Winds Begin to Blow in the Desert
Greetings in the Lord!
Yesterday I came across a news headline from Colorado that caught my attention for a couple of reasons. Firstly, having lived in Riyadh for two years, I like to stay current with news events related to Saudi Arabia. Secondly, this news story was peculiar, in that, most news outlets had only one sentence about it, and of the one that had more (Denver Post), it did not contain all the important facts of the story, namely, that this Saudi man was convicted of holding his house maid as a sex slave for 4 years while living in the US. Here's a link to the article: http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_24835332/judge-denies-homaidan-al-turkis-request-return-saudi?source=rss I'm not sure why many American news outlets gloss over details or omit stories altogether when it relates to Muslims. Of course, my main guess is censorship, as I've lived in several countries where there is no freedom of the press and our presses quite often resemble that. But that is another blog, I'm afraid.
Anyway, today's word comes from Psalms 12. It is a cry to God from the oppressed to be saved from the hardships they endure while living in an unjust society. You see, the Saudi man from the news article was only living how many employers treat their house help in Saudi Arabia. It is not a crime there, in fact, it is a normal way of doing business. That is why countries like the Philippines and others have had to restrict or cut off work visas for their nationals--to protect them and pressure the Saudi government to make changes in their "normal" business practices. Honestly, it's to no avail, as Saudi men do as they like in KSA with little or no consequences.
"Help Lord, for the godly are no more; the faithful have vanished from among men." Psalm 12:1
"All men lie in wait to shed blood; each hunts his brother with a net. Both hands are skilled in doing evil: the ruler demands gifts, the judge accepts bribes, the powerful dictate what they desire--they all conspire together. The best of them is like a brier, the most upright worse than a thorn hedge." Micah 7:2-4.
The passage says "brother" because it makes no difference even if you are a Muslim "brother." In Saudi Arabia, if you are not Saudi, then you are beneath the Saudi men in charge and legally you will be treated however they feel to treat you...so you roll the dice and hope for a decent employer--and there are some, to be sure.
But today's word says that things are indeed going to change. Turbulent times are on the way. We've seen the beginning already with the ousting of thousands of foreign workers there, but more trouble is on the horizon.
"The day of your watchmen has come, the day God visits you. Now is the time of your confusion." Micah 7:4 "Because of the oppression of the weak and the groaning of the needy, I will now arise," says the Lord. "I will protect them from those who malign them." Psalm 12:5
In late spring of 2013 I decreed a word of the Lord: "This will be the last summer for the king" of Saudi Arabia. On the heels of that would be great turmoil there. After a period of unrest and power struggles, an unlikely young man would eventually come to the throne and would, by the grace of God, have to defend the throne from innumerable foes. But before we get that far ahead, know that there will be big challenges coming to that nation. For just like Syria, the rampant wickedness long ingrained in the government and society will turn upon itself. The violence and hatred embraced and cultivated in Saudi culture and taught to other Muslims will turn inward, and outward. Watch out!
"Do not trust a neighbor; put no confidence in a friend. Even with her who lies in your embrace be careful of your words. For a son dishonors his father, a daughter rises up against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law----a man's enemies are the members of his own household." Micah 7:5-6.
Just like the hem of a garment or a seam of a shirt, the fabric of a society, even in the family unit itself, can and will come undone when wickedness is the thread holding it together. This is true of any and all nations that choose not to follow God's life-giving ways. But blessed is the man who clings to God and follows His paths.
~Be blessed and be a blessing.
Yesterday I came across a news headline from Colorado that caught my attention for a couple of reasons. Firstly, having lived in Riyadh for two years, I like to stay current with news events related to Saudi Arabia. Secondly, this news story was peculiar, in that, most news outlets had only one sentence about it, and of the one that had more (Denver Post), it did not contain all the important facts of the story, namely, that this Saudi man was convicted of holding his house maid as a sex slave for 4 years while living in the US. Here's a link to the article: http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_24835332/judge-denies-homaidan-al-turkis-request-return-saudi?source=rss I'm not sure why many American news outlets gloss over details or omit stories altogether when it relates to Muslims. Of course, my main guess is censorship, as I've lived in several countries where there is no freedom of the press and our presses quite often resemble that. But that is another blog, I'm afraid.
Anyway, today's word comes from Psalms 12. It is a cry to God from the oppressed to be saved from the hardships they endure while living in an unjust society. You see, the Saudi man from the news article was only living how many employers treat their house help in Saudi Arabia. It is not a crime there, in fact, it is a normal way of doing business. That is why countries like the Philippines and others have had to restrict or cut off work visas for their nationals--to protect them and pressure the Saudi government to make changes in their "normal" business practices. Honestly, it's to no avail, as Saudi men do as they like in KSA with little or no consequences.
"Help Lord, for the godly are no more; the faithful have vanished from among men." Psalm 12:1
"All men lie in wait to shed blood; each hunts his brother with a net. Both hands are skilled in doing evil: the ruler demands gifts, the judge accepts bribes, the powerful dictate what they desire--they all conspire together. The best of them is like a brier, the most upright worse than a thorn hedge." Micah 7:2-4.
The passage says "brother" because it makes no difference even if you are a Muslim "brother." In Saudi Arabia, if you are not Saudi, then you are beneath the Saudi men in charge and legally you will be treated however they feel to treat you...so you roll the dice and hope for a decent employer--and there are some, to be sure.
But today's word says that things are indeed going to change. Turbulent times are on the way. We've seen the beginning already with the ousting of thousands of foreign workers there, but more trouble is on the horizon.
"The day of your watchmen has come, the day God visits you. Now is the time of your confusion." Micah 7:4 "Because of the oppression of the weak and the groaning of the needy, I will now arise," says the Lord. "I will protect them from those who malign them." Psalm 12:5
In late spring of 2013 I decreed a word of the Lord: "This will be the last summer for the king" of Saudi Arabia. On the heels of that would be great turmoil there. After a period of unrest and power struggles, an unlikely young man would eventually come to the throne and would, by the grace of God, have to defend the throne from innumerable foes. But before we get that far ahead, know that there will be big challenges coming to that nation. For just like Syria, the rampant wickedness long ingrained in the government and society will turn upon itself. The violence and hatred embraced and cultivated in Saudi culture and taught to other Muslims will turn inward, and outward. Watch out!
"Do not trust a neighbor; put no confidence in a friend. Even with her who lies in your embrace be careful of your words. For a son dishonors his father, a daughter rises up against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law----a man's enemies are the members of his own household." Micah 7:5-6.
Just like the hem of a garment or a seam of a shirt, the fabric of a society, even in the family unit itself, can and will come undone when wickedness is the thread holding it together. This is true of any and all nations that choose not to follow God's life-giving ways. But blessed is the man who clings to God and follows His paths.
~Be blessed and be a blessing.
Comments