If I command the Locusts to Devour the Land, or if I Send Pestilence Among My People

“If I command the locusts to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among my people; If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:13, 14.

National emergencies and global pandemics have been declared by world leaders. The global coronavirus infections and death toll is soaring every day. Today’s statistics stand at 181,218 confirmed infections, 7,128 deaths and 78,328 recovered. [1] This contagious infection is spreading fear, death and confusion and around the world. God’s word describes these diseases as plagues and pestilences.

The above Bible verse also describes locusts that devour the earth. Is it just a coincidence that, in addition to the coronavirus that is affecting our world, we also have a historic locust epidemic in Asia and Africa?
Locust estimates totaling 200 billion have been recorded in Kenya alone. The media recently reported the following:

“The swarms are so bad that Somalia declared a national emergency. Ethiopia and Kenya are struggling to maintain the outbreak, and by Wednesday, swarms have moved over the Arabian Peninsula and reached both sides of the Persian Gulf.” [2]

These plagues of locusts threaten the food supply and livelihood of people living in Africa, Yemen, the Gulf States, Iran, Pakistan and India. [3] Loss of crops due to plagues of locust will bring famine. Around 20 million people will be affected. [4]

So what are we supposed to do when there are pandemics and plagues of locust on earth? The answer comes from God in answer to Solomon’s prayer. King Solomon wondered what he should do if disease and locusts began to devour the land. We are witnessing in our day the same crisis described in 2 Chronicles 7:13. God’s solution to this emergency is found in verse 14. We are commanded to:

show humility
pray
seek God’s face
turn from our wicked ways

This is a time of great reflection and prayer. But prayer alone will not be enough. Unless there is a turning away from evil, God will not hear our prayers (Psalm 66:18). Unless there is national repentance and reformation, mercy and healing will never come. God not only wants to remove our afflictions, He wants to forgive our sins. There is a divine purpose to national calamities and catastrophes.

” Apparently these calamities are capricious outbreaks of disorganized, unregulated forces of nature, wholly beyond the control of man; but in them all, God’s purpose may be read. They are among the agencies by which He seeks to arouse men and women to a sense of their danger” (Prophets and Kings, p. 277).

Are we turning away from evil when drug abuse, pornography, alcoholism, violent crimes, suicide, immorality, child abuse and other sins continue to increase year after year? Are we showing humility when mass shootings, school violence and political savagery is displayed daily in our nation? Are we truly seeking God when our churches are saturated with Eastern mysticism, Romanism and the same failed, secular philosophies of the world?

The more secular and godless we become, the more catastrophic, nature-related disasters will be seen with troubling frequency. As we see communities completely devastated and overwhelmed, our thoughts and prayers go out to everyone affected. When lives are torn apart we must realize that we can only rebuild with the help of our Maker.

Fiwagoh Orphanage Ministries in Kenya, Africa

We have previously discussed the Fiwagoh Orphanage Ministry in Kenya, Africa and about the good work they are doing. [5] Recently, they had an encounter with these devastating swarms of locust. Pastor Benson Nganga and his wife Florence, directors of Fiwagoh, have around 300 children who are currently being trained to become missionaries. They also have a farm from which they grow food to help supplement the needs of their kids.

This past weekend Pastor Benson Nganga sent the following email sharing the miracles God is doing with these plagues of locust. Remember, there are around 200 billion locusts in Kenya alone. Pastor Benson writes:

“Last week, the locusts came to Nakuru (Africa)! They came within 2 kilometers of the orphanage (that is 1.24 miles). I got ALL of the children and the staff together and told them we need to ALL kneel and pray for our Jesus to take care of these locusts. We ALL knelt and prayed. A GREAT WIND came down out of the North so strong that it blew ALL of the locusts away in 1 1/2 hours. They were blown down to south Kenya near Victoria Falls. The fishing village there got out their big fishing nets and caught them by the millions, roasted them, and are eating them now. Praise the Lord! We have seen the Lord do many MIGHTY miracles for Fiwagoh. We are trusting Him now and claiming Psalm 91 and the promises with this corona virus.”

Our God will never forsake those who put their trust in Him. Truly, the Lord will never fail those who wait upon His promises. Those who claim God’s mercy and walk in His commandments are assured of the following: