always before me.
Because He is at my right hand,
I will not be shaken."
(Psalm 16:8,
see also Acts 2:25)
My home is within about 10 miles of a major military base. From time to time, I can hear (and feel!) the military maneuvers in progress. The aftershocks physically shake my home, rattling windows in the frame, popping nails in the ceiling, and shaking dishes in the cabinet. Sometimes, an explosion is so palpable that it quickens my heart, jolting and startling me, even though I'm halfway expecting it.
Today is one of those days, and, as I listen to the sound of military exercises for the practice of war, my heart is drawn to those in the Middle East, particularly those in Israel and the Gaza Strip, who are being shaken by the sounds of actual war.
I'm not sure that the Lord desires for my opinions about the current fighting there to litter this post, but I am sure that He desires my prayers for all who are being affected by it.
One thing I do know, as does anyone who treasures God's Word as recorded in The Holy Bible, is that we are commanded to pray for the peace of Israel. "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: 'May those who love you be secure. May there be peace within your walls and security within your citadels. For the sake of my brothers and friends, I will say, 'Peace be within you.' For the sake of the house of the LORD our God, I will seek your prosperity." (Psalm 122:6-9).
Another thing I know from God's Word is that there will not be lasting peace until He returns to restore it (reference, among other Scriptures, Isaiah 9:7, 49, 66:12-16; Jeremiah 23, 30; Ezekiel 13:10-16; Hosea 2:16-23; Micah 3:5; Haggai 2:1-9).
In the meantime, there is a whole lot of shakin' goin' on ... not only in Israel, not only in the Middle East, but in every city, every country, and every continent around the world. The shaking will only intensify until it culminates on the Day of the Lord (reference, among other Scriptures, Isaiah 2:6-22, 13, 24, 30; Joel 2; Amos 9; Haggai 2; Matthew 24; Mark 13; Luke 21:5-36).
As the Lord's shaking sifts and winnows, hold fast to Him. Be encouraged by His Spirit and enlightened by His Word.
"Do not fret because of evil men
or be envious of those who do wrong;
for like the grass
they will soon wither,
they will soon wither,
like green plants
they will soon die away.
they will soon die away.
Trust in the LORD and do good;
dwell in the land
and enjoy safe pasture.
and enjoy safe pasture.
Delight yourself in the LORD
and He will give you
the desires of your heart.
the desires of your heart.
Commit your way to the LORD;
trust in Him and He will do this:
He will make your righteousness
shine like the dawn,
shine like the dawn,
the justice of your cause
like the noonday sun.
like the noonday sun.
Be still before the LORD
and wait patiently for Him;
and wait patiently for Him;
do not fret
when men succeed in their ways,
when men succeed in their ways,
when they carry out
their wicked schemes.
their wicked schemes.
Refrain from anger
and turn from wrath;
and turn from wrath;
do not fret—it leads only to evil.
For evil men will be cut off,
but those who hope in the LORD
will inherit the land.
will inherit the land.
A little while,
and the wicked will be no more;
and the wicked will be no more;
though you look for them,
they will not be found.
they will not be found.
But the meek will inherit the land
and enjoy great peace.
The wicked plot
against the righteous
against the righteous
and gnash their teeth at them;
but the Lord laughs at the wicked,
for He knows their day is coming.
The wicked draw the sword
and bend the bow
to bring down the poor and needy,
to slay those
whose ways are upright.
whose ways are upright.
But their swords
will pierce their own hearts,
will pierce their own hearts,
and their bows will be broken.
Better the little
that the righteous have
that the righteous have
than the wealth of many wicked;
for the power of the wicked
will be broken,
will be broken,
but the LORD upholds the righteous.
The days of the blameless
are known to the LORD,
are known to the LORD,
and their inheritance
will endure forever.
will endure forever.
In times of disaster
they will not wither;
they will not wither;
in days of famine
they will enjoy plenty.
they will enjoy plenty.
But the wicked will perish:
The LORD's enemies will be
like the beauty of the fields,
like the beauty of the fields,
they will vanish—vanish like smoke.
The wicked borrow and do not repay,
but the righteous give generously;
those the LORD blesses
will inherit the land,
will inherit the land,
but those He curses will be cut off.
If the LORD delights in a man's way,
He makes his steps firm;
though he stumble, he will not fall,
for the LORD upholds him
with His hand.
with His hand.
I was young and now I am old,
yet I have never seen
the righteous forsaken
the righteous forsaken
or their children begging bread.
They are always generous
and lend freely;
and lend freely;
their children will be blessed.
Turn from evil and do good;
then you will dwell
in the land forever.
in the land forever.
For the LORD loves the just
and will not forsake His faithful ones.
They will be protected forever,
but the offspring of the wicked
will be cut off;
will be cut off;
the righteous will inherit the land
and dwell in it forever.
The mouth of the righteous man utters wisdom,
and his tongue speaks what is just.
The law of his God is in his heart;
his feet do not slip.
The wicked lie in wait
for the righteous,
for the righteous,
seeking their very lives;
but the LORD will not leave them
in their power
in their power
or let them be condemned
when brought to trial.
when brought to trial.
Wait for the LORD
and keep His way.
He will exalt you to inherit the land;
when the wicked are cut off,
you will see it.
you will see it.
I have seen
a wicked and ruthless man
a wicked and ruthless man
flourishing like a green tree
in its native soil,
in its native soil,
but he soon passed away
and was no more;
and was no more;
though I looked for him,
he could not be found.
he could not be found.
Consider the blameless,
observe the upright;
observe the upright;
there is a future for the man of peace.
But all sinners will be destroyed;
the future of the wicked
will be cut off.
will be cut off.
The salvation of the righteous
comes from the LORD;
comes from the LORD;
He is their stronghold
in time of trouble.
in time of trouble.
The LORD helps them
and delivers them;
and delivers them;
He delivers them from the wicked
and saves them,
and saves them,
because they take refuge in Him."
(Psalm 37)
Precious Father, thank You for the gift of Your Word, which enlightens and encourages us. Thank You for the gift Your Spirit, Who indwells and guides those who accept the gift of salvation through Your Son, Jesus Christ. "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 6:23). Father, I pray for Your people, Israel. I pray so many things on their behalf, but, most of all, I pray for the complete revelation of You. I pray for those who harm them out of ignorance, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." (Luke 23:34). I do not know what to pray for those who purposefully defy You, but I trust in your justice and righteousness (reference Job 37:23; Psalm 9:8, 33:5, 36:6, 89:14, 92:2, 103:6; Isaiah 1:27, 5:16, 9:7, 16:5, 28:17, 32:1, 32:16, 33:5, 51:5, 56:1; Jeremiah 9:24; Hosea 2:19; Amos 5:24), and I pray in the name of Jesus Christ, "the Righteous One" (1 John 2:1)! Amen.
and the hills be removed,
yet My unfailing love for you
will not be shaken
nor My covenant of peace
be removed,'
says the LORD,
Who has compassion on you."
(Isaiah 54:10)
For further reflection on this topic, see also ...
How can I encourage and pray for you today? Please let me know by clicking on "Sparks Share" at the end of today's reflection, and scroll down to the "Comments" box. You may choose to comment anonymously, if you prefer. Feel free to leave your praises and insights as well!
Copyright 2009. Kathryn B. Wells. All Rights Reserved.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment