Rev. Zotuo Kiewhuo
Senior Pastor, Koinonia Baptist Church
and Principal, Kohima Bible College
In moment like this where Nagaland has also been affected with the Corona pandemic crisis, let us fix our eyes on Jesus and his infallible words which assures us with endless hopes. As the scripture says, “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty”, simply means whoever prays to God will be protected from dangers. “No evil shall befall you nor shall any plague come near your dwelling” (Psalms 91:1-10)
Let us reflect back at some remarkable incidents that took place in the Bible when the Jews in the Kingdom of Shushan had encountered with the most tragic incident due to their enemy, Haman’s conspiracy to kill them. Who came forward to save them in such a time as this? It was none other but a Queen, Esther who proclaimed three days dry fasting and prayer (Esther 4:16). As a result they were saved miraculously with the divine intervention.
In Nineveh city, when the people were exceedingly wicked, God sent Jonah to preach that God will destroy the city within forty days because of their sin. (Jonah 3:4) Eventually the people of Nineveh believed God at once from the Greatest to the Least of them. Even the Heathen King was converted suddenly, covered himself with sackcloth and sat in ashes. It is to be noted in this case too that the King proclaimed dry fasting. As a result, “Then God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God relented from the disaster that he had said he would bring upon them, and He did not do it” (Jonah 3:10).
It was Moses who played the most significant role to deliver the Children of Israel. When God’s anger was highly aroused to kill them all because of their sins, Moses had fasted for forty days on their behalf (Deuteronomy 9:18). “So the Lord relented from the harm which he said he would do to his people” (Exodus 32:14)
Moreover when God’s wrath came upon Saul for persecuting Christians, he was struck with blindness on his way to Damascus. His eyes were opened only after he fasted for three days. (Acts 9:1-9)
Through all these biblical incidents, we learn that fasting and prayer are powerful weapon that brings overwhelming consequences. It moves the Heart of God and takes away his wrath. No Catastrophe takes place on Earth accidentally. The ongoing Pandemic is truly the wrath of God because of sin. Despite every preventive measures whatsoever to prevent this plague, it has been alarmingly increasing. Even the super power country like America cannot get rid of it as it goes, their gold and silver cannot save them. (Zephaniah 1:18)
Therefore, this is not a time to blame one another unreasonably. Let us wake up, humble ourselves in repentance and seek the face of God. I appeal to every individual, family, Churches irrespective of denomination, positions to fast and pray for Divine Intervention. If we do so, God will surely hear our prayers and save us from this crisis. Fasting and prayer is the only source of solving this global sickness/pandemic, it is the need of the hour. Our God is a Loving Father who changes even his mind when his children cries out and make sacrificial prayers to him (2 Chronicles 7:12-14)
Undoubtedly, God will intervene to take away this pandemic- Corona Virus He will heal the people and ultimately he will bring the Holy Spirit Revival upon every people particularly in Nagaland and to the whole World in General, to fulfil the Great Commission.
