A Word Of Encouragement

I sense a word of encouragement based on our God's word is in order this week for all of us. As we observe the extremely tenuous situations in Syria and Egypt, we can all easily become concerned and uneasy. When I refer to "all of us" this obviously includes residents of Israel but also includes all caring people around the world. Syria and Egypt currently are battleground countries involved in bitter civil wars, which depending on the outcome could have a devastating effect on the world economy.

How should we all react when we experience discouragement and challenging times? We can spend greatly expanded times in prayer; or we can sit at the feet of Jesus quietly and listen; or we can turn to our God's Word or all of the above. Isaiah 54 is called "The Messiah's Promise of Israel's Restoration." Verse 17 says to Israel but also to all believers "No weapon formed against you shall prosper" while Isaiah 55:11 says when we turn to God's Word "So shall My Word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to me void."

Additionally, Isaiah 55:9 says "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than yours, and My thoughts than your thoughts." We serve a powerful, loving, controling and orderly God who will always accomplish "His ways." I always love to share the following example of our God's order and control of all things in heaven and earth. Exactly 50 days after leaving Egypt, the Israelites received God's guidelines on how to live their lives at Mt. Sinai. However, a large portion of them in the process turned to idol worship and 3,000 perished. Also, exactly 50 days after Jesus was resurrected, Pentacost took place and after Peter's message 3,000 were saved. Is this a coincedence, I don't think so. Praise The Lord!

Discouragement and uneasness are not of our God. Let us be those who continually turn to our God and His Word during these difficult times to receive His encouragement and also be those who "Let our light shine" each and every day Luke 1:79.

May The Lord Bless You And Keep You This Day And Each Day,

Frank