heard them, and a book of remembrance was written before him of those who feared the Lord and esteemed his name. ‘They shall be mine,’ says the Lord of hosts, ‘in the day when I make up my treasured possession, and I will spare them as a man spares his son who serves him. Then once more you shall see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve him.’ (Malachi 3:16-18)

•  There is power in solidarity. One People. One Nation. One Singapore! Thank God that from day one of the Covid-19 outbreak, we pulled together as SGUnited to fight this invisible foe. Thank God for the trust between people and government. Thank God for vigilant leadership that gives clear direction from phase to phase. For legendary efficiency in implementing the safety measures. For strong buy-in. For the spirit of cooperation.

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