Saturday, June 4, 2016

We Need A Miracle

Maybe you've seen them - visual representations of our lives in the world around us. Examples in nature or in our surroundings that teach us things. They might show us the correct decisions to make or they might teach us something about ourselves. Here's an example of what I'm trying to get at.

You're driving down the road. Some people are going the same direction as you. Others are going in the opposite direction. As long as everybody stays in their lane the world is fine. But when someone crosses the center-line into YOUR lane, there's bound to be trouble. This is a perfect example of conflict in our world views.

The political right has certain opinions about what is right and what is wrong. So does the political left. One side's views often contradicts the view of those on the other side. When the two get together there is often disagreement and conflict. It seems as if we need a miracle for anything to get done in Washington D.C.

But conflict can arise even amongst those with similar goals in mind. A lamb walks through a field of grass. It's sole desire is to eat. A lion watches from the under brush. It desires the same thing - to eat. They both have the same goal in mind, the same desire. But conflict soon arises when one desires to eat the other. The lamb needs a miracle in its life. And so do we.

You and I walk through this world we live in. Each of us has our beliefs. What happens when we encounter someone with differing beliefs? There is disagreement at best, conflict - more likely. Have you been disagreed with because of your beliefs? Did you feel defensive? Did your view of the other person change?

ISIS chops off the heads of those it encounters who don't believe as they do. What do we Christians do? We pray. Prayer contains more power than we're ever know.

When King Hezekiah and the Jewish people were surrounded by the Assyrians, the king prayed a prayer. Surrounded by a mighty army, they had no chance. They needed a miracle. God heard and answered Hezekiah's prayer through the prophet Isaiah.

32 “Therefore thus says the Lord concerning the king of Assyria: He shall not come into this city or shoot an arrow there, or come before it with a shield or cast up a siege mound against it. 33 By the way that he came, by the same he shall return, and he shall not come into this city, declares the Lord. 34 For I will defend this city to save it, for my own sake and for the sake of my servant David.”

35 And that night the angel of the Lord went out and struck down 185,000 in the camp of the Assyrians. And when people arose early in the morning, behold, these were all dead bodies. 36 Then Sennacherib king of Assyria departed and went home and lived at Nineveh. 37 And as he was worshiping in the house of Nisroch his god, Adrammelech and Sharezer, his sons, struck him down with the sword and escaped into the land of Ararat. And Esarhaddon his son reigned in his place."
- 2 Kings 19:32-37

When faced with a trial that seems too large to bear, I have heard many people say, "Well, I guess all we can do is pray." My friends, prayer is the FIRST and BEST thing we can possibly do!

This country needs a miracle if it is ever to turn itself around and get right with The Lord. Just like King Hezekiah, we need to pray, our leaders need to pray. This country has turned its back on God and on Israel. History has recorded what happens to people and nations who do that. Let us pray to the Lord for mercy and help.

God's Word is "Sharper than any two-edged sword" (Hebrews 4:12) and our God is mightier and stronger than ANY other would be god. Let us pray to the Lord.

"God is our refuge and strength,
    a very present[b] help in trouble.
2
Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,
    though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,
3
though its waters roar and foam,
    though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah

4
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
    the holy habitation of the Most High.
5
God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved;
    God will help her when morning dawns.
6
The nations rage, the kingdoms totter;
    he utters his voice, the earth melts.
7
The Lord of hosts is with us;
    the God of Jacob is our fortress."
- Psalm 46:1-7

The Lord God A;mighty reigns!!

Shout To The Lord - Darlene Zschech (plus Agnes Dei) with Michael W. Smith

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