Recently Kelly and I had a bad case of COVID. We spent four weeks doing nothing but lying around in bed. Kelly spent six days in the hospital on oxygen. It hit us hard. We are thankful for all those who reached out and checked on us.
Not to be insensitive to others, but Kelly and I are thankful we got the virus. Maybe that catches you off guard but let me explain why. Before we contracted the virus, we were super busy with church stuff and kid's activities. Plus, I was traveling to a lot of different places to preach. So, I had gotten into a routine of just going through the motions. Sadly, I was even letting my guard down in some regions of my life.
But when I contracted COVID, God put me in a quiet place. It was there in the quiet place that God once again got a hold of my heart. While I was in this place, I focused on four things, and I want to share them with you now.
First, I remembered God's past faithfulness. God has been so faithful to me. He has never let me down. Nor has He ever failed to provide for my family. He is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He faithfully led His chosen people out of Egyptian bondage and through the red sea. Their provision in the wilderness was perpetual because God never fails. He fought for them during their conquest of the Promise Land. He stopped the flow of the Jordan and brought down the walls of Jericho. He even caused the sun to stand still at midday. How faithful is our God? He is extremely faithful. All one must do is look to the cross, and there you will see the faithfulness of God. God gave His own Son to die for the sins of the world. Christ rose from the dead as the result of God's divine providence. And now we have life in Christ. I encourage you, beloved, to find your quiet place and remember the past faithfulness of God. It will revive your soul.
Second, I reflected on my identity in Christ. It is easy to forget whose we are and who we are. We are redeemed. We are adopted into the family of God. We are His chosen. The Holy Spirit has sealed us. We are blessed to be joint heirs with Jesus. In Christ, our sins are forgiven. We stand reconciled to God because of Christ's imputed righteousness given to us by the grace of God. One day we will receive glorified bodies. When Christ returns, there will be a new heaven and a new earth. It is here that we will dwell with Christ throughout eternity. So, in your quiet place, reflect upon who you are in Christ; it will bring revival to your soul.
Third, I reasoned about the future. We must spend time meditating on the reality of Christ's physical return. Christ is coming, and His return is visible and public so that all people will see him coming in the clouds. His return will be imminent, meaning it is near, and it will happen quickly when it comes. The return of Christ is also final and unalterable. He will come in victory and judgment. While he first came as a babe in a manger and lived gently and humbly, he will come as King of kings and Lord of lords when he comes again.
Furthermore, there is a day of judgment coming. On this day, every believer will stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ and give an account. My desire is to be prepared for both events. Therefore, I reason about them in my mind and heart. In your quiet place, reason with yourself about the second coming of Christ and the final judgment. It's here that you will find revival for your soul.
Fourth, I rose and obeyed. There comes a time in our lives when we need to rise and obey God. I am thankful to God for putting me flat on my back. I spent weeks in the quiet place remembering God's past faithfulness, reflecting upon who I am in Christ, and reasoning with myself about the future. God revived my soul. He renewed my zeal. Now it's time to rise and obey.
I encourage all to find your quiet place. While you are there, think about the things I have shared with you. May God revive your soul as He did mine.
Blake Gideon
First Baptist Edmond