Strengthen Feeble Arms and Weak Knees
Greetings in the Lord!
For the past three weeks I have been fasting a Daniel's fast because the Lord put it on my heart to participate with a ministry that issued the fast for our country. On this, the last day of the fast, the Lord led me to read Isaiah 22. It is a word about some of the major things happening in our country from a political perspective. It also sheds light on the things we as Christians should be doing in our lives to do our part to strengthen this country.
"...What troubles you now, that you have all gone up on the roofs, O town full of commotion, O city of tumult and revelry...All your leaders have fled together;...All you who were caught were taken prisoner together, having fled while the enemy was still far away. Therefore I said, "Turn away from me; let me weep bitterly. Do not try to console me over the destruction of my people." The Lord, the Lord Almighty, has a day of tumult and trampling and terror in the Valley of Vision..."
"Elam takes up the quiver, with her charioteers and horses;...Your choicest valleys are full of chariots, and horsemen are posted at the city gates; the defenses of Judah are stripped away. And you looked in that day to the weapons...you saw that the City of David had many breaches in its defenses; you stored up water in the Lower Pool. You counted the buildings...and tore down houses to strengthen the wall. You built a reservoir between the two walls...but you did not look to the One who made it, or have regard for the One who planned it long ago."
"The Lord, the Lord Almighty, called you on that day to weep and to wail,...and put on sackcloth. But see, there is joy and revelry,...eating of meat and drinking of wine! 'Let us eat and drink,' you say, 'for tomorrow we die!'"
~This entire passage highlights some issues that we need to be aware of: 1) many American people are trying to live as "business as usual" without examining their ways in regard to God; 2) leadership and people alike are instead examining ways to "reinforce the walls" and build up supplies--thus turning to their own strength, and not turning to the One who protects and provides 3) people are throwing caution into the wind, enjoying today while anticipating little hope for the future, and 4) leadership is selfishly busy trying to strengthen their own position and honor.
Why are these things important to know? Because history repeats itself. Our country is getting prime for the taking by enemies of God because of these issues. For example, both Russia and Germany were easily overtaken when deceptive and godless leadership swooned a desperate and hopeless populace. But we are more than conquerors in Christ Jesus! We have hope, because God has acknowledged us as sons and peace because we have Christ in us. Our God is our Provider and Protector, our high tower and refuge. Even though we are going through seasons of discipline, count yourself as blessed--God is treating you as sons. You say, 'discipline? Yes--"Endure hardship as discipline." "...God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in His holiness" "Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. 'Make level paths for your feet,' so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed." (Hebrews 12:7,10,12-13).
So, what are we to do? The Lord is calling us to live even more uprightly and boldly, and to rejoice in Him these days to help those who may be backsliding, wavering in their faith, or lost in hopelessness or rebellion. In the midst of troubling times our high call is to humble ourselves and praise the Lord for His goodness and sure deliverance, thus strengthening our nation one person at a time in Christ Jesus.
~Be blessed and be a blessing.
For the past three weeks I have been fasting a Daniel's fast because the Lord put it on my heart to participate with a ministry that issued the fast for our country. On this, the last day of the fast, the Lord led me to read Isaiah 22. It is a word about some of the major things happening in our country from a political perspective. It also sheds light on the things we as Christians should be doing in our lives to do our part to strengthen this country.
"...What troubles you now, that you have all gone up on the roofs, O town full of commotion, O city of tumult and revelry...All your leaders have fled together;...All you who were caught were taken prisoner together, having fled while the enemy was still far away. Therefore I said, "Turn away from me; let me weep bitterly. Do not try to console me over the destruction of my people." The Lord, the Lord Almighty, has a day of tumult and trampling and terror in the Valley of Vision..."
"Elam takes up the quiver, with her charioteers and horses;...Your choicest valleys are full of chariots, and horsemen are posted at the city gates; the defenses of Judah are stripped away. And you looked in that day to the weapons...you saw that the City of David had many breaches in its defenses; you stored up water in the Lower Pool. You counted the buildings...and tore down houses to strengthen the wall. You built a reservoir between the two walls...but you did not look to the One who made it, or have regard for the One who planned it long ago."
"The Lord, the Lord Almighty, called you on that day to weep and to wail,...and put on sackcloth. But see, there is joy and revelry,...eating of meat and drinking of wine! 'Let us eat and drink,' you say, 'for tomorrow we die!'"
~This entire passage highlights some issues that we need to be aware of: 1) many American people are trying to live as "business as usual" without examining their ways in regard to God; 2) leadership and people alike are instead examining ways to "reinforce the walls" and build up supplies--thus turning to their own strength, and not turning to the One who protects and provides 3) people are throwing caution into the wind, enjoying today while anticipating little hope for the future, and 4) leadership is selfishly busy trying to strengthen their own position and honor.
Why are these things important to know? Because history repeats itself. Our country is getting prime for the taking by enemies of God because of these issues. For example, both Russia and Germany were easily overtaken when deceptive and godless leadership swooned a desperate and hopeless populace. But we are more than conquerors in Christ Jesus! We have hope, because God has acknowledged us as sons and peace because we have Christ in us. Our God is our Provider and Protector, our high tower and refuge. Even though we are going through seasons of discipline, count yourself as blessed--God is treating you as sons. You say, 'discipline? Yes--"Endure hardship as discipline." "...God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in His holiness" "Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. 'Make level paths for your feet,' so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed." (Hebrews 12:7,10,12-13).
So, what are we to do? The Lord is calling us to live even more uprightly and boldly, and to rejoice in Him these days to help those who may be backsliding, wavering in their faith, or lost in hopelessness or rebellion. In the midst of troubling times our high call is to humble ourselves and praise the Lord for His goodness and sure deliverance, thus strengthening our nation one person at a time in Christ Jesus.
~Be blessed and be a blessing.
Comments