““Blessed be the LORD, who has given rest to His people Israel, according to all that He promised. There has not failed one word of all His good promise, which He promised through His servant Moses. May the LORD our God be with us, as He was with our fathers. May He not leave us nor forsake us, that He may incline our hearts to Himself, to walk in all His ways, and to keep His commandments and His statutes and His judgments, which He commanded our fathers.”
I Kings 8:56-58 NKJV“Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.””
Deuteronomy 31:6 NKJV“Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” So we may boldly say: “The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?””
Hebrews 13:5-6 NKJVPromises
I would describe my state yesterday as breathless. In a span of a few days, Israel exploded into unrest and appears to be tipping toward civil war, as rockets fly into Jerusalem and sorties drop bombs on targets in Gaza. I watched as a building was toppled by bombing. I hope people got out.
The enemies of Israel are amassing as the world, devoid of God, is going against them, seeking to deny their right to exist.
I am watching it all with mixed emotions, as God has given me a heart that relentlessly seeks to see the whole picture, without bias. There is much evil at work on both sides of the conflict.
I can also see the sovereign hand of God in the middle of it all. He is beginning to make His play, setting the stage for the ultimate invasion: the return of His Son, Jesus.
In my morning reading in I Kings chapter 8, I happened on the dedication of the temple. I was reminded of God’s faithfulness once again. I needed that as a reminder as our world makes yet another tumble to the edge of the cliff.
God had delivered the nation Israel from Egypt, into the promised land, through endless wars and victories, and had been with King David through it all. Now all was at rest.
As I read, other Scripture verses came to mind and I felt a greater sense of peace, and a greater desire to seek the Lord and fulfill the mission He has for me. I was reminded that I know the end of the story, and we win.
He had given the children of Israel rest, and He will do it again. Though the darkness seems to be encroaching, black as pitch, a fear pervasive, those huddled in shelters can be assured that all things will work together for God’s will. I am sure that many of them do not fully understand that, as the nation Israel is mostly a secular nation, where few know the Lord.
Sprinkled in amongst the nonbelievers are those who have been saved by Jesus, on mission, bringing the Gospel to that nation. Pray for those in Frontier Alliance International (FAI) and One for Israel, just two ministries bringing the Gospel. Pray for their safety and their opportunity to be bold in sharing the Good News.
Brothers and sisters, this may be the beginning of things hoped for, but only time will tell. But we must pray regardless. At the rate that it is escalating, there seems to be no end in sight and both sides are planning more attacks, and there are rumblings of outsiders getting involved too.
We may be witnessing the rolling up of the carpet of history, as the end of the age is near.
For those in the household of faith, those born again and believers of the Word of God, it is not a time for fear, or even elation at the hope of some sudden escape. It is a call to do the work of sharing the message that Jesus has given us to go and take into all the world.
“For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures,”
I Corinthians 15:3-4 NKJV“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.”
Matthew 28:19-20 NKJVIt is time to shake off the concerns of this world, and be about the Father’s business. No more time for distractions, no more time for sitting on comfortable pews. There are souls that need saving. There are no more programs to run, no more events, but a need to go out, open your mouth and tell people about Jesus. Tell the of His promises and His faithfulness.
We are waiting now, and I suspect the wait won’t be long.
““But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near. Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those who are in the midst of her depart, and let not those who are in the country enter her. For these are the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! For there will be great distress in the land and wrath upon this people. And they will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led away captive into all nations. And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.”
Luke 21:20-24 NKJVTHE PRAYER CHAIR IS OPEN! Send me your requests!
Promises
Published
Musings from an idle mind 
What an exciting time to be alive! 1 Peter 4:7. I am so grateful to know and trust our one and true God.
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