Our Lord God Responds

Within the last few weeks, we have heard continuous reports of the out of control scenarios in Syria and Egypt. The latest reports from Syria indicate the Assad government has for sure used chemical weapons on its own people. Additionally, the Egyptian army has shot and killed hundreds of supporters of the overthrown Morsi government.

As we attempt to ascertain prophetically the events in these two countries, Psalm 83 comes to mind. Verse four of Psalm 83 describes the enemy countries surrounding Israel as saying "Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation, that the name of Israel may be remembered no more." Bible scholars studying this verse have felt that Israel would be invaded by these and other surrounding enemy countries, this still might be the case.

However, recently I read a commentary which brings a different interpretation because of the total chaos in Syria and Egypt. Verses 9, 13, and 16 are prayers asking God to deal with these countries - "Deal with them. . .O my God, make them like the whirling dust, like the chaff before the wind. . .fill their faces with shame, that they may seek Your name, O Lord." Could what is happening in Syria and Egypt be answers by our Lord God to these prayers and, if so, they would be incapable of invading Israel at this time? Praise The Lord! 

We also need to be in earnest prayer for leaders in the United States and Israel. News reports this week reveal United States leaders are considering military intervention in Syria. This is a great concern in Israel because of reports that Syria backed by Iran would retaliate against Israel if the United States becomes militarily involved in Syria.

May The Lord Bless You And Keep You In His Care This Day and Each Day,

Frank   

What Does The Lord Require?

I recently read an article with this same title in the Dispatch From Jerusalem magazine. This article deeply touched me and I will share it with you but first let's look at the full verse from God's Word. "He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does The Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?" Micah 6:8.

The story. . .Irena Sendler was a young Polish nurse who worked in Nazi occupied Warsaw and risked her life to save 2,500 Jewish children from being deported to the concentration camps. In October 1940, almost 500,000 Jewish residents of Warsaw were imprisoned inside the walls of the Warsaw ghetto. Her position with the Warsaw social services allowed her access into the ghetto to give medical care to the people. She convinced Jewish parents that their children were in grave danger, and their only hope would be for her to secretly take their children out of harm's way.

Many parents allowed Irena to carry their sedated children out of the ghetto, concealed in sacks, supply boxes, trash bins, and even coffins. The tiniest ones were hidden in toolboxes. Outside the ghetto, she provided the children with false documents and hiding places.

Irena is an extraordinary example for all of us especially for those who love and support the Jewish people. Last year there was a 30% rise in Anti-Semitism world wide. As I read this story, I wondered if I am willing to act justly and show mercy not only to the Jewish people but to all mankind? I believe this is an appropriate question for all of us.

May The Lord Bless You And Keep You In His Care This Day And Each Day,

Frank



God Is Our Refuge And Strength

Our title for the message this week is from verse 1 of Psalm 46 in which  verse 6 says  "The nations raged." This certainly could be a description of the world in which we live and especially about the nations surrounding Israel.

Almost daily we hear of the extremely unstable conditions in Syria which is on the Northern border of Israel. Likewise on the Southern border is a similar unstable scenario in Egypt. Last Thursday, Israel closed an airport at Eilat on the Red Sea reacting to threats of rockets to be fired at the resort town. The next day five militants were killed and a rocket launcher destroyed resulting from what is believed to be an Israeli Drone attack.

Yes, we could say that Syria and Egypt are raging as Psalm 46 predicts. How should we as God's people and especially those living in Israel react to all this? We should turn to God's word in general and to Psalm 46 in particular for peace and comfort. Notice the following words of strength and comfort in Psalm 46: Verse 1 "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble; Verse 2 Therefore we will not fear; Verse 7 The Lord of hosts is with us, The God of Jacob is our refuge; Verse 10 Be still, and know that I am God, I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!"

Lord, we pray Your Words of peace and comfort in Psalm 46 and similar words in Your Holy Book will be real to the people of Israel each and every day and they also will remember how you have lifted them out of trouble and difficulty numerous times in the past and will do it now and in the future according to Your Word, AMEN!

May The Lord Bless You And Keep You In His Care This Day And Each Day,

Frank  

Obedience To The Lord God

The Israelis and the Palestinians are once again meeting eye to eye to try and resolve the supposed "land issue" in the Middle East. Similar talks over many years have started and stopped with little or no results. Those of us who love and know The One True God have been encouraged to pray for the participants. So this raises the question of how to pray most effectively?

The true and living Word of God is our best guide regarding how we should pray. It has been said that the Word of God contains the answers to all of life's challenges. Through His Word we learn how God responded to the actions of His people in the past but also to the prayers of His people.

For example, let us look at Abraham who was called "A friend of God" because of his obedience to God. The Lord said to Abram in Genesis 12:1 "Get out of your country. . .to a land I will show you." Abraham obeyed even though he had no idea where God wanted him and his family to go. Also, in Genesis 22 The Lord spoke to Abraham telling him to offer Isaac as a burnt offering on Mt. Moriah. The Abrahamic Covenant was to be continued through Isaac and Jacob and their descendants. Abraham again obeyed God and at the last moment God provided a ram as the sacrifice. God responded in verse 18 "In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice."

Contrarily, in Isaiah 48:17-18 The Lord proclaims to Judah the benefits of obeying Him and possibly even avoiding exile in Babylon "Thus says The Lord, your Redeemer, The Holy One of Israel; I am The Lord your God, who teaches you to profit, who leads you by the way you should go. Oh, that you had heeded my commandants! Then your peace would have been like a river, and your righteousness like the waves of the sea." They disobeyed with resulting consequences.

Obey God or not - this is the real issue concerning the new talks. Will the leaders who serve The One True God seek His counsel and then obey? We can be those who pray on a regular basis bringing about their obedience to their God.

May The Lord Bless You And Keep You In His Care This Day And Each Day,

Frank

Doing What Is Right!

This week we have heard that Israelis and Palestinians have started to meet in order to establish parameters necessary prior to officially restarting the Peace Talks. In reality, the term Peace Talks is inaccurate. The name of the talks, if they happen, should have something to do with how much land does Israel have to surrender? This is always the criteria which is totally contrary to the will of The Lord God, Genesis 15:18. The land was given to Abraham and his descendants!

This battle over the land has been going on for a very long time. Toward the end of World War II, the question arose as to what is to happen to the Jews in Europe who have survived the Holocaust? At about the same time, for the first time officially, the Biltmore Declaration stated "Palestine should be established as a Jewish Commonwealth."

Additionally, President Roosevelt, Winston Churchill and Josef Stalin in 1945 participated in the Yalta Conference to discuss land allocations after World War II ended. The Jewish Refugee problem was never discussed. As a result, President Roosevelt met with Saudi Monarch Ibn Saud in Egypt after Yalta. Saud's response to the plight of the Jews was "Arabs and Jews could never cooperate, neither in Palestine or any other country. Arabs would rather die."

Shortly after Yalta President Roosevelt passed away and Harry Truman became President. How would Truman handle the Jewish Refugee problem? Secretary of State Marshall felt the United States should not support the establishment of Israel as a Jewish nation. Truman had to make a difficult decision.

Israel was founded as a nation on May 14, 1948 with Truman's endorsement. What caused Truman's approval? He was raised a Baptist and studied the Old Testament and often quoted from Deuteronomy. In this book of the Bible The Lord God said to Abraham's descendants "Behold I have given up the land before you. Go in and take possession of the land." President Truman based his decision on The Word of God. He did What Was Right according to The Word of God. 

Let us all pray for today's leaders that they also will do what is right regarding the land issue in Israel!

May The Lord Bless You And Keep You In His Care This Day And Each Day,

Frank