Shalom,


In Psalm 140 David is calling out to God to deliver him from the evil people that keep pursing him to do him harm. Verse 8 says this:


8 Grant not, O LORD, the desires of the wicked; further not their wicked plot and device, lest they exalt themselves. Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!


We pray a prayer similar to that. We pray "May Godly plans succeed and prosper and may ungodly plans fail and come to utter destruction!" Once we pray that, then we can cast the care of it all on HIM and declare verse 13:


13 Surely the [uncompromisingly] righteous shall give thanks to Your Name; the upright shall dwell in Your presence (before Your very face).


I love John 17! This prayer that Jesus prayed is so very powerful. Do YOU believe that Jesus always had His prayers answered? I DO! WE were included in this prayer and it is still in the process of being  fulfilled in our lives! I found this from the Bible Exposition Commentary very interesting:



THE PRAYER OF THE OVERCOMER


Most scholars who have sought to harmonize the accounts in the four Gospels have the Lord Jesus praying the prayer of John 17 in the Upper Room after He had finished His instructions to the disciples. Then He and the disciples sang the traditional Passover psalms, left the Upper Room, and headed for the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus had been accustomed to meet with them and pray (see Matt 26:30-46 and Mark 14:26-42).


Whether He prayed it in the Upper Room or en route to the Garden, this much is sure: it is the greatest prayer ever prayed on earth and the greatest prayer recorded anywhere in Scripture. John 17 is certainly the "holy of holies" of the Gospel record, and we must approach this chapter in a spirit of humility and worship. To think that we are privileged to listen in as God the Son converses with His Father just as He is about to give His life as a ransom for sinners!


No matter what events occurred later that evening, this prayer makes it clear that Jesus was and is the Overcomer. He was not a "victim"; He was and is the Victor! "Be of good cheer," He had encouraged His disciples; "I have overcome the world" (John 16:33). The word world is used nineteen times in this prayer, so it is easy to see the connection between the prayer and John 16:33. If you and I will understand and apply the truths revealed in this profound prayer, it will enable us to be overcomers too.

My favorite verse here is verse 17:

17 Sanctify them [purify, consecrate, separate them for Yourself, make them holy] by the Truth; Your Word is Truth.

No matter what the situation, problem or question, the Word of God is ALWAYS the Truth and the3 Final Authority! Anything that does NOT fall in line with the Word of God is nothing but a lie! It may be a pretty sounding lie, a logical sounding lie, a world accepted lie; but it is still and only a LIE! Know what the Word of God has to say about every situation you are facing and you will be able to overcome every time! THAT is how your Father God desires for you to live this life. Hallelujah! Here is an older song from Hillsong called "I Will Run To You":

Ezekiel 48 continues speaking of the millennial reign of Jesus and Ezekiel 29-30 speaks of the judgment of Egypt for coming against Israel. Egypt has never risen to the height it once had as a nation, and right now things are not going very well for them! It does NOT bode well for ANY nation that comes against God's people Israel! Pray that our nation will continue to support Israel! Amen!

Shalom in Him!