Psalm 129:1-2 says this:
1 MANY A time and much have they afflicted me from my youth up -- let Israel say -- 2 many a time and much have they afflicted me from my youth up, yet they have not prevailed against me.
The nation of Israel has experienced hatred, bitterness, envy, jealousy, cruelty, attacks, war and bloodshed since almost the very beginning of their existence as a nation! Many times it was because of their own disobedience to the One, True God and His Word. Whatever the cause, when they repented, He ALWAYS delivered them! The nations at whose hands they suffered always reaped the result of their treatment of God's people! In spite of all that has happened to the nation, and the dispersion of the people from their land, Israel was reborn in 1948! When God is FOR you, it doesn't do ANYONE any good to be against you! This is the promise to the nation of Israel: Genesis 12:2-3:
2 And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you [with abundant increase of favors] and make your name famous and distinguished, and you will be a blessing [dispensing good to others].
3 And I will bless those who bless you [who confer prosperity or happiness upon you] and curse him who curses or uses insolent language toward you; in you will all the families and kindred of the earth be blessed [and by you they will bless themselves].
AMP
Today the nation of Israel, is celebrating 63 years as a Re-born nation! Join with me in blessing Israel according to the Word of God! Father, we ask for Your protection, provision and safety, peace, prosperity and blessing for the nation of Israel and the city of Jerusalem - in the Name of Jesus of Nazareth! AMEN! Here is are some pictures from last year's Independence Day celebration in Israel, when we were there!
GLORY TO GOD for His never-ending FAITHFULNESS!!!
2 Corinthians 2:14-17 is very good in the Amplified Bible and in both the Complete Jewish Bible and the Message Bible. The Amplified:
The Complete Jewish Bible:
14 But thanks be to God, who in the Messiah constantly leads us in a triumphal procession and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of what it means to know him! 15 For to God we are the aroma of the Messiah, both among those being saved and among those being lost; 16 to the latter, we are the smell of death leading only to more death; but to the former, we are the sweet smell of life leading to more life. Who is equal to such a task? 17 For we are not like a lot of folks who go about huckstering God’s message for a fee; on the contrary, we speak out of a sincere heart, as people sent by God, standing in God’s presence, living in union with the Messiah.
CJB
The Message Bible:
14 And I got it, thank God!
In the Messiah, in Christ, God leads us from place to place in one perpetual victory parade. Through us, he brings knowledge of Christ. Everywhere we go, people breathe in the exquisite fragrance. 15 Because of Christ, we give off a sweet scent rising to God, which is recognized by those on the way of salvation — an aroma redolent with life. 16 But those on the way to destruction treat us more like the stench from a rotting corpse.
This is a terrific responsibility. Is anyone competent to take it on? 17 No — but at least we don't take God's Word, water it down, and then take it to the streets to sell it cheap. We stand in Christ's presence when we speak; God looks us in the face. We get what we say straight from God and say it as honestly as we can.
THE MESSAGE
The bottom line? Keep preaching the Word of God, in season and out of season! Preach it when they WANT to hear it, and when they DON'T want to! We smell GOOD to God and to those who want Him. We smell BAD to those who don't want to have anything to do with the One, True, Most High, Living, Almighty God of the Bible! Either way, the ANSWER is given! AMEN!
In Judges 7-8 we continue with the life, and faith, of Gideon. Gideon is referred to in chapter 7 as Jerubaal - "let baal contend", because he had destroyed the alter dedicated to baal. When the people complained, they were told to let baal stick up for himself, IF he can! He couldn't! Just another life-less idol, formed with human hands and bowed down to! Gideon had to operate in faith concerning the One, True God, and His instructions. I read this in the Bible Exposition Comentary: Old Testament concerning walking in faith:
"A man of faith needs to be
able to "see the invisible, choose the imperishable, and do the impossible."
I like that! God gave some very specific instructions to Gideon. He was patient with Gideon when his faith was weak and he needed signs from God. He worked mightily through Gideon to confirm His Word! Gideon began with 32,000 men and, after God's "reduction instructions", he ended up with 300! The bigger the battle, the bigger, and better, the victory! God got all the glory for that! Wouldn't you think that having God operate through him in such an extraordinary manner would have settled Gideon's heart to obey God's Word always? It didn't! He ended up using the gold from the spoils to have a priest's ephod made and worshiped that! It was no different than the baal in God's eyes! Remember that God is SPIRIT, and must be worshiped in Spirit and in Truth (His Word)! And ALWAYS - Give God the Glory! AMEN!
Shalom in Him!
