There were highs and there were lows. There were marriages, births, deaths and job losses. This year was to be a year like every other, maybe even more promising. A year of perfect vision.

It turned out to be anything but that.

While some may have had a foreshadowing, no one could have anticipated the magnitude of the pandemic that hit. For the first time in a very long time the world stood still.

While the world looked on in abject horror, the command was given by the Lord to the church in March that we were to curse the disease, rebuke the very nature of that which wanted to attack.

As with the children of Israel with the last plague, they were instructed to daub blood on the lintel and door frames so that when the death angel passed over, that blood would be a sign to him to not trouble that dwelling. (Exodus 12) Let us continue to stay under the protection of Jesus Christ and the blood that was shed on Calvary for our salvation. Let us hide in the Rock, in the secret place of the Most High and let us not fear, "for the Egyptians whom ye have seen today, ye shall see them again no more forever." (Exodus 14:13)

Jesus instructed his disciples that when they saw these signs (Luke 21) they should LOOK UP. Not that the world would end immediately but that the coming of the Lord is at hand, and preparation needs to be made while it is day. The children of Issachar were called wise as they had an understanding of the times, we too, as Children of God ought to be alert to understand the times that we are living, how close we are to the time of the end.

As we step out of 2020, we look back at the chaos, the panic, the utter turmoil that took place in the world and we find peace in our place of safety (Christ). We continue to encourage those that have not yet turned their lives over to the Lord to do so before it is too late. We don't know what will happen in 2021 but we continue to hope and trust in Jesus.

Please, let us reach out to those that have fallen by the wayside and encourage those that have not yet known Christ to come taste and see. Let us trim our lamps and prepare for the times ahead, let us not miss this opportunity to get ourselves ready before the Marriage Supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:6-9).