Only One Nation, 2

~ On This 66th Anniversary of the Modern State of Israel ~

This post is about a few major events regarding the survival of the tiny nation of Israel.  It is sequenced in reverse chronological order.

Today’s Troubled Middle East  ~  Almost everyone alive today is well aware of the seemingly perilous position the tiny nation of Israel finds itself.  It is surrounded by much larger and seemingly more powerful nations such as Iraq, which is developing nuclear weapons at an alarming pace and has an avowed objective of wiping Israel off the map.  Meanwhile Israel’s historically most powerful ally—the United States—has been reducing its military capability and sending multiple signals that its historically strong support for Israel could by lessening. 

The Six-Day War  ~  During June 5-10, 1967, the Six-Day War occurred between tiny Israel and surrounding larger Arab nations (Egypt—then UAR, Jordan, and Syria).  Wikipedia summarizes it this way, “Within six days, Israel had won a decisive land war. Israeli forces had taken control of the Gaza Strip and the Sinai Peninsula from Egypt, the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, from Jordan, and the Golan Heights from Syria.”

The Re-establishment of Israel  ~  The nation of Israel was officially re-established in their homeland—fulfilling Biblical prophecy—on May 14, 1948.  As a result, the Arab-Israeli War erupted and the tiny nation of Israel defeated a military coalition of surrounding Arab nations. 

The Historical Record  ~  “In all history, going back to the time when God created man upon the earth, search from one end of the heavens to the other to see if you can find anything like this: an entire nation heard the voice of God speaking to it from fire, as you did, and lived!  Where else will you ever find another example of God’s removing a nation from its slavery by sending terrible plagues, mighty miracles, war, and terror?  Yet that is what the Lord your God did for you in Egypt, right before your very eyes.  He did these things so you would realize that Jehovah is God, and that there is no one else like him.  He let you hear His voice instructing you from heaven, and He let you see His great pillar of fire upon the earth; you even heard His words from the center of the fire.  It was because He loved your ancestors and chose to bless their descendants that He personally brought you out from Egypt with a great display of power.  He drove away other nations greater by far than you and gave you their land as an inheritance, as it is today.  This is your wonderful thought for the day: Jehovah is God both in heaven and down here upon the earth; and there is no God other than Him!  You must obey these laws that I will tell you today, so that all will be well with you and your children, and so that you will live forever in the land the Lord your God is giving you” (Deuteronomy 4:32-40, TLB).

“For you are a holy people, dedicated to the Lord your God.  He has chosen you from all the people on the face of the whole earth to be His own chosen ones.  He didn’t choose you and pour out His love upon you because you were a larger nation than any other, for you were the smallest of all!  It was just because He loves you, and because He kept His promise to your ancestors.  That is why He brought you out of slavery in Egypt with such amazing power and mighty miracles” (Deuteronomy 7:6-8, TLB).

Important Note  ~  The fact that God has a chosen nation does not give them an advantage regarding salvation.  Israelites are individually responsible for coming to God by faith in the shed blood of The Messiah just as Gentiles are (i.e., Hebrews 11).

A related Abundant Life Post, “Only One Nation,” was posted on April 11, 2013. 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

If you found this post personally interesting or helpful, you are welcome to add a link to it on your own blog or website. 

If you would prefer to copy this post, please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight (http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/).

Spiritual Water

~ Have You Checked Your Water Lately? ~

Water Entering In  ~  “Jesus answered, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God’” (John 3:5). Jesus the Messiah was explaining to Nicodemus the process of new birth.

Water Springing Up  ~  There is a key lesson from the account of a Samaritan woman meeting the Messiah at a well. “Jesus answered and said to her, ‘Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life’” (John 4:13-14). The natural outcome of this water springing up is worship. 

Water Flowing Along  ~  “On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, ‘If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’ But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified” (John 7:37-39). Jesus is interacting with the religious leaders of His day.  The concept of “rivers of living water” is about the role of the Holy Spirit and this passage relates to our service for Him.   

A Watered Garden  ~  “The Lord will guide you continually, and satisfy your soul in drought, and strengthen your bones; you shall be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail” (Isaiah 58:11). A watered garden brings to mind the concept of maturity. 

concluding thought:  A key characteristic of physical water is that it seeks its own level. Left to our own devices we continue to sin because of our sin nature. When we follow the steps listed above, we rise from our old natural level to our new spiritual level. The new birth is just that—we are new creatures (not fixed old creatures). “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17). As we worship and serve Him through the power of the Spirit of God, we mature towards Christ-likeness. “But we all [Christians], with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image [the image of the glory of Christ] from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord” (2 Corinthians 3:18). 

A second key characteristic of water is its value in cleaning. Of course we know that it is the blood of the slain Christ which has the power of washing away sin—however water is also seen as a cleansing agent. “Jesus answered him [Peter], ‘If I do not wash you [speaking of physical water], you have no part with Me’” (John 13:8b). The Psalmist prayed, “Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin” (Psalm 51:2). One of the symbolisms of the waters of baptism is that of washing, “And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord” (Acts 22:16).

How’s your spiritual water level? Has it entered in? Is it springing up? Is it flowing along? Are you a well-watered garden?

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

If you found this post personally interesting or helpful, you are welcome to add a link to it on your own blog or website. 

If you would prefer to copy this post, please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight (http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/).

Christ Rules Nature

~ “Even The Wind and The Waves Obey Him” ~

Principle From Scripture  ~  “O Lord God of hosts, Who is mighty like You, O Lord?  Your faithfulness also surrounds You.  You rule the raging of the sea; when its waves rise, You still them” (Psalm 89:8-9).  “But My faithfulness and My mercy shall be with Him, and in My name his horn shall be exalted.  Also I will set his hand over the sea, and his right hand over the rivers” (Psalm 89:24-25).  “Those who go down to the sea in ships, who do business on great waters, they see the works of the Lord, and His wonders in the deep.  For He commands and raises the stormy wind, which lifts up the waves of the sea” (Psalm 107:23-25). 

Example 1  ~  “Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away.  And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray.  Now when evening came, He was alone there.  But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary.  Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea.  And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, ‘It is a ghost!’  And they cried out for fear.

“But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘Be of good cheer!  It is I; do not be afraid.’  And Peter answered Him and said, ‘Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.’  So He said, ‘Come.’  And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus.  But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, ‘Lord, save me!’

“And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, ‘O you of little faith, why did you doubt?’  And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.  Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, ‘Truly You are the Son of God’” (Matthew 14:22-33, parallel passages are Mark 6:45-52 and John 6:15-21).

Thoughts  ~  (1) Jesus is aware of our struggles in this life.  At times it may seem He is unaware, but He always knows our situation!  (2) Sometimes He sends us into situations where He knows we will face difficult times—but it is always for our good.  In our future heavenly home we will understand His purposes with regard to our life on earth.  (3) If we keep strong faith, He will perform miracles through us. 

Example 2  ~  “When evening had come, He said to them, ‘Let us cross over to the other side.’  Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was.  And other little boats were also with Him.  And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling.  But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow.  And they awoke Him and said to Him, ‘Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?’

“Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, ‘Peace, be still!’  And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.  But He said to them, ‘Why are you so fearful?  How is it that you have no faith?’  And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, ‘Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!’”(Mark 4:35-41, parallel passages are Matthew 8:23-27 and Luke 8:22-25). 

Thoughts  ~  (1) While our Savior was asleep in the boat He was fully aware of their struggles.  He came to them in their hour of need.  In the process they learned more fully how trustworthy He is.  We can be assured that He will not allow us to pass through waters more turbulent than we can endure and if we trust Him we will emerge stronger because of the experience.  “Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him” (James 1:12).  (2) Scripture assures us that if we live the life the way our Lord desires that we live, we will see difficult times—but we can remain calm.  Jesus said, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace.  In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).  “You will keep him in perfect peace [regardless of circumstances], whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You” (Isaiah 26:3). 

the key question: “Who do you say that I am?” (Matthew 16:15). This is the most important question you will ever answer. If you do not answer it, or answer it incorrectly, you have made the biggest mistake anyone can make!

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

If you found this post personally interesting or helpful, you are welcome to add a link to it on your own blog or website. 

If you would prefer to copy this post, please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight (http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/).

Messiah, 151

~ Messiah Would Be Righteous ~

“Search the Scriptures—they testify of Me.”

— Jesus Christ (John 5:39)

The Scripture

Regarding the Messiah we read, “Righteousness shall be the belt of His loins” (Isaiah 11:5a). 

The Messiah  

“Now it was about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour.  Then the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was torn in two.  And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, ‘Father, “into Your hands I commit My spirit.”’  Having said this, He breathed His last.  So when the centurion saw what had happened, he glorified God, saying, ‘Certainly this was a righteous Man!’ (Luke 23:44-47). 

The Messiah said, “I can of Myself do nothing.  As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me” (John 5:30). 

~~~ EXPLANATORY “MESSIAH” NOTES ~~~   

(1)  Each Saturday ALN posts an example of a Hebrew Scriptures prophecy (or foreshadowing) related to the coming Messiah which was fulfilled in the birth, life, death, or resurrection of Jesus Christ.

(2)  While extensive it will not be a complete list—there are hundreds of prophecies of the coming Messiah which have been fulfilled by one man—Jesus Christ at His First Coming.

(3)  It is important that there are many more prophecies of the Messiah, yet unfulfilled, which Christians believe will be fulfilled at the time of His Second Coming.  A particularly relevant Scripture verse in this regard is: “Do not despise prophesies” (1 Thessalonians 5:20).

(4)  These posts will typically consist only of Scripture—which speaks for itself.  Sometimes italicized or bold font will be used by ALN for emphasis.

(5)  The numbering of these fulfilled prophecies of the Messiah is used to differentiate individual posts. It is not chronological (either by time of the prophecy or by sequence in the life of the Messiah).  The posting sequence will, for the most part, be in the order that the prophecies appear in Scripture.

(6)  Because of the chosen methodology (#5 above) we will find many specific prophecies repeated multiple times throughout the Scriptures.

(7)  These serial posts are in addition to our regular Tuesday ALN postings on random topics.

(8)  Subscription to ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog is simple—just use the link on the left sidebar.  Once subscribed you will not miss future posts.

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

If you found this post personally interesting or helpful, you are welcome to add a link to it on your own blog or website. 

If you would prefer to copy this post, please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight (http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/).