Monday, April 29, 2024

Monday Meditation: And Therein Lies Our Hope


 


"But when anything is exposed and reproved by light, it is made visible and clear;
and where everything is visible and clear there is light.  Therefore, He says,
 Awake, O, sleeper, and arise from the dead and Christ shall make
 day dawn upon you and give you light."
(Ephesians 5:13-14)



Pro-Hamas protesters at the University of Pennsylvania formed a human chain and hoisted
a banner at   the anti-Israel encampment on the college green chanting,
"What do we want? Justice!  When do we want it? Now!  If we don't get it? Shut it down!"
Photograph courtesy/ Tim Kennedy/The Daily Signal


The justice of the world stands in opposition to the justice of God.


In his sermon, "Disciples In Clay" Dr. Peter Marshall Sr. spoke of Christ's own
disciples after He was crucified, buried, and resurrected.  Even though the 
Lord appeared to them after He rose from the dead, the apostle Thomas refused
to believe this until he had visible proof.   And, although they witnessed His 
 glorious ascension into heaven and heard instructions from the angels that day, 
it was not until these men-who had followed after the Lord for three years,
 and who had seen with their own eyes His wonderful miracles and gained
 insight from His teachings were filled with the Holy Spirit- 
that they changed.

"Not until the Spirit came upon them in power were they changed,"
wrote Dr. Marshall.  "so that cowardice gave place to courage...unbelief
became a flaming faith and conviction nothing on earth could shake...
jealousy was swallowed up in brotherly love...self-interest was killed
and became a ministry to others...fear was banished, and they were
afraid of no man...no threat, no danger."

Now, Christianity, the power of Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit of God, is the
only force that can change people for good. It is the only power in the world
that can change the gears in a man's life from self-will to God's will. It is the
 only power that can give a man the right motives- to do what God wants him to do.

And therein lies our hope."


Jerusalem, Israel
Photograph courtesy/The Australian Jewish News



God is very clear in His Word concerning the nation and people of Israel.

As He promised Abraham, "And I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse
the one who curses, dishonors, has contempt for you. And in you all the nations
of the earth will be blessed."
(Genesis 12:3)

Unlike our current political leaders of today, God means what He says.
 He never fails in fulfilling His promises.   The organized madness 
across our land is both irritating and disgusting, as is the obvious 
complicity in these anti-Israel, pro-Hamas protests on behalf of the 
Biden Administration, Hollywood, Big Tech, and the news media.

Although I know we should pray for a change of heart within our
leadership, I feel strongly that our prayers need to focus on the
thousands of disillusioned young people being lied to and 
deceived into demanding "justice" for the enemies of God.

We need men and women equipped with 'flaming faith and conviction'
 tempered by love and mercy, to storm the gates of heaven on their
behalf, and, with the leading and guidance of the Holy Spirit, to be able to
 confront and refute the lies of Satan with the sound doctrine of God's Word.

Far more importantly, we need to witness the powerful message of salvation
found only in and through a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.

We need to continue to intercede on behalf of the nation and people of Israel,
 and for many frightened Jewish people here in America and around the world
 who are fleeing from persecution and death threats. May God bless the
lives of His Chosen people and keep them safe in His love and mercy.

Please pray against terrorism, both here in America, and abroad,
 and that each and every attempt to attack Israel made by their enemies
 will fail miserably, and, that the defeat of their enemies will not only provide
 the Israeli people will strength and courage, but with a deep spiritual
hunger to know their God.

Please pray for the peace of Jerusalem.  There will never be true
and lasting peace in the world, nor real justice, until Messiah comes
to rule and reign from His glorious kingdom there.

Maranatha!


Excerpts from the sermon,
"Disciples In Clay"
from the book,
"Mr. Jones, Meet The Master"
Sermon and Prayers of Peter Marshall
(c.1949, 1950))
Fleming H. Revell Company

The Reverend Dr. Peter Marshall Sr.
(1902-1949)
Scottish-American preacher
Twice-appointed Chaplain of the United States Senate




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