Psalms 122:6 still comes to mind, "Pray for Jerusalem's peace!" So I will continue to pray for peace in Jerusalem, feel free to join me if you like.
Mt. Zion in Israel is a huge source of history. It's the site of King David's tomb, the Upper Room where Jesus appeared to the disciples, the original site of the City of David- the actual location however is under debate. I found some photos, Mt. Zion (link). This is another of the songs they used to sing in pilgrimages to Jerusalem.
Psalms 125
Trusting in the Lord makes us like mountains that can't be moved and abides forever. I love how the Lord surrounds His people. Everywhere I go He is there. Good to remember that!
1 Those who trust in the Lord
Are like Mount Zion,
Which cannot be moved, but abides forever.
2 As the mountains surround Jerusalem,
So the Lord surrounds His people
From this time forth and forever.
God promised to protect His people as long as they remained righteous.
3 For the scepter of wickedness shall not rest
On the land allotted to the righteous,
Lest the righteous reach out their hands to iniquity. Today we are not under the law of good works. We are under the law of grace. Jesus sacrifice on the cross, paid the price for our sins.
4 Do good, O Lord, to those who are good,
And to those who are upright in their hearts.
This verse comes to mind:
Ephesians 2:8-105 As for such as turn aside to their crooked ways,
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
Now we do good works out of love for God and compassion for others.
The Lord shall lead them away
With the workers of iniquity.
Even those who turn from God, can now come back by repenting and seeking forgiveness through Christ.
1 John 1:9
9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Peace be upon Israel!
NKJV
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God...
NKJV
I'm thinking only God can sort this mess out. I'll keep praying.
I have to try and avoid politics because there are so many different opinions. And it quite honestly makes me so frustrated! Even my husband gets annoyed when I yell at the TV set... I try and stick with the Bible and quietly read The NY Times : ) I looked in the maps in my Bible and saw a map of, "Palestine." I did some historical searching to find out how Israel became Palestine (link) in the first place. I found it humbling. I provided the link in case you are interested, it does seem to support both the Old and New Testaments of the Bible.
This verse came to mind:
Romans 3:2323 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God...
NKJV
I'm thinking only God can sort this mess out. I'll keep praying.
I also learned that some of the Palestinians are in refugee camps in Jordan and Egypt, because of what's going on in Israel. It took me awhile to be able to post that part. I learned about Refugee Camps when I worked in a Third World Relief and Development Agency, and it upset me quite a bit. Only God can fix this and He is very capable.
ReplyDeleteOne last thing, it was disturbing to see Israel described as "settlers" instead of as a nation in some of the documents I read. They aren't even recognized as being home. Next time the Lord tells me to pray for peace for someone, I think maybe I will instead of researching why :) But I guess as Christians, it's good to pray with understanding. Grateful for His mercy and love!
ReplyDeleteMy next post is very happy. And I promise to move on.