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Right now we are in the middle of, what feels like, if not is, a global quarantine. Countries around the world have lockdowns, and shelter-in-place laws are in play in cities from Paris to Portland.

For Christians, it helps to realize we are not alone. As a matter of fact, Jesus Christ himself was under self-quarantine.

The Latin root of the word “quarantine” is “forty.” So, what does the Bible say about 40? The flood lasted 40 days. For 40 years Moses fled Egypt. For 40 days Moses stayed on Mount Sinai to receive the 10 Commandments. The Exodus lasted 40 years. Lent is 40 days.

Some theologians think the number 40 represents “change.” It is the time of preparing a person, or people to make a fundamental change. Something will happen after these 40 days. During this time, quarantine time, enjoy it with your loved ones. Through prayer you will see the changes God will and God can work in you and in your home. Jesus promises that everything works together for the good for those who love God (see Romans 8:28).

So, we’re in the year 2020. 20 plus 20 equals 40. It’s also the year of the United States census. Jesus Christ was born during a census. I thought the year 2020 was going to be about vision. Twenty-twenty is perfect vision. Maybe it is. Let’s keep our sight focused on the Lord and living according to His perfect vision for us knowing God holds us in his perfect hands.

Jesus had a time of self-quarantine. I am talking about his 40 days in the wilderness where he was tempted by the devil. God himself ordered this quarantine, not the government. During these 40 days Jesus experienced the most extreme form of social distancing. For 40 days and 40 nights he encountered no other humans.

This took place in the Judean wilderness. To this day it is a lonely desolate place where you would never want to spend the night alone there. It was toward the end of the 40 days of fasting, where Satan sought to tempt Jesus and derail his plan to be the Savior of the world. Satan lost. So how did Jesus survive His 40-day quarantine and come out stronger? He realized that God was in complete control. God controls his servants. He controls their situation. For Jesus that timeline was for 40 days.

What’s the timeline for the coronavirus? We have no idea.

During the Spanish Flu epidemic of 1918, which lasted two years and killed between 50 million to 100 million people globally, the worst of the epidemic was packed into a three-month period in the fall of 1918.

I believe we can come out of this time even stronger by realizing God is in control.

How will you come out of this time? Defeated? Depressed? Addicted? Or, fully reliant on God? God is in control.

REV. JOHN MOXLEY can be reached at jmoxleydillwyn@gmail.com.