Ezekiel 26 - Check the "Aha"; God is Watching You

Consider Tyre, they too laugh at Jerusalem, saying "Aha!" (Ezek 26:2 NIV) They are glad for Jerusalem's fall at the hands of Nebuchadnezzar. They now have a little less competition. They think that because Jerusalem has fallen, they will now prosper even more. But, they will not be glad for long. God will send this same Nebuchadnezzar to ravage Tyre. They will no longer be the great city that they were.

Consider, again those whom you would laugh at and rejoice over when they fall because you might now have an advantage. Consider your boasting when you prevail over a friend or foe. Does God not hear? Will He come to their aid and take all that you thought you had won away?

God's Peace - Pr. J

Psalm 83 - Let The Enemies Growl

Enemies growl and foes rear their heads.  But, those who trust in the LORD know that the LORD will overcome all His enemies.  In fact, He already has.  On the cross the enemy was defeated.  Sadly, it appears that the enemy isn't always aware of that and he keeps on growling.

It can be tedious living in a world where the enemies of God and God's people keep on growling. It can be most wearisome. A day does not go by when I don't encounter someone, many someones, growling against God and His people.  But, God's people will continue to pray as the psalmist prays and their hope renewed and strengthened through faith. We are confident that the enemy will not overcome us. Those who think they might will find themselves ashamed and dismayed for their sin against God.  They will, in the end, know that the LORD, alone, is Most High over all the earth. (Psalm 83:17, 18 NIV)

Let the enemies growl.  The LORD God is our God and He is rules over all the earth!  Thanks be to God!

God's Peace - Pr. J

Psalm 3 - Prayer of Protection

David prays for deliverance from his enemies.  He is confident that the LORD will deliver him.

A confession that I often hear is that someone feels guilty for praying that their enemies be stopped in their tracks, no matter what that entails.  They feel guilty about this kind of prayer.  As we read through Psalms, we're going to find that David, God's chosen, prays this type of prayer quite a bit.

There are a lot of foes that will try to put an end to the work of the LORD through His servants.  It is, I think, quite appropriate to pray for protection that His work be continued through us. 

One thing that I would remind us all of, though, is that even as we might be praying that our enemies might be stopped, they may well be praying that we be stopped in our tracks, as well.  And... God may answer.  None of us are without sin.  Ask yourself, who really is the enemy of the LORD here?  Is it I or those who oppose me?

May God deliver and continue to sustain us both night and day. May His blessing be upon His people.

God's Peace - Pr. J