As we are all aware, the world is in a hard place. The world as we know it is ridden with war, with famine, with floods and many plights.
To start us off I want to give us this gentle yet important reminder:
“And you will hear of wars and threats of wars, but don’t panic. Yes, these things must take place, but the end won’t follow immediately. Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in many parts of the world. But all this is only the first of the birth pains, with more to come.”
Matthew 24:6-8 NLT
It is all so bleak and discouraging but let us know that no sun or moon has risen and God has not allowed it to be so. I hope through the stories I tell you from the Bible you are able to see that in most drastic of times, God is present.
Saul and the 85 priests
“And he ordered his bodyguards, “Kill these priests of the Lord, for they are allies and conspirators with David! They knew he was running away from me, but they didn’t tell me!” But Saul’s men refused to kill the Lord’s priests. Then the king said to Doeg, “You do it.” So Doeg the Edomite turned on them and killed them that day, eighty-five priests in all, still wearing their priestly garments.”
1 Samuel 22:17-18 NLT
So in this story, King Saul was riddled with insecurity and was chasing after David (later to be known as King David). Due to the fear that people were colluding to take him out of power, He ordered the killing of 85 priests.
The question is why does the Lord allow things like this to happen? Honestly, we may never know, but what is clear is that the Lord holds creation in His hand.
“The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to him.”
Psalms 24:1 NLT
We can further rest in that the God who holds everything carefully in His hands and the plans of man is an unequivocally holy and good God. The death of the priests further emphasised how far Saul had strayed from God because of jealousy and pride. It serves as a teachable moment for us to know that even those anointed and chosen by God can stray away and do unthinkable things if not submitted to God’s authority.
“That is why God abandoned them to their shameful desires.”
Romans 1:26 NLT
The way God passes judgement on this earth is through allowing us to operate on our darkest desires. God protects us when He does not allow us to live in anarchy, debauchery or lawlessness. I am not saying all the painful things happening in the world to people are a direct result of their sinfulness. No never, however it is apparent that the earth is evil and lawlessness is rampant. If we do not submit to God’s authority, drastic things continue to happen.
Lord, we bow before your throne and ask you to be with us. Your spirit and your heart are good and nothing bad comes from you. Forgive us for our sins and please help us live a life worthy of your calling. Help us to submit to your authority always and forever.
The Death of Jesus
The death of Jesus will go down in history as one of the most unwarranted deaths. To put some context to it, as we all know Jesus is the son of God, and in all respects is God. Jesus, did not sin once. When they mocked Him, spat on Him, slapped Him and lied about Him not a single evil thought of sin crossed His mind. He was tempted like we were but never sinned in His mind or by His actions. Basically, this man was perfect. He was killed because of prejudice and jealousy.
“Then a mighty roar rose from the crowd, and with one voice they shouted, “Kill him, and release Barabbas to us!” (Barabbas was in prison for taking part in an insurrection in Jerusalem against the government, and for murder.) But they kept shouting, “Crucify him! Crucify him!””
Luke 23:18-19, 21 NLT
Barabbas was a terrorist to say it in the loosest way. Barabbas had taken part and plotted the murder of those in power. God watched as Jesus was taken to be killed by the people around Him. However God allowed it so that we could experience salvation.
God is in the best way long-suffering. He watched as His Son was killed but for your salvation and freedom He allowed it. Although He looks painfully upon all that is happening on the earth, He lets it happen for the greater good. I’m sure the Lord sounds like Thanos but I assure you, God is good and His heart for His people is pure.
Lord I pray that in the midst of all the painful things happening in the world, please continue to be a light. Lord help us to remember that in all the pain, your will for us is good. Let us trust your goodness in all things.
Jesus was meant to free Israel from Rome
The worldly purpose of the Messiah was to come as redeem the people from the reign of Rome. Rome had occupied Israel and had oppressed them for many years.
“So when the apostles were with Jesus, they kept asking him, “Lord, has the time come for you to free Israel and restore our kingdom?”
Acts of the Apostles 1:6 NLT
When the disciples asked these questions, Jesus answered; only the Lord knows the time and dates of these events. However, they were meant to go ahead and continue proclaiming the good news through the Holy Spirit. Let us continue to live for the Lord, proclaiming the good news and planting seeds of faith and hope.
As we look around us, the world is in disarray. The stories told above are told for you to find strength that all pain and misery are not lost to God. God sees, He hears and He grieves. However even in Gods grief He redeems and restores.
Today I pray that as we think of all the countries that are occupied and those are facing natural disasters, I pray may we find strength in continued prayer.
“Never stop praying.”
1 Thessalonians 5:17 NLT
Although prayer in a time like this feels minuscule, I encourage that continue to give the things that are weighing on our hearts to the creator of all. The Lord is in control and has always been.
Dear Lord. Thank you for your mercies and kindness. Lord although it all hurts and it is all discouraging, our faith is in you. You are God, the mighty one. Today we pray for peace, for healing and the world to heal. We can’t do it Father, only you have the power to do it.
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