Shalom,


Psalm 117 begins and ends with "Praise the LORD". These are two different words for praise. One is the Hebrew word "halal" and the other is the Hebrew word, "shabach". One means to speak of how great He is TO Him and the other is to speak the same ABOUT Him! They both mean to brag or boast about! Here is the entire Psalm 117:


1 O PRAISE the LORD, all you nations! Praise Him, all you people! 2 For His mercy and loving-kindness are great toward us, and the truth and faithfulness of the LORD endure forever. Praise the LORD! (Hallelujah!)


This psalm speaks of the nations and the people. This refers to the non-Jewish world. I found this interesting piece in the Bible Exposition Commentary:



 The Jewish people were supposed to be separated from the Gentiles but not isolated from them, for God called Abraham to found a nation that would bring blessing to all the earth (Gen 12:1-3; Rom 4:17-18; Gal 3:8). However, Israel failed and became guilty of imitating the Gentiles instead of illuminating the Gentiles with the light of God's truth (Isa 42:6; 49:6). "Salvation is of the Jews" (John 4:22; Luke 2:32), for God chose the Jewish people to give the world the knowledge of the true God, the Scriptures, and the Savior.

Salvation is OF the Jews means that it originates FROM God THROUGH this chosen people and TO the world. It is not just for the Jews, but for all mankind who will receive! Can you think of any reason that any person would reject the One, True, Most High, Living, Almighty God of the Bible if He is presented in a Truthful and accurate way? Me either! So let's not be distracted by anything or anyone and let's make HIS command OUR focus! 

1 John 1:1-2:

1 [WE ARE writing] about the Word of Life [in] Him Who existed from the beginning, Whom we have heard, Whom we have seen with our [own] eyes, Whom we have gazed upon [for ourselves] and have touched with our [own] hands. 2 And the Life [an aspect of His being] was revealed (made manifest, demonstrated), and we saw [as eyewitnesses] and are testifying to and declare to you the Life, the eternal Life [in Him] Who already existed with the Father and Who [actually] was made visible (was revealed) to us [His followers].

Those two verses right there say it all! These apostles were eyewitnesses! They saw it ALL! There could be no others on earth more qualified to declare the Truth of His Life than these who walked with Jesus daily!  Verse 3-4:

3 What we have seen and [ourselves] heard, we are also telling you, so that you too may realize and enjoy fellowship as partners and partakers with us. And [this] fellowship that we have [which is a distinguishing mark of Christians] is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ (the Messiah). 4 And we are now writing these things to you so that our joy [in seeing you included] may be full [and your joy may be complete].

The message is for the whole world! We found the Light and you can , too! AMEN! Share the Light!

In 2 Kings 24-25 we witness the conquering of the nation and destruction of the temple. The British political leader, Richard Cobden, once said, "Every great nation fell by suicide." This is true of Israel at this time and will be true of the USA eventually! No nation has ever conquered a Godly people who choose to do things God's way! When the people turn away from God to serve their own selfish needs and do things their own way, then they take themselves out of His protection, provision and safety!  God Himself continually warned the people what was coming by sending them prophets to declare His Word to them. They scorned, beat, imprisoned and killed the ones God sent! Eventually they came to the end of God's patience with them and He had to send them into captivity in order to preserve the godly ones! 2 Kings 24:20a:

20a For because of the anger of the LORD it came to the point in Jerusalem and Judah that He cast them out of His presence.

I really believe that if we, as believers, in our nation will be obedient to 2 Chronicles 7:14: 

14 If My people, who are called by My Name, shall humble themselves, pray, seek, crave, and require of necessity My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from Heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.

...then He WILL do His part. There is no doubt in studying the Word that the USA has no important role in the end times. I believe that when the Church of Jesus Christ is taken in the Rapture, there will be so many people missing in this country that it will fall in a day! BUT, until then, I believe God WILL answer our prayers for our nation and will hold off the judgement! I say, "Come quickly LORD Jesus!" AMEN!

Shalom in Him!