Wednesday Musings Oct. 1, 2014

Wednesday musings October 1, 2014

Two thoughts this morning about a couple very different things.

I know many of us wonder about the great earthquakes that will come upon the earth as scripture speaks of them. I live in the Pacific NW and all the talk is that another BIG one..8-9 earthquake is on the horizon anytime. As was reading these two scriptures seem to get glued into the frontof my mind.

Ps. 75: 4/3..When the earth quakes with all living in it, it is I who hold its support pillars firm.

And Ps 93 1: The world is well established. It cannot be moved.

I so remember , as I drove alone State Route 508 some years ago, driving back and forth to work , praying for the hillside above the highway. I was encouraged of the Lord to believe Him to have his angels drive stakes into the hillside, holding it. I never dreamed that one day I would live on that hillside and be there when an earthquake shook the region. We suffered no loss on that hillside. But today, Lord....how do we pray facing an earthquake that will shake the very foundations of earth and heaven, as the scripture says, and maybe many  earthquakes previous to that that will do unimagined destruction?  That is my question.

Another thought that seems in the forefront of my thinking as many of the nations of the world face the reality of other groups than Al Queda like ISIL/ISIS coming forth out of the darkness in which their existence has been enshrouded. I so often hear my Christian brothers talk about judgment upon these wicked/evil purposing groups. Yet I read this morning something that cautioned me to ever even think this way.

Ps. 94:1

God of vengeance, ADONAI!

God of vengeance, appear!

Pay back the proud as they deserve!

I was momentarily caught up with the idea of ISIS and other violent extremist groups being dealt the hand of the Lord, when that last part came to my attention.

PAY BACK THE PROUD AS THEY DESERVE!!

How does that apply to us in the USA? How does that apply to us who call ourselves Christians in the USA and we sit in our paneled buildings, the comfort of our “secure” homes, with TVs, smart phones and tons of other conveniences, in what much of the world would call the lap of luxury? How does proud fit a nation with one of the highest abortion rates in the world and one of the highest percentage of people incarcerated in the world? I don't know but somehow the arrogance of the American people and me included, seems to qualify for “proud”!

As I see our nation's leadership calling forth a coalition with those we ourselves have declared to be our enemy and even ignoring the power of one of our enemies to develop nuclear bomb capacity, I wonder if it isn't bringing us closer to when this Awesome God of ours, the God of Vengeance will indeed pay us back for what we deserve? A nation who appears to not be able to see through our own ideology to see the difference between civilians killed in Gaza and the few civilians killed in Israel in the Israeli/Hamas conflict?

As we come to that time when the spotlight of the world is on Israel as never before, is it possible we, in the USA, are blinded by our own pride in thinking that somehow we really know what is “right and what is wrong” in the world even though our own infrastructure is failing at an unprecedented rate, the number of abortions continues to arise, the use of drugs is legalized and yet not enforced within the legal parameters of the law and violent escalates in numerous ways across the country, especially near our borders?

I hear some of the prophets saying that we won't see another 9/11 because the body of Christ is crying out. And I do hear cries, but sadly the cries that I hear aren't ones addressing the failures and shortcomings of us, the body of Christ! But then I don't hear what God is hearing.

However, I may  be in over my head in these matters. Yet  I don't see the changes that need to come to “protect” America either in the spiritual dimension or in the practical dimension of our borders being protected. Instead I see wide open doors letting all kinds of those who are our enemy come into this nation without any check, and at times it seems the welcome mat is out for even the worst of the kind of terrorists such as MS-13.

It would seem that the type of things that run our airways also must change if we are going to see a turn around in our nation of the violence and cruelty that is on the increase. Yes, we see some “religious/spiritual” things coming to TV and the theaters but that is such a dribble of effect considering the attendance at the horror, violent and sexually explicit movies and programs infiltrating our nation on a regular basis.

I think of how the Lord told Jerusalem that her behavior even the Philistine women found revolting. (Ezekiel 16:27) Today, much of what is going on in the USA, would cause much of the world to blush as we have “outdone ourselves” in corruption and sexual deviancy. Are we as “bad” as them yet? That isn't the issue...the issue is that this nation represented Christian values and a standard which stands as it always has to judge us.

Oh Lord, what then are we to do? We are but frail human beings whose lives are as a piece of grass that wilts and dies at your very breath!

And I hear Arise and Shine, for the glory of the Lord is risen upon you!

Yes, there is still a place for each of us as the dark gets darker, for then even a little light appears brighter and is seen in the darkness.

Shine where you are planted! Even in the deepest darkest pit, a tiny light might shine to give encouragement to another. But there is no “pride” in shining. A time will come when we are only able to “save ourselves” not those around us. Even now, it is about Him, our trust and faith in who He is. Somehow as Christians in the USA, we have gained some sense of “identity” as Christians rather than finding our identity in Him. In a world lost in the ravages of violence and sexual deviancy, I think of what Paul said...and remember you too were once captive of these very things. Remembering that, we don't elevate ourselves in pride, but gain “common ground” with those, who like us, are beloved of the Father and who are being called into a relationship of discipleship with Him for eternity! There and there only, it seems we can cry out for the mercy of the Lord God Almighty, the God who is the God of Vengeance, as well as the God of Mercy and Justice, and in judgment, Lord, remember mercy!

Meri Ford

Meri Ford 516 Park Rd Winlock, WA 98596

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