Elijah's Three-and-a-Half Years (A Time of Testing)

The pandemic lasted for more than 3 years with USA among the last countries in the world to lift travel restrictions last month, exactly three and a half years since the confirmed arrival of Covid-19 in December 2019. I spoke at least twice about the Elijah's period as a sign that this Covid-19 will not go away quickly but will last at least three years. Just over a year ago in March 2022, no one in Malaysia would predict that by May 2022, the government would announce lifting of restrictions like in a majority of nations at that time. Australia and New Zealand lifted all restrictions by the fourth quarter of 2022 and travel in and out of those country was practically back to normal by the beginning of 2023. Why three and a half years? It is half of 7 years. It is a time of testing and trial and the people of God are tested. Tested whether they believed in God and trust Him for His protection.

I remember well that for many months from March 2020 to Feb 2021, people were quoting Scripture for protection but when the vaccines came out, many of them no longer quote the same Scriptures but thought the vaccine was greater than the power of God, it seems. How mistaken! 

Within my circle of friends, I remember clearly when the vaccine mandate was announced late October 2021, three events took place. First, the College's graduation in early November was cancelled last minute when at least one student was infected by Covid-19. People came all over the State for the occasion and rehearsals were being carried out. But they were scattered. When the College reopened in early January 2022, another wave of Covid-19 struck during the Orientation and many people were quarantined. Just as they thought they could go about their business, Covid-19 plague struck again early February during a Masters' class when almost all the vaccinated students were infected with Covid-19. 

Why was that so? Perhaps God was telling us something, if we have ears to listen. When we failed to call on Him, when we trust in medicine more than His power, when we persecute God's servants who refuse vaccination on health grounds and on the ground of conscience, God acts to defend His honour. For those with eyes to see and ears to hear and hearts to perceive, three occasions within 4 months affecting major College's events should lead to soul searching and call for prayers. But there were none. They went their merry ways and refused to acknowledge God. They have failed the test. They have proven to be false as God's servants call on Him and trust Him above all else.