Have you ever woken up into a day and had everything that could go wrong go wrong that day? Have you ever wished you could just go back to sleep and wake up to a different day? Well, I have heard similar sentiments expressed about the year 2020! What a year this has been so far!


The world was awakened to a rude shock in the light of the corona virus pandemic. In January 2020 China reported its first death from the virus. Since then more than half a million people have died from Covid-19 related deaths, with over one hundred and thirty thousand of those deaths occurring in the United States. In the month of March, life as we knew it came to a grinding halt! We realized very quickly that we did not have it all together like we previously assumed. Some who thought they had no need of God changed their minds and cried out for mercy from the Almighty. Yet, others continue to persist in their pride and cling on to a false sense of security in a world of crumbling structures.


In the midst of the chaos comes a word of hope, “Out of the one who eats came something to eat; out of the strong came something sweet.” (Judges 14:14) While it is impossible to minimize the loss of loved ones, financial losses, and the pains we currently face, it is comforting to know that God Almighty is able to bring something good out of any bitter circumstance in which we may find ourselves. And we know that all things work together for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28). God’s word has not changed because of the corona virus. Everything else may fail, but God’s word abides forever!


King Uzziah was one of the notably successful kings of Judah. During his reign he built up the infrastructure of the nation. He refortified the nation, reorganized and reequipped the army, and prospered in agriculture. His reign which was marked with comfort and safety which lasted for fifty- two years. After such a time of peace and stability, you can imagine the chaos when King Uzziah died. Times were uncertain. The people of God felt vulnerable as they thought of enemies that surrounded them. It was amid such political and social tension that God appeared to prophet Isaiah revealing that the hem of God’s robe alone is big enough to fill the temple. Falling down in awe, the prophet Isaiah declared, “In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple” (Isaiah 6:1).


There is political and social tension in the land right now. So many people are challenged with financial insecurities. As in the days of Isaiah, you can see the Lord amid this chaos. While the confession of many is that “there is a casting down,” your story can be that “there is a lifting up!” Testimonies are being recorded, even now! Determine that you will testify of the goodness of God and expect good to come your way, not evil.


As we enter the second half of this year, I encourage you to press on. Do not let your hearts be troubled. Wait on the Lord and be of good courage. Listen! Hear what His Spirit is saying to you. Do not wait for the year to end before you take stock. Pick up your dreams and visions. Trust God for new ways of doing things. Trust God for witty inventions. You would be surprised how much of new innovations have come out of this crisis. The Bible says the wisdom of God is manifold. Do not be limited by your own understanding and perception.


We continue to pray that the mercy of God will prevail. We pray for healing in our land. We pray for peace and justice. We pray for genuine repentance and a turning to the Lord.

I have not yet reached my goal, and I am not perfect. But Christ has taken hold of me. So I keep on running and struggling to take hold of the prize (Philippians 3:12).