April 30, 2007
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God’s Protection of His People (Israel)
Isaiah 31:4, 5, 9c says, “For thus says the LORD to me, ‘as the lion or the young lion growls over his prey, against which a band of shepherds is called out, and he will not be terrified at their voice nor disturbed at their noise, so will the LORD of hosts come down to wage war on Mount Zion and on its hill.’ Like flying birds so the LORD of hosts will protect Jerusalem. He will protect and deliver it; He will pass over and rescue it…. Declares the LORD, whose fire is in Zion and whose furnace is in Jerusalem.” (NASB)
This passage seems to indicate that God has a deep, deep passion for His people Israel. It appears that this love and passion has not stopped even today. Israel is the apple in God’s eye and He will do anything within His character to protect and deliver His people. Even though much of Israel is blinded to this, God is still gracious and wonderful to His people. One thing that is so amazing is that much of Israel thinks that God protects them because of how great they are; how wrong can they be. This thought is so far from the truth that we must help them by praying and speaking the truth to them in sensitivity and love; if you know any Jews please pray for them. Psalm 122:6 says, “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.” I think that this means both physical and spiritual peace. We need to pray that their eyes are opened to the truth of God’s love and grace for them. Open their eyes to the greatness of our God; our lives, and words need to demonstrate this truth. II Corinthians 4:7 says, “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves;” (NASB). Pray for the people of Israel, witness to them if you come across any and use sensitivity and patience when you do witness. Be a friend to the people of Israel so that they may see the light of the gospel being lived out in you. God Bless!
Comments (2)
What a beautiful flower. Thanks for stopping by.
“… much of Israel thinks that God protects them because of how great they are … ”
I have to take issue with you here on how arrogant you imply “the Jews are”. Are you aware how racist that statement sounds? If any nation on earth thinks that they are the chosen ones of God, it seems to be the Americans.
I have never read of a Jew or met a Jew, religious or secular, who thinks God protects them because they are so great, rather the opposite. The religious ones acclaim that God constantly punishes them because of their constantly turning away from His commandments. They rejoice that God is still with them, seen in the fact that He bothers to punish them. The secular ones merely mention the Holocaust and ask whether that entails God’s protection.