Things I Think…
1. Writing has become a chore when it used to be a joy.
The amount of contempt filled misinformation from all manner of people leaves those who strive to be both biblical and rational with little to say that anyone wants hear.
Despite all the terror in the world around us, this is still our biggest problem, in my estimation…
““But I have this complaint against you. You don’t love me or each other as you did at first!
Look how far you have fallen! Turn back to me and do the works you did at first. If you don’t repent, I will come and remove your lampstand from its place among the churches.”
(Revelation 2:4-5 NLT-SE)
2. Even with the desire to be both biblical and rational in my thinking, there will be times when I’m wrong about the conclusions I come to…I do not fear or avoid this reality…I invite it as I’ll be wiser for the correction…
3. We have to be aware that the conflict between Israel and Hamas could end up involving other actors and increasing hostilities…we also should be aware that unless we choose to end the hostilities we have with each other in this country, war may come to our own neighborhoods…
4. “Then he said, “Don’t be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day you began to pray for understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your request has been heard in heaven. I have come in answer to your prayer. But for twenty-one days the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia blocked my way. Then Michael, one of the archangels, came to help me, and I left him there with the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia. Now I am here to explain what will happen to your people in the future, for this vision concerns a time yet to come.””
(Daniel 10:12-14 NLT-SE)
“He replied, “Do you know why I have come? Soon I must return to fight against the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia, and after that the spirit prince of the kingdom of Greece will come. Meanwhile, I will tell you what is written in the Book of Truth. (No one helps me against these spirit princes except Michael, your spirit prince.”
(Daniel 10:20-21 NLT-SE)
“A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.”
(Ephesians 6:10-12 NLT-SE)
Paul’s statement is straightforward and simple…the enemy in front of us is not the real enemy…it is the power behind the enemy in front of us that demands our attention.
This takes (or should take) all the fun out of our hatred for our enemies. as we focus on the unseen powers as commanded.
Christians fight on their knees, not on the internet…
5. I’m trying to get an appointment to get a flu shot and I will wear a mask into the pharmacy when I do so. If either or both of these facts cause you to feel anger , keep it to yourself…I’m not as holy as I should be…
6. The violent death of an innocent Palestinian child is as grievous to me as the innocent death of an Israeli child….undisciplined attempts to destroy terrorists will always create future terrorists…
7. Support of any terrorist group is actually Satan worship…because when murder becomes a joy, Satan has taken control of the participants…
8. In light of #4 above, it seems to me that hell rejoices when we believe prayer is fruitless…I need to think this through myself…
9. It seems to me (and I may be wrong) that while in the Garden of Gethsemane, that Jesus was at least momentarily overwhelmed by what the Father would require of Him soon thereafter… overwhelmed to the point of asking if there were any other way to accomplish the will and work of God. How much more will fallen creatures like ourselves be overwhelmed by what life throws at us? Prayer…it seems to me…is asking God if there is any other way than the one that we see…and neither the emotions, nor the questions are sinful…
10. “Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later. For all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when God will reveal who his children really are. Against its will, all creation was subjected to God’s curse. But with eager hope, the creation looks forward to the day when it will join God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay. For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. And we believers also groan, even though we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, for we long for our bodies to be released from sin and suffering. We, too, wait with eager hope for the day when God will give us our full rights as his adopted children, including the new bodies he has promised us. We were given this hope when we were saved. (If we already have something, we don’t need to hope for it. But if we look forward to something we don’t yet have, we must wait patiently and confidently.)”
(Romans 8:18-25 NLT-SE)
Groaning is natural and groaning is sublime prayer…groan loudly and often, but groan in hope of the Day when groaning will cease…
I very much agree with and appreciate #1–both for the enjoinder to love, but also that you are writing it, which fulfills your task/duty/purpose/etc. to write.
#6 = amen.
fil,
I think you and I both want to address the issues of the day in a way that brings understanding and furthers us down the path of discipleship.
The problem for me is knowing that even the most biblical applications will cause some to become angry…while slapping a political label on you that , to them, explains everything.
Writing seems pointless…even as I continue to do so.
I do not have a clue how to solve the conflict in the Middle East…but I think I know what won’t work…and I wrestle with my own flesh greatly….
#3 Last week I was scolded by a Jewish co-worker (with family in Israel) regarding my ignorance of the situation after I expressed concern about ordinary Palestinians caught up in the mess caused by Hamas. Meanwhile, my friend who was doing humanitarian work with an Israeii medical organization has disappeared. No one knows where he is. I keep checking lists on the internet, but no one is responding.
Israel is God’s chosen people. They are also fallen and sinful, just like other people. I understand wanting to clear Hamas out of Palestine, but at what expense? I remember that our actions against Iraq were supposed to rid America of its 9/11 enemies. It ended up costing us years of fighting, thousands of casualties (including one of my nephews), and more hatred for the US than existed before
Linn,
Well said…praying your friend is found safe.
Thanks, Michael!
#9, #10 – I know the truth of these personally. Groaning would have no benefit, except for some bit of release, if it weren’t combined with hope. Groaning needs hope to redeem the suffering. The church has lost the ability to properly and deeply lament.
Also, #5. I often resort to this to warn people about myself…
Alex,
I affirm your first comment…and that video is simply wondrous. Liam and I are highly amused… 🙂
Well said Michael!
And I understand about groaning; today a did it twice, my desperation was so strong that could not find word… instead sobbed and groaned… till God’s presence brought peace to my soul.
Thank you Lord!
Those that argue against Christian Zionism tend to downplay the significance of Israel becoming a nation in their historic homeland. I’m not saying I AM a Christian Zionist, but their return and what is going on almost continuously the past 80 years is not without meaning.
Before I gave up on eschatology 10 years ago, my best guess was that a Jewish antichrist, based in Jerusalem, was the most likely end times scenario. American Christians would instantly embrace him as a great leader of God’s chosen people. I’m not sure many other countries would.
But I know longer spend my time trying to figure it all out. That doesn’t mean I might not have to endure watching it all play out as an old man.
#6 I’ve listened to some podcasts about military thinking after WWI, and in all countries they became obsessed with shortening the next war by bombing the enemy into submission… and it generally didn’t work out as they hoped. Back when Absalom wanted to be king, his friend gave him smart advice to send a small force and kill just his enemy (father) and win over the people. But God sent David’s friend to give him the dumb advice to mount all-out war, and it didn’t work out as he hoped.
Elena,
Much love to you, my friend.
You have endured much in Jesus name and your reward will be great…I pray that the Lord will advance you some of that in this life…
Terry,
I am not a Christian Zionist…but I do wonder what significance to place on the formation of a Jewish state…I’m not clear on that at all.
Idahoan,
Wise words and a great analogy, I think…
#7-AMEN, AMEN and AMEN
#9-“nEVERTHELESS, NOT MY WILL, bUT tHINE BE DONE!”
There are reports that Israel just blew up the Anglican Hospital in the middle of Gaza…if true…this is a war crime.
Pakistan just threatened to nuke Israel.
Things are getting hot…
It’s obviously unconfirmed, but I’m also seeing reports that a misfired rocket malfunctioned and hit the hospital. The prayers for peace are becoming more frequent in my day…
I’ve read of an Orthodox Church in Palestine that is housing many refugees. I also read of a Catholic cardinal in Jerusalem who has offered himself up in exchange for the kidnapped. I think I know who I want to be like when I grow up….
Israel just wants to exist, and has offered peace many times but is surrounded by people who want to eradicate them.
Imagine what Israel would be doing in Gaza right now if they didn’t have the miracle Iron Dome.
DH,
I think that’s an oversimplification of the situation…Israel is not blameless.
Al Jazeera reports that it was a misfired Hamas rocket that wiped out the hospital…
“Israel is not blameless?” have to think on that observation…….
Michael, I am looking for the Al Jazeera report and can’t find it. I was under the impression that Hamas does not have the payloads to flatten a hospital with a single rocket.
Jean,
It was reported on Twitter…the rocket probably blew up a weapons state under the hospital.
I don’t fully believe anything I read at this point…even this report.
Truth is going to be impossible to discern in this war…
I would say that if Al Jazeera reports it was a Hamas rocket, that is a relatively credible report. I will just wait to see if it was a hacked report or actual Al Jazeera.
I don’t see the actual report on AJ’s Twitter feed and they are reporting live from Gaza.
A deleted Tweet shows Israel Air Force taking “credit” for the blast…there’s a propaganda war going on and technology is our enemy if we’re looking for truth…
https://twitter.com/i/status/1714377828131553446
I can’t imagine Israel purposely targeting a hospital. True about the propaganda war. Jordan and Egypt (both no friends of Palestinians) canceled the summit with President Biden over this.
My “lost” missionary friend made himself known today. He had been in and out of a bunker the last week and a half with spotty cell surface. He is trying to help with the wounded and plans to stay two more months.
The New Victor wrote:
“I can’t imagine Israel purposely targeting a hospital.”
I can, especially when Hamas uses hospitals, schools, and mosques to hide their rockets and other weaponry. I’d purposely target those places too. Outrage is a luxury item that only those who don’t have high-explosive warheads raining down on their heads can afford.
It’s a pithy quote, but:
“In war, truth is the first casualty.” – Aeschylus
I imagine many people are disappointed to find that the hospital wasn’t bombed by Israel, that 500 people weren’t killed, and that the misfired Hamas/Islamic Jihad rocket misfired.
misfired Hamas/Islamic Jihad rocket /landed in a parking lot/
Linn,
I’m glad your friend is safe…and wish he’d just come home.
Everstudy,
I doubt that anyone here finds any happiness in the deaths of other humans or the pile of propaganda we have to sift through to know truth.
Michael,
I wish he would come home, too, but he has been in the ME since the 80s and knows his way around better than most. As long as he stays in the Tel Aviv area he’ll probably be okay. I spent my 7 years in Colombia during some of the worst of the narcotraffic wars and guerrilla armies, and saw two of my colleagues kidnapped (thankfully, they were returned a couple of months later). I stayed three more years until a family emergency brought me home. God has different ways of calling people to different peoples, and if you really have that calling, you’ll go/stay/and leave when God calls home.
Terryy @9:10
AMEN