2 Samuel 8:2 David also conquered the land of Moab. He made the people lie down on the ground in a row, and he measured them off in groups with a length of rope. He measured off two groups to be executed for every one group to be spared. The Moabites who were spared became David’s subjects and paid him tribute money.
I got the mental picture of those people laying on the ground and being measured off, after a while figuring out that possibly they were in the group that was going to be executed. And then I thought of Al-Qaeda - I'm not a Biblical scholar, but I think this is their history. To mercilessly kill the 'infidel'. God commanded David to wipe out the nations in order to occupy their land. Pretty depressing thought actually to think the craziness will never stop until "The Prince of Peace" sets up His kingdom.
So, I guess knowing there will always be war and death, the only redeeming thought is to be able to place yourself in the Hands of the One who has it all under control and knows how it will all play out:
Psalm 75
1 We thank you, O God!We give thanks because you are near.
People everywhere tell of your wonderful deeds.
2 God says, “At the time I have planned,
I will bring justice against the wicked.
3 When the earth quakes and its people live in turmoil,
I am the one who keeps its foundations firm.
I told the wicked, ‘Don’t raise your fists!
5 Don’t raise your fists in defiance at the heavens
or speak with such arrogance.’”
6 For no one on earth—from east or west,
or even from the wilderness—
should raise a defiant fist.
7 It is God alone who judges;
he decides who will rise and who will fall.
We again see that the sacrifices God wants are thankful hearts. All the sacrifices of time and money we may make, mean nothing without a thankful heart and a life of obedience behind it...
Psalm 50
7 “O my people, listen as I speak.
Here are my charges against you, O Israel:
I am God, your God!
8 I have no complaint about your sacrifices
or the burnt offerings you constantly offer.
9 But I do not need the bulls from your barns
or the goats from your pens.
10 For all the animals of the forest are mine,
and I own the cattle on a thousand hills.
11 I know every bird on the mountains,
and all the animals of the field are mine.
12 If I were hungry, I would not tell you,
for all the world is mine and everything in it.
13 Do I eat the meat of bulls?
Do I drink the blood of goats?
14 Make thankfulness your sacrifice to God,
and keep the vows you made to the Most High.
15 Then call on me when you are in trouble,
and I will rescue you,
and you will give me glory.”
16 But God says to the wicked:
“Why bother reciting my decrees
and pretending to obey my covenant?
17 For you refuse my discipline
and treat my words like trash.
22 Repent, all of you who forget me,
or I will tear you apart,
and no one will help you.
23 But giving thanks is a sacrifice that truly honors me.
If you keep to my path,
I will reveal to you the salvation of God.”
Psalm 53
1 Only fools say in their hearts,“There is no God.”
They are corrupt, and their actions are evil;
not one of them does good!
2 God looks down from heaven
on the entire human race;
he looks to see if anyone is truly wise,
if anyone seeks God.
3 But no, all have turned away;
all have become corrupt.
No one does good,
not a single one!
4 Will those who do evil never learn?
They eat up my people like bread
and wouldn’t think of praying to God.
God's word is true. There is no one who does good. The sinful nature we were born with continually 'wars against' the Spirit of God within us once we are 'born again'. God alone is good, and it is only as we submit and surrender to Him that He can be 'good through us'. That's the life of faith He has called us to. Not trying to do live it on our own, but continually praying to God and being thankful we are now "in Him".
Its a sad thought,
ReplyDeleteOur world hates God,
We say 'There is no God'
What fools!!
Do they not know what they say,
Without God there is no hope,
No love, no peace,
How can a world be so ignorant‽