COVID-19: A Word of Encouragement

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“So shall they fear the name of the Lord from the west, and his glory to the lands of the rising sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him.” (Isaiah 59:19)

For days now I have been pondering what the Lord is saying or doing in the midst of this pandemic. Grocery stores are limiting supplies, shelves are bare, and people are on edge. Many are glued to their screens for the next update, ready to share the latest with friends and family. Yet, in the midst of what I see and sense in the people I have an overwhelming sense that Yahweh is doing something historic in our midst. 

As I laid down to sleep last night, I heard the Lord say, “When the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him.” This is a well-known verse for many of you, but interestingly enough this verse when looked at in the context of The Passion Translation says, “From the West to the lands of the rising sun… (speaking of Asia) the glory and the name of Yahweh will be held in highest reverence.”

What I felt in my spirit is that according to Isaiah 59:19 is the Lord will allow the enemy to show his hand first. What we are seeing spread throughout the nations is a virus that attacks our respiratory system, which affects our breathing. But the promise of Isaiah 59:19 in the Passion Translation is, “For He (Yahweh) will break in as a flooding, rushing river driven on by the breath of Yahweh!” 

While I make no claim to be a prophet, I just want to share this encouragement with you. I believe what we are seeing in the natural is a counterfeit move of the enemy to steal the breath of Yahweh’s royals in the earth. COVID-19 originated in Asia and is from the Coronavirus family. The name “Corona” comes from the Latin, meaning “crown” due to the crown-shaped spikes seen on its surface. 

If the enemy gets to show His hand first as a counterfeit move, then I believe we can begin to expect a rushing river driven by the breath of Yahweh to begin visiting his royal priesthood on the earth from Asia to the West, America. 

So what should we do in this time of social distancing? 

Psalm 91:1 says, “When you sit enthroned under the shadow of Shaddai, you are hidden in the strength of God Most High.”  You will find in the original Hebrew of the verse the word “yashab” which is often associated with one seated as royalty. We must learn to take our place as royals enthroned in our heavenly seat with Christ Jesus in the secret place. 

If you were to break down Psalm 91 further in the Hebrew it gives us a word only used another time in Job 39:28 which describes eagles passing the night on the high cliffs. (All these notes can be found from Dr. Brian Simmons in the Passion Translation) 

Psalm 91 is giving us a key for this time of social distancing, calling us to dwell in the Secret Place of the Most-High, sitting enthroned as royals, passing the night like eagles on the high cliffs, far above the snake line. The whole chapter of Psalm 91 calls Yahweh’s sons and daughters into a place of rest during a time where rest is seemingly impossible. 

I believe in this time where it seems the enemy has come in, it’s only a sign that Yahweh is raising up His answer, the royals inheriting a fresh breath to lead us into the greatest days of the Kingdom of God. From our position of rest, we are going to see the nations Re-Formed and America Re-ordered. Systems are being shaken which is causing us all to refocus and reprioritize so that we can explore the path of the more excellent way. 

Yes, there may be challenges to being quarantined, schools canceled, working remotely, and just the simple request to stay home. However, I can’t help but see Yahweh’s hand reforming us back to the original intent for man in the garden, recovering the priority of family, and learning the power of rest.

I will leave you with one last thought. It was actually something one of our spiritual daughters sent to my wife the other day:

“In 1665, Isaac Newton was in his early 20’s. The Great Plague of London hit and social distancing was mandated for over a year. This time later became referred to as the “Year of Wonders.” During this time away from his schooling and professors, Newton thrived. He made discoveries such as his theory of light and optics and what would later become known as calculus. But probably the most known today is his theory of gravity and motion, which simply came through musings in the garden.” 

May you and your family muse in the garden of God’s delight as your worship, play, and rest! Who knows what brilliance may come of this time?

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10 Comments

  1. Erik on March 20, 2020 at 2:42 PM

    An exceptionally timed word Mark! Thank you

    • Mark Casto on March 20, 2020 at 9:53 PM

      Thank you for reading and commenting. I hope everyone is well all around you!

  2. Shonna on March 20, 2020 at 3:00 PM

    Yes! Yes! Yes! And for the record you’re about as much “not a prophet” as Damon was “not an apostle.”

    • Mark Casto on March 20, 2020 at 9:54 PM

      Thank you for the encouragement and comment!

  3. Pamela McLean on March 20, 2020 at 7:28 PM

    I really enjoyed this and needed it.
    I also have a request, I don’t know if you and Destiny remember me or not. I went through a divorce in 2017 on grounds of my husband committing adultery. I am having a hard time. I wanted to ask if you and Destiny would please pray for me. Thank you.

    • Mark Casto on March 20, 2020 at 9:55 PM

      I’m sorry to hear that you are facing such a hard time. Abba is in control and will heal your heart. Trust in Him to put all the broken pieces back together.

  4. Terri on March 20, 2020 at 11:29 PM

    So enjoyed reading this post. Thank you for sharing your heart with us and such a timely word. Love you son, keep listening and sharing.

  5. Chris on March 21, 2020 at 12:49 AM

    A breath of fresh air. Great encouragement! Thank you

  6. Bruce and April Casilio on March 21, 2020 at 11:02 AM

    Thank you for the great word. I believe Psalm 91 is a great word for these days. In a culture that thrives on speed and business, the Lord IS calling us to a period of “rest” for us to feel his goodness and love he has yearned to bath us with. Be Blessed.

  7. Michael Forward on April 3, 2020 at 1:54 PM

    Thanks Mark. A great encouraging post. I especially am drawn to the part about the breath. A friend and I have been drawn to verses about Yahweh’s breath speaking life into His people for the last few years. Keep up the good work my brother.

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