Eight months ago, we began to face a new thing in our world – the Corona Virus. At least it seemed like a new thing to us. Reports made us believe that we would drop dead by the thousands. There was an undercurrent of fear. In some places, fear was so prevalent, it could almost be felt. We heard of many deaths in Italy and Spain. It seemed prudent to close down, even our churches. We were told that the shutdown would only be about six weeks to two months, until we “flattened the curve.”
As the weeks went by, it became apparent that, here in the USA anyway, we were not going to be dropping dead by the thousands. Yet, we continued our lockdown and our “quarantines” and our staying at home. We stayed at home from church and listened to livestream. A few met together, but not many because the governor said we could not.
As time passed, the spiritual lives of many began to suffer, especially the young people. In some churches, the younger generation has left and likely will never come back. Outreach and visitation came to a halt in many places. Looking back, one must wonder, What was the cost in spiritual growth? What was the cost in souls?
II Timothy 1:7 says, “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” But we were afraid. We feared the pestilence that walked in darkness. I was very much guilty of this fear myself. Looking back; I wonder – if, instead of staying at home and hiding away from this fearful thing, we had met together and besought the God of heaven for mercies and forgiveness and healing, would the outcome have been different?
We were afraid to be near someone who might have symptoms because we might contract the disease. We were afraid to be near someone because we might give them the disease even if we didn’t know we had it (even though evidence had not been presented that it was spread by asymptomatic individuals). But what did Jesus do when the leper came to Him. Leprosy was one of the most feared diseases of the day. According to law, the leper was to stay outside the city and to cry “Unclean! Unclean!” if anyone came near him. But Jesus “put forth his hand, and touched him.” (See Luke 5:13) Are we letting people suffer and ache in loneliness because of our fear? Are we fearing the pestilence that is walking in darkness so much that we cannot be near others or touch them when they are hurting, scared, lonely, and sad? Are we so afraid that we treat others like a contaminated germ? If so, is that right?
Is there another cost to our fear? If we look around us, we see that Satan is buying up the opportunity. Watch his crowd. They have not been afraid to get together. They have not been afraid to meet, even if it is in small groups. They have spent money to spread their message and sacrificed to advance the devil’s agenda. Have we done at least as much for our Master and for the fulfilling of our Father’s business as the devil's crowd has done for him?
Should we be limited in numbers when we meet together? Should we keep from inviting others and fail to receive the lost who might desire to come to church? During the time of Israel’s captivity, when things were dark and dreary, there was a remnant of people who feared the Lord. God said, “Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name.” (Malachi 3:16) God had a special blessing for those who took the time to commune with each other and encourage one another in the Lord. “And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.” (verse 17) The evidence that showed that people feared the Lord was that they spoke often with each other. Verse eighteen says, “Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not.” Do we have the marks, the evidences, of those that are righteous, of those that serve the Lord? Will the Lord find us faithful?
Well, we say, “We have livestream.” We can listen to church at home. We can meet with each other over Zoom. What if that is taken away from us? With the increased censorship online and on social media, and with the increased censorship of freedom of speech, do we have a guarantee that this will continue? If not, then what?
When we stand before the judgment seat of Christ, and God asks us what we did to fulfill His Great Commission and what we did to be about the Father’s business during this time, will we say, “Well, there was this pandemic, a serious illness that was killing people. We could not meet with very many at a time because some people might get sick and because the government said so. We could not regularly assemble together because we were told not to. We couldn’t have our usual outreach, invite the lost, or go on visitation because we might meet someone who was sick or we might give someone sickness. So, our ministries and outreaches came to a stop.” Will this work when we give account of ourselves to God? What will we say? How will we explain things? Will we say, “I’m sorry that we couldn’t give You full obedience because we were trying to be safe and to keep others safe”?
How can we restrict people from coming to the house of God? How can we say to them, “O you cannot come in because we have reached our limit?” How can we say, “O, I’m sorry, you must go away this time because there are no seats left that are six feet away from someone else?” Can we really do it? Is it right to do it? Sure, it is prudent to be cautious. But all those who fear God and desire to meet together and commune with one another and worship, fellowship, comfort and edify – is it OK to turn them away because there is “no room”?
These things have just troubled my mind greatly the last little while, and especially the last few days. What will we say when we stand before God to give an account of what we have done during this eight months and during the months to come? Will it be reasonable? Will it be acceptable?
But why should we meet together? Why should we be open to all who fear the Lord and want to speak often with one another, so much the more often as we see the day approaching? Because God commands it. Because God gives many examples of it in Scripture.
What are some of those verses that contain the commands to and examples of God’s people meeting together?
The first verse that comes to mind is Hebrews 10:25, which says, “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” Consider the wording for a minute. “Not forsaking the assembling.” “Assembling” refers to a “complete collection gathering together.” Just for emphasis, the verse adds, “of ourselves together.” God expects us to gather together and to do this “so much the more” as we see the day approaching. Are we doing it?
Here are some more examples of assembling together.
“And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room… These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication….” (See Acts 1:13,14)
“And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place… And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house.” (See Acts 2:1&46)
“And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together…” (See Acts 20:7)
“In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ…” (I Corinthians 5:4)
How does our not gathering together affect whether or not we can do the work of the Lord in the power of Christ? Consider these verses. Some of them describe things we are supposed to do when we are gathered together.
“Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.” (I Thessalonians 5:11)
“7) But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. 8) And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. 9) Use hospitality one to another without grudging.” (I Peter 4:7-9)
When should we love each other and show each other hospitality? When we see that the end of all things is drawing nigh.
Here are just a few more verses that talk about the saints assembling together.
“Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.” (John 20:19)
“If therefore the whole church be come together into one place…” (I Corinthians 14:23)
“Praise ye the LORD. I will praise the LORD with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation.” (Psalm 111:1)
“5) And the heavens shall praise thy wonders, O LORD: thy faithfulness also in the congregation of the saints. 6) For who in the heaven can be compared unto the LORD? who among the sons of the mighty can be likened unto the LORD? 7) God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be had in reverence of all them that are about him.” (Psalm 89:5-7)
“Let them exalt him also in the congregation of the people, and praise him in the assembly of the elders.” (Psalm 107:32)
See also Psalm 22:25; 35:18; 40:9,10; 109:30; 149:1.
No doubt there are many other references too, but these will suffice to give the idea. God wants His people to assemble together with one another.
So, what can I do about it? What can I do to show hospitality, to comfort, to fellowship with, and to edify others? This is something that I have been thinking about very seriously. It may be that I cannot get together with very many at once. Maybe not many would even want to get together. But, I can find those who do and invite them to spend some time with me listening to the preaching of the word and sharing our hearts and praying and singing together.
To reach out, some have suggested leaving cookies for the letter carrier or trash collector. Bread could be baked to give to neighbors. A lonely person could be given a hug (if they are not uncomfortable receiving one). The general consensus these days seems to be not to touch anyone or get anywhere near them. But Jesus reached out and touched the leper when societies rules said He should not be near the leper. Personal touch goes a long way to lift spirits and comfort others. Many people are lonely, empty and hurting.
While reaching out to others or showing hospitality, the concerns of others should be important. If the other person is more comfortable with everyone wearing a mask, wear it. If the other person is more comfortable being six feet away, stay six feet away. If the other person would rather get together outside, get together outside. While we should not be controlled and directed by our fear, consideration for the other person is very important. We want to help dispel the fear of the other person and make them feel comfortable, accepted and loved.
How we need wisdom to do God’s work in God’s way in these times! But we must do it. God’s commands and His directions for doing things do not change just because the times change. They are constant. I must seek to the Lord to know His way and His will and His guidance in all these matters.