It Still Figures

This quote appeared in Lamp in a Corner, in a post titled “It Figures,” on 30 October 2023: 

“The world is calling for de-escalation and a ceasefire, thus denying Israel the right to defend itself.  It figures. It happens over and over, every time.  

When Israel continues to pursue its attackers, the United Nations (UN) steps in.  Sooner or later, the UN usually passes resolutions condemning Israel, and demanding an end to the fighting.  Nations and private individuals boycott trade with Israel.  Investors divest themselves of their investments in Israel.  Some nations, like Iran, threaten to join in attacking Israel. 

Eventually, when they are on the cusp of victory, the Unites States (US) pressures Israel into breaking off their counterattack and withdrawing from “occupied” areas.  The result is that the underlying conditions that are perpetuating the ongoing, sporadic warfare never get resolved, and the cycle repeats itself.” 

It didn’t take a genius to look at Israel’s recent history and foresee that it would happen ... and it is. 

To date, Israel’s leaders are standing strong.  They are resisting terrific pressure from most of the world’s nations individually, from the United Nations, and from within Israel itself for a ceasefire in their war with Hamas.  Israel is correct to continue the hostilities until the ability of Hamas to conduct organized activities is destroyed.  We applaud Israel’s courage and hope they will continue to fight to defend themselves. 

As a loyal American citizen, I have been ashamed of the actions of Democrats like Sen. Chuck Schumer, President Joe Biden, and Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, who have called for the people of Israel to oust Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and force their government to end the hostilities in Gaza.  It is an inexcusable interference in Israel’s internal affairs, and aid the United States is providing Israel for its defense does not justify doing it. 

Benjamin Netanyahu is a hero.  He is one of the greatest leaders in the world.  There have been many times when it has been clear that we Americans would have been better off if Mr. Netanyahu was President of the United States - rather than some of those we have had. 

We cannot say that the families of the hostages are to blame for advocating for their release.  It is impossible for someone who hasn’t gone through it to understand the horror of having a loved one held hostage by terrorists.  However, dear friends, think about why Hamas takes hostages in the first place.  They do it because they fully intend to use the hostages’ release as a lever to deter the consequences for atrocities like the barbarism they committed on 7 October 2023.  To capitulate to their demands for a ceasefire and unreasonable demands for an unequal exchange of hostages for terrorists imprisoned in Israel, will only encourage more hostage taking in the future. 

Israel, we urge you to continue the fight.  Find, fix, close with, and destroy Hamas.  Please, do not relent until you have victory – until you destroy Hamas’ will and ability to conduct further terrorist activities. 

Israel’s leaders, not all of the tactical considerations affecting your decision about when to begin subduing Rafah are available, and we are certain that your reasons for delaying are valid.  We ask only that you consider that the longer you wait to go into Rafah, the more opposition to it you will have to endure.

Strength from His Love

 Paul’s prayer for believers: 

When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father,  the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth.  I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit.  Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong.  And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is.  May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. 

Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.  Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen. (Ephesians 3:14-21 NLT) [1]

 

 

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[1] https://biblehub.com/nlt/ephesians/3.htm

 

 

Something to Think About at Easter

In John’s Gospel, Chapters 13 through 21 are devoted to an account of the events that happened at the end of Christ’s earthly ministry.  These passages contain some of the most stirring descriptions in the Holy Bible.  One particular occurrence is so poignant that it almost always brings tears to my eyes when I read it. 

Mary Magdalene was so distraught.  They had taken her Lord, and she did not know where they put Him.  Then she encountered Him outside the tomb.  At first, she did not recognize Him.  When Jesus called her name, she knew who He was.  Then she exclaimed, “Rabboni!”  With one simple word she acknowledged Him as her resurrected, living Lord.  May God remind us daily of what Mary experienced then. 

Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb.  So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.”  So Peter went out with the other disciple, and they were going toward the tomb.  Both of them were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first.  And stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in.  Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there, and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself.  Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; for as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead.  Then the disciples went back to their homes. 

But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb.  And she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet.  They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.”  Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus.  Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.”  Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher).  Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”  Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”—and that he had said these things to her. (John 20:1-18 ESV) [1]

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[1] https://biblehub.com/esv/john/20.htm

 

It's Easter and Christ was Raised - Praise God!

Just as Jesus Christ was raised from the dead, so shall all those who believe in Him be resurrected.  Easter is the perfect time to be saved.  Please join us in the resurrection by putting your faith in Jesus today. 

But tell me this—since we preach that Christ rose from the dead, why are some of you saying there will be no resurrection of the dead?  For if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised either.  And if Christ has not been raised, then all our preaching is useless, and your faith is useless.  And we apostles would all be lying about God—for we have said that God raised Christ from the grave. But that can’t be true if there is no resurrection of the dead.  And if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised.  And if Christ has not been raised, then your faith is useless and you are still guilty of your sins.  In that case, all who have died believing in Christ are lost!  And if our hope in Christ is only for this life, we are more to be pitied than anyone in the world. 

But in fact, Christ has been raised from the dead. He is the first of a great harvest of all who have died. 

So you see, just as death came into the world through a man, now the resurrection from the dead has begun through another man.  Just as everyone dies because we all belong to Adam, everyone who belongs to Christ will be given new life.  But there is an order to this resurrection: Christ was raised as the first of the harvest; then all who belong to Christ will be raised when he comes back. (1Corinthians 15:12-23 NLT)[1]

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[1] https://biblehub.com/nlt/1_corinthians/15.htm

 

 

Comfort and Wisdom for the Body of Christ

The book of Ephesians sets forth many of the doctrines of the Christian Faith.  It is filled with comforting passages like this prayer for the church, the Body of Christ: 

“I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.  I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.  And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.”
(Ephesians 1:17-23 NIV) [1]

Paul’s letters are full of affirmations of the Holy Trinity.  God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit are all referred to in this passage.

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[1] https://biblehub.com/niv/ephesians/1.htm

 

The Nerve

Lamp in a Corner is a Christian blog.  It must be written in the light of what the Word of God says.  It should not, therefore, contain comments that disrespect the government or its officials. (1Peter 2:13-17, Romans 13:1-7)  Sometimes, that is a tall order, and we fall short of the standard God has set for us. 

It would be easier if those we elect to govern us would not behave in ways that get our goat, but it is helpful to remember that the above referenced passages were written during the Roman Empire when it was ruled over by Nero (some sources say Claudius).  The church and the apostles themselves were being persecuted by Rome.

Often, it has been necessary to be critical of some of the things our government or the people running it are doing.  At times, flippant remarks have wormed their way into this blog.  An effort will be made not to do that in the future.  With that said, please understand that we are not perfect, yet.  We are a work in progress that will be finished when we are called home to be with Jesus in heaven. 

It is with “all due respect,” then, that we take issue with the way Israel has recently been treated by Senator Charles Schumer, President Biden, and others.  Sen. Schumer has called for Israel to replace Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the way the war in Gaza is being conducted.  President Biden is pressuring Israel to bring the hostilities to an end before they achieve their goal of destroying Hamas.  They both have made public statements to that effect, and Sen. Schumer spoke from the floor of the US Senate. 

It looks to me like the Democrats at all levels of government have failed miserably in their responsibility to keep our nation safe.  Doesn’t it seem to you that it takes a lot of nerve, therefore, for them to presume to tell Israel how to defend themselves - while they have been under hostile fire from Hamas and Hezbollah for years, and most recently since October 7, 2023? 

The Israelis have been surrounded by enemies for 75 years.  They have fought several wars to keep them at bay.  Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis, and other Iranian proxies want more than just to destroy the nation state of Israel.  They want to destroy their culture, their religion, and the Israeli people themselves – completely.  It is fair to assume that Sen. Schumer and President Biden have been made aware of that information.  It appears that they feel free to ignore it when they feel the heat from their political base. 

It is necessary, therefore, for US Citizens to respectfully and peacefully petition our government to give Israel all the support it needs to defend themselves from existential threats to the safety and security of its people.  Furthermore, we must allow the Israelis to defend themselves without our “advice” or interference.  In Israel, it is not a matter of politics.  It is a matter of survival.

 

No Longer the Same

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30 NKJV)[1] 

 He Touched Me

By William J. Gaither 

Shackled by a heavy burden,

'Neath a load of guilt and shame.

Then the hand of Jesus touched me,

And now I am no longer the same.

He touched me, Oh He touched me,

And oh the joy that floods my soul!

Something happened and now I know,

He touched me and made me whole.

Since I met this blessed Savior,

Since He cleansed and made me whole,

I will never cease to praise Him,

I'll shout it while eternity rolls.

He touched me, Oh He touched me,

And oh the joy that floods my soul!

Something happened and now I know

He touched me and made me whole.[2]

From the Album, “God is Good” (1999)
Recorded by the Gaither Vocal Band

[1] https://biblehub.com/nkjv/matthew/11.htm

[2] https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/2652431/gaither+vocal+band/he+touched+me