Saturday, October 5, 2013

5 October 2013 - ten times the more

5 October 2013 - ten times the more

You were sold to the nations
not for your destruction;

Even if the situation we face is pretty bad we don't need to fear.  Even if it seems very much opposed to God's plan (for the Church or for us) we must recognize that, while he doesn't cause such things, he does allow them and is capable of bringing still greater good from them.

Can God really bring greater good from the destruction of innocent human life, the rampant misuse of sexuality, and the suppression of religious freedom itself?  Absolutely.  The Israelites face these same problems and God does for them just as he can for us.

Fear not, my children; call out to God!
He who brought this upon you will remember you.
As your hearts have been disposed to stray from God,
turn now ten times the more to seek him;

What if, because of these circumstances (of nation, or family, or self) we seek him "ten times the more" than ever before.

The LORD "hears the poor, and his own who are in bonds he spurns not."  That is why Jesus gives us power to push back the strongholds of darkness in our world.

Jesus said, “I have observed Satan fall like lightning from the sky. 
Behold, I have given you the power
‘to tread upon serpents’ and scorpions
and upon the full force of the enemy
and nothing will harm you.

As God works to "rebuild the cities of Judah" through the power of his Spirit in us he wants to lift our minds up from the temporary manifestations of his kingdom to the permanent.

Nevertheless, do not rejoice because the spirits are subject to you,
but rejoice because your names are written in heaven.”

There is always the risk of failure and collapse in this world.  We are never so strong that we can't stumble and fall.  But the LORD is leading us to a place where happiness cannot be sabotaged and where peace lasts forever.

For he who has brought disaster upon you 
will, in saving you, bring you back enduring joy.”

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