June 3, 2022 – Click here to listen
Today my Bible study reading begins in the last book in the Old Testament, Malachi, and when this book is finished it is on to the New Testament. I look forward to getting back into the New Testament. It is sometimes boring reading the Old Testament, but it was well worth struggling through those parts because many valuable lessons were learned on this latest journey. I have read the Bible completely through too many times to remember and each time I read it I discover more valuable insight.
The people in the United States remind me so much of the people of Israel. Next to Israel no other country has been so richly blessed by God as the US. I believe this in large part occurred because our founders, many of whom were pastors, loved Him so much and initially founded our country with an acknowledgment that God is Supreme. Additionally, we are the only country in the world that has stood by Israel through thick and thin, at least until recently.
The US is strikingly similar to Israel. When the people of this country began to prosper and our nation became the envy of the world, rather than drawing closer to God in gracious gratitude and humble acknowledgment that God was behind the success, this nation turned its back on Him and thumbed its nose at Him. It is now sinking into a disgusting state of apostasy embracing homosexuality, slaughter of the unborn via abortion, violence, corruption, lawless, uncaring for the poor, and self-worship, and so on.
In Israel, this same condition was reached on several occasions. God would judge and severely punish them, and they would repent for a little while only to return to their sin. Today Israel has transitioned into full-blown apostasy and it has again led them to their current state. Time and again they would repent, and God would forgive them only to have them return to their sin.
Today they have rejected Jesus as the Messiah and are reviled as a nation practically worldwide. They are surrounded by enemies and face threats to their very existence daily. As with Israel, we too have begun to reap the consequences of the corruption of sin and arrogance that has overtaken our nation. God has found the good old USA to be not so good and in fact “wanting”, and now we have joined Israel and entered the consequence phase (God’s judgment).
I enjoy reading the New Testament because it is about a new beginning, a time where Jesus takes the lead in our lives and steers us to safe harbors and joyful times filled with love. It begins with Him taking our punishment for our sins and offering salvation to the world through Him. To those of us sinners who have leapt at the opportunity to have our sins forgiven, this is awesome news and offers hope where there was none. Unfortunately, there are those who insist on making it through life on their own and they muddle along in their sin and though they may appear to prosper, it is shallow, miserable, and unfulfilling.
Johnny Depp and Amber Heard and their highly publicized unfortunate divorce and ugly trial gives us a peek at the desperation of two people whom most would think have it made. The depraved state in which these so-called “beautiful people” now find themselves is heart-breaking. They are wallowing in sadness from knowing that drugs and alcohol and money and fame does not offer peace nor heal broken lives and to their way of thinking it is impossible to achieve it any other way. The same with the recent school shooter and his convoluted family most of which have been in jail themselves. That kid had lost all hope, he was angry and wanted to die and take as many with him as he could. How I pray for people caught in Satan’s snares to escape and come to Jesus.
There is hope for a remnant to cross the raging river of sin and it’s not even dangerous because we simply walk across the bridge that leads towards life. This bridge was built by Jesus Christ and the mightiest flood of biblical proportions cannot wash it away. It leads to peace, prosperity, joy, love, compassion, and the splendor of almighty God’s light shining on all who cross. The nastiest evil conceived by Satan, the Destroyer rages like a demonic river below but there is no fear for those of us who are protected by Jesus and have had our sins washed away and cleansed through His blood. None! We just sing and dance our way across the bridge to paradise.
Psalm 23:1
A Psalm of David. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows . . .
Have a great weekend and go to church this Sunday!