Ezekiel 38 - God Has The Victory

Gog and Magog will gather with their allies against God's people. This is the word of the LORD. It is apparently being done so that everyone will know that the LORD is God for in the end they will not prevail. God will help His people. He will deliver them from the hand of the enemy.

Just as trial and tribulations have come to the old covenant church, they come to those in the new covenant as well. We should not unduly worry or fear troubles that comes to us here. Jesus promised us this:  “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33 NIV)

No matter what or who attacks you, know this: God is with you. Even at times when you might think that the enemy is prevailing, know this: God will always have the victory!

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Ezekiel 30 - Listen But Do Not Hear

Today, we read pretty much the same as yesterday. Egypt and her allies will fall. The Egyptians will be dispersed among the nations and then they will know that God is God.

Sometimes preachers and prophets have to say the same exact thing day after day, year after year, and still many do not hear. They listen but they do not hear.

Open our ears, eyes, hearts, and minds, LORD, that we might know your word and your will; that we might know You.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Psalm 7 - Watch What You Pray For

I am thinking that one would be have to be real careful praying this prayer!  "... if  there is guilt on my hands — if I have repaid my ally with evil or without cause have robbed my foe — then let my enemy pursue and overtake me; let him trample my life to the ground and make me sleep in the dust." (7:3-5 NIV)

Is there any that walk the earth that are not guilty;that have not sinned against others, themselves?  I'm not saying you shouldn't pray as David did.  I'm just saying, I'd be pretty cautious.  We not only be cursing others ourselves as well!  On the other hand, this prayer does distinguish between allies and oppressors.  I'd just be real careful of the words we choose to use! 

One of the things, I use to warn my children about was to be careful what they asked because they might get it.  I think that's a good thing to consider when approaching God, who hears our prayers and answers.  Be careful what you pray for because you might just get it! 

God's Peace - Pr. J

1 Samuel 27 - Allies

Is there anything new under the sun?

It was a bit tedious this morning reading about how David was given a city by Achish as though they were allies and how David went about raiding the other border cities in the land of the Philistines. Sounds a bit like the way countries today still work their politics. One can never know who their true ally really is. Allies come and go as sure as the seasons change and sometimes just as fast! One day we're arming and training another country's military and the next our sons and daughters are being killed by the same. Will we never learn?

Apparently Achish doesn't have a clue that trusting David could turn out very non-beneficial for his people. Achish actually trusts David in spite of the fact that David had previously killed "ten thousands" Philistines in the past. Achish leaves David alone in this border city of Ziklag.

May the LORD help us to deal honestly with our neighbors and they with us.