Introduction

God operates with standards.

They are found in the scriptures and are communicated by God’s servants. Once received we are expected to observe them.

Numbers 23:19: God is not a man.

People who kept standards.

The Rechabite family was following on the commands left to them by their father who had died long before. Even in the city, they lived in tents. By obeying the commands, their father had assured them of long life. Because of their obedience, God was impressed and used their example to challenge the Israelites. God gave them a permanent house even though they were not Israelites.

When you’re faithful like the Rechabites, God will reward you and give you a permanent position and be lifted higher and higher.

Failure to obey the commands of the Lord by Israelites caused them disasters as had been warned by the Lord.

Gentiles are serving God even in higher places than the Israelites themselves because we have learned to be obedient.

Covid-19 pandemic and its challenge to ministry

Today in our current circumstances, many things have changed. There is a requirement for social distancing and wearing of masks, and these things are affecting our  service to God. In some areas, we have lowered our standards. We have to start returning to the good standards we had in our various ways of serving God. Hebrews 10:25 – Let’s not stop having fellowships as some of you have the habit of doing. The Lord wants the resumption of the fellowship of brethren.

No matter the circumstances we are in, for instance, Scriptures ask the sick to call the elders of the Church to pray for and anoint them with oil (James 5:14-15). When we raise our standard, God will give us a permanent place of serving Him because we shall have impressed Him by being obedient even in such a difficult time as now, when there is Covid-19; when standards have been lowered.

Despite the current situation, we should continue bringing people to the Lord.

Luke 6:38. In the area of giving: we must continue with our giving. There is a promise in giving. We must raise our standards in giving.

1 Thes. 5:17 Pray without ceasing: in the Spirit. We have to restore our prayer life. When we pray the Lord responds.

We should pray that the Lord helps us resume our Evangelism, intercession, baptism, sharing of the Holy Communion among other areas even when observing
Covid-19 guidelines.

Conclusion.

Each of us knows where we have lowered the standard: we should pray that, by the help of the Lord, we restore our standards and serve
God with the passion we had before the pandemic, even as we observe the laid out guidelines.
© 2020, Editorial Team