A STRANGE ANSWER TO PRAYER!

 

Tuesday, December 29, 2020

 

I hope you enjoy this Christmas Classic.

 

A STRANGE ANSWER TO PRAYER!

 

Dan 10:1

10 In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a thing was revealed unto Daniel, whose name was called Belteshazzar; and the thing was true, but the time appointed was long: and he understood the thing, and had understanding of the vision.

 

Do you remember a scene in the film “It’s a Wonderful Life?” George sits cold and wet from rescuing Clarence from his attempted suicide? Clarence says: “Your lip’s bleeding George!” George answers wearily and says: "Yeah. I got a bust in the jaw in answer to a prayer a little bit ago." Well, I’m not sure what you may be going through today, but a “bust in the jaw” seems to be a valid answer to George’s prayer – and perhaps yours too. It says, “your prayer is received and the answer is on its way!”

 

           Do you remember the scene in Daniel when the angel skids to a stop after bursting through the veil of invisibility to tell him that his prayer had been heard and answered?  “O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak unto thee, and stand upright: for unto thee am I now sent. And when he had spoken this word unto me, I stood trembling.” Dan 10:11 The Angel, seen only by Daniel, explains that he was dispatched immediately but was held up by the Prince of Persia for three full weeks (see verse 13). I can only imagine the sparks that flew from that clash!

 

           To me, the message is clear, although I forget it often. God hears our prayers and moves to answer us in the most beneficial way. Even if it means a bust in the chops! Another message is also clear. Satan and his princes are against us. Perhaps they even hear our prayers, and their answer is to destroy or delay but eventually a weary and worn angel bursts through the veil of invisibility to deliver to us an answer and then exits to continue the fight.

 

Let us not be so earth-bound as to forget that there is a cosmic conflict, and we are the prize. That’s pretty heady stuff. Hang in there! Later in the film, the bleeding lip and a few old rose petals remind George that “It’s a Wonderful Life!”

 

Dear Lord, I know that, like Daniel, I am a man greatly beloved. Thank you for swift answers to my prayer even if it seems to be a bust in the chops! AMEN

RULED BY WOMEN AND CHILDREN!

 

Monday, December 28, 2020

 

RULED BY WOMEN AND CHILDREN!

 

Isa 3:11-12

11 Woe unto the wicked! it shall be ill with him: for the reward of his hands shall be given him.

12 As for my people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O my people, they which lead thee cause thee to err, and destroy the way of thy paths. KJV

 

           The Bible is not politically correct and does not tiptoe around sensitive topics. Having said that, I know I will likely be branded a sexist simply by suggesting that women are less adept as rulers than men. Even the available commentaries are cautious when handling the above verses but there is an uncomfortable comparison with our own government.

 

           Today we hang precariously between Christmas and a new year, yet we still have an undecided election in America. A pall of illegitimacy hangs over it and we seem willing to allow it to do so. How did we arrive at such an uncomfortable circumstance? Isaiah saw a similar situation in his time. Children oppressed the people and women held strong influence.

 

           If our scripture is to be understood, then we must know that it likely refers to the rule of Ahaz who came to power at the age of twenty. The uncomfortable reference to female rule likely refers to the influence wielded by the king’s wives. We see a similar situation with Jezebel and Ahab who had Naboth killed for his adjoining land. Childishness, selfishness, and cruelty marked the effeminate rulers devoid of manliness.

 

           God will stand up in judgment, and chapter four indicates that so many men will be killed that “seven women will take hold of one man” and ask to be his wife. They offer to support themselves if that one man would marry them.

 

           If we are frustrated with wickedness, imagine how irritated God must be! Listen to verse eleven. “Woe unto the wicked! it shall be ill with him: for the reward of his hands shall be given him.” Isa 3:11

 

           Three chapters later, Isaiah sees God in a vision high and lifted up. Isaiah recognizes and acknowledges his own sin and the sins of his people. Once cleansed, Isaiah volunteers to become God’s spokesman for righteousness. God still offers a remedy to the penitent and righteousness to the wicked.

 

2 Chron 7:13-14

13 If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command the locusts to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among my people;

14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

 

Oh, God! We have sinned and do not deserve the least of Thy mercies. Yet you have provided your own Son as a remedy to all who will trust and receive Him. In judgment, remember mercy. AMEN

CHANGE, FEAR, AND HOPE!

 

Sunday, December 27, 2020

 

CHANGE, FEAR, AND HOPE!

 

Josh 3:3-5

3 And they commanded the people, saying, When ye see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, and the priests the Levites bearing it, then ye shall remove from your place, and go after it.

4 Yet there shall be a space between you and it, about two thousand cubits by measure: come not near unto it, that ye may know the way by which ye must go: for ye have not passed this way heretofore.

5 And Joshua said unto the people, Sanctify yourselves: for to morrow the Lord  will do wonders among you.

 

           We are just a few days from exchanging the old year to the new. Three things capture my thoughts: change – hope – and fear. 2020 has been a very stressful and difficult year for many, and change is both welcomed and feared. Hope is encouraged but it is weakly expressed.

 

           Change may have come in the form of empty chairs due to the tragic and sorrowful death of family members and friends. Other chairs, usually vacant, are now filled because of loss of employment. Nothing brings change like a new baby but even this can bring stress along with joy. Nothing is so unchanging as change.

 

           Uncertainty almost always encourages fear. It is why we dip our toes into the water before plunging in headlong. It is why investors are often called speculators. Uncertainty is the travelling companion of change. Uncertainty also travels with eager expectation which leads us into our third thought of the day.

 

           Hope is the expectation that things will turn out well. Sometimes it is based only upon itself. Hope in hope! In better times hope is based upon calculated circumstances and trends. It is what turns speculators into investors! The best hope is based upon solid character – such as the hope we have in Christ.

 

Heb 6:18-19

18 That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:

19 Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;

 

Dear Lord, we cannot stop change. We ask for help with our fears as we place our hope in you and your solid character. Thank you for your steadfastness toward us. AMEN