“And the plague was stopped”

“And he stood between the dead and the living; so the plague was stopped” (Numbers 16:48).
 
This refers to the time when the children of Israel hated their anointed leaders, Moses and Aaron, and repeatedly criticized them and falsely accused them. They rose up against them like a mob and challenged their authority and ability to lead. Then a plague was released upon the people and Moses told Aaron to take a censer with fire and incense in it to make a spiritual covering for the people (Numbers 16:1-47). Then the plague stopped, after 14,700 people died.
 
Aaron was the high priest and he had authority to make a spiritual covering for the people. Incense is symbolic of prayer that goes up before God (Psalm 141:2, Revelation 5:8, 8:3-5). Jesus is our High Priest and He has made us believers to be priests to God (Hebrews 4:14-16, Revelation 1:5-6, I Peter 2:9).  We, the committed, dedicated, praying Church, are standing in intercession between the dead and the living. What an important job each of us has as an intercessor! And Christ, our High Priest, is standing with us. Now it is time for us to put all the wonderful truths we have learned about faith, prayer, and intercession into practice. By the grace and power of God, we are stopping this corona virus plague.
 
I appreciate all the government and the medical community are doing to fight this virus.  We have seen answers to prayer as we have seen how God has helped them. But also very important are the fervent, faith-filled prayers of the righteous. Now is the time when our prayers can make a great difference and avail much (James 5:16-18).
 
Included in this time of consecrated prayer is humbling ourselves, seeking God’s face, and turning away from any wicked ways (II Chronicles 7:14, James 4:10, 8, 1-9). This will result in an improved Church.
 
Some are saying, “but there are some good things coming out of this situation.” Yes, God can bring good out of bad situations and I can think of some ways in which He is doing just that. But this virus is not of God and we are praying in faith for God to avenge us speedily of this enemy virus (Luke 18:7-8).  As my pastor recently pointed out, “Hosanna” means “Lord, save us now!” (Psalm 118:25).
 
The Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus has set us free from the law of sin and death and corona virus (Romans 8:2). We are standing against it and God is giving us the victory. I believe He is beginning to close the door on this plague. Until we see it totally gone, when you pray and declare God’s Word concerning this plague, know that you are taking your place with the other intercessors who are standing between the dead and the living and stopping this plague.
 
May each and every one of you have a blessed Passover to. As the Scripture says, “Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us” (I Corinthians 5:7).  This is a good time for us to celebrate Christ as our Passover and for us to pass over to the place of recovery.     4-8-2020