I love reading the Bible. I try to be obedient to the teachings of Jesus who is my model and guide in life. I fail. But, I continue to allow God to shape my thinking and my heart and develop Christlike character qualities. The Bible chronicles the overarching story of mankind and particularly the descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (Israel). It is fascinating because God communicated His will and what He would do in the future through Prophets. In Zechariah’s prophecy during the return of the Jews after dispersion under Babylonian occupation- God declared that there would be trouble along the Mediterranean sea. He would punish areas and peoples. I wonder if the prophecies were not just for Zechariah’s day, but for ours as well? Sadly, He predicted the places in the news today, like Gaza and Lebanon.
The word of the Lord is against the land of Hadrak
and will come to rest on Damascus—
for the eyes of all people and all the tribes of Israel
are on the Lord—[a]
2 and on Hamath too, which borders on it,
and on Tyre and Sidon, though they are very skillful.
3 Tyre has built herself a stronghold;
she has heaped up silver like dust,
and gold like the dirt of the streets.
4 But the Lord will take away her possessions
and destroy her power on the sea,
and she will be consumed by fire.
5 Ashkelon will see it and fear;
Gaza will writhe in agony,
and Ekron too, for her hope will wither.
Gaza will lose her king
and Ashkelon will be deserted.
6 A mongrel people will occupy Ashdod,
and I will put an end to the pride of the Philistines.
7 I will take the blood from their mouths,
the forbidden food from between their teeth.
Those who are left will belong to our God
and become a clan in Judah,
and Ekron will be like the Jebusites.
8 But I will encamp at my temple
to guard it against marauding forces.
Never again will an oppressor overrun my people,
for now I am keeping watch.
How should I respond to the unfolding of world events today? How can I demonstrate the love of God and share the hope found in Christ Jesus?
God, as this day begins- I am praying of course for my good friend Linda who said ‘so long’ to her husband of nearly 50 years. Be her comfort please, even as I know you will. There are others hurting as well, the Lux family, Moreno family, Edward family, Alcala family, and Sullivan family. Each in their own way grieving the loss of someone special. Oh how I long for the fulfillment of prophecy when ‘there will be no more death or tears’. Please give me the wisdom to do what You’ve called me to do today as I reach out as a pastor and lawyer to love people in Your name.
