Tuesday, December 8, 2015
Devotion VIDEO here
In
that day Israel will be the third, along with Egypt and Assyria, a blessing in
the midst of the earth. For the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will say, “Blessed be Egypt, my people. Blessed be Assyria, the land I have made. Blessed be Israel, my special possession!” Isaiah 19:24-25(NLT)
With
all the heated debate going on in America concerning Syrian refugees, ISIS, and
the rampage of mass shootings, I think it may be next to impossible to
entertain what Isaiah suggests – that Assyria, (blessed Assyria according to
Isaiah), along with Egypt and Israel are three parts of a blessing for the
whole planet. But I’m also wondering how
many of us are thinking straight these days; you know – thinking with the mind
of Christ[2]
Isaiah
is obviously remembering, looking back to a time when there was more harmony between
Israel, Egypt and Syria (in his day that was largely due to the influence of an
expanded Assyrian empire during the 9th – 7th centuries
B.C.). But Isaiah also points to the
future; after all his predictions of judgment, there is always a window left
open towards restoration and reconciliation.
Look
at the map showing where Syria and Egypt are located; notice particularly that
Israel stands right between the two – the position of the intercessor! If ever there was an image of the ministry of
Christ, it is this. Egypt had held
Israel in bondage before there was an “official” Israel. Later Syria held Israel AND Egypt under its empirical
thumb. In Isaiah’s future the pathway to
Syria and Egypt flow through Jerusalem!
And,
who knows, perhaps ours is a time that is ripe for change. The question haunts me; is America and the
west positioned and ready for just such a time as this?
Whatever
God’s plan is at this time for the middle-east (and the rest of the universe),
it is certain for all times that we must be about the business of the
Kingdom of God; we must be much more about open minds and hearts than borders
and weapons. Gun control issues aside –
let the talking heads have ears – killing is birthed in the heart.
Christian
people must remember that Christ gave up all of His rights to accomplish His
ministry. And that ministry has precious
little to do with the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. (Before the vitriolic cards and letters
begin, please note: I do own a handgun to
protect our home, and I served in the U.S. Army in Vietnam). I am not against the rights we
enjoy, including the right to bear arms. What I AM saying is, for Christians we make
too much of those rights, and too little of the ministry of the Prince of
Peace. His coming divided households;
his resurrection was to draw all people together.
Having
served in the military, and in the Lord’s army, I think I’ve earned an opinion
on this issue. I understand that peace-loving
and peace-keeping can be almost antithetical concepts at times: the former requiring conditions of settled
souls enjoying calm freedom; the latter demanding raised weapons. But I have more of a cautionary response
toward my friends who want to raise the weapons first, foremost, and ever. Gandhi wasn’t even a Christian and he
understood that with war you create more war, which means death and
devastation. It is only with peace-making
in our hearts, and on our minds that we may appropriately take up war with
sadness and resolve. Anger to retaliate never
passes the bar of righteous anger, no matter whose flag you wave.
For You Today
Jesus’
friend, Peter has the right words for Christians worried about Syria (or
anything):
Think about that out on the
Rocky Road today…and have a great day!
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