grieving-with-god

GRIEVING WITH GOD

As I was sitting in the presence of the Lord this morning, my heart was grieving for God and His people Israel. I was reminded of a word that I had received from Lord Jesus on January 4, 1995. "My heart is breaking. I want so much to help them, to have them come to Me, turn to Me, and they won’t. Keep praying--praying for Jerusalem, My Holy City, and for My Beloved People. Why won’t they come to Me? They are frightened and are unsure of so much and still they had rather tell each other... ‘It will be all right this time.’ It will not be all right this time. .... It is going to get really bad in the not so distant future. ..."

I found myself wanting to wipe the tears away from Father’s and Jesus’ faces. Even though They know absolutely everything, it does not change the fact that They hurt and grieve with and for Their people. I have been reading articles from Israel and about Israel for many years, and I have watched the procession of endless talks and meetings and land give-away’s that are supposed to bring "peace" to the region. All it has brought is more talks and more land give-away’s. I have also over this last year read several historical novels. The first set is called The Secret of the Rose by Michael Phillips and the others called Zion Covenant and The Zion Chronicles by Bodie Thoene. These all take place before and during World War II, and I recommend them highly. Reading these books for me has been the same as reading my daily newspaper. In the time span between 1933-1936, and then as circumstances became more evident in 1937, 1938, and leading up to the invasion of Poland in 1939, there were many of God’s people who read between the lines of their daily lives and the lives of other Jews in Europe. They realized that things were headed for a terrible turn. They left homes, businesses, etc. and fled Europe while there was time to do so. The Jews have always been persecuted and they always will be...just because of Who’s they are. They have been chosen by God to be His People, and let’s face it, the world...every one else..., doesn’t like that. These “others” want to be the ones whom God chose or, in the case of the Arabs, they have believed and spread the demonically inspired lie that the first son of Abraham, Ishmael, who was born to his wife’s Egyptian maidservant Hagar, is the true son
and not Isaac, with whom God choose to make His covenant of promise. Genesis 17:21 This is the very old battle between half brothers that has gone on for thousands of years and will continue to go on until Jesus returns and brings about Father’s complete will and purpose in this matter.

During a trip to Israel with a friend in 1994, my friend and I were privileged to meet a young Jewish woman who was traveling in the country and visiting friends who lived on a Kibbutz. We had several conversations with her and she truly believed that peace was possible with the Palestinians and all of the Arab nations. My friend asked her a question one evening. "How do you make peace with an enemy who wants you dead?" This young woman’s response was that my friend sounded like her parents. My friend silently pray that God would show this young woman the truth. The very next day, this young lady took a bus ride around Jerusalem and told us about her time that evening at dinner. It seems that she sat by an Arab who was quite atimated about his personal hate of all Jews and stated that he wanted to kill all Jews. This young woman did not look Jewish by the Israeli norm...her dress, hair color, and mannerisms. We believe that this young woman could have lost her life if this man had truly known that she was Jewish. She did come away from this situation with a somewhat different perspective.

Another part of the equation that most people do not spend any time with is the rise in anti-Semitism. Most people either do not believe it exist, are tired of hearing about it, or they simply don’t really understand it. Like everything else in life, if you have not been personally touched by it in some way, you really cannot understand it. The lack of total understanding of antisemitism should not stop us from seeing that it is growing. If you spend any time at all on the Internet, you will find the growth of antisemitism along with the poison being spread of many other hate groups. What makes this worse, in my thinking, is that it again involves God. Satan has convinced a lot of people that (1) if all Jews are killed then all of God’s promises will die also, and (2) every one that does not want to live by God’s law can just throw it off and live like they want. It is also interesting to me that over the years, antisemitism has come to be associated only with the intolerance and hatred of Jews. All of the different groups of people that live in Southwestern Asia, like the Hebrews and Arabs are of the Semite’s (The Merriam Webster Dictionary page 664).

Another reason for my grieving is because God specifically says in His word in many, many places that His land is not to be divided up and that those who do this will come to a terrible end. Mr. Ehud Barak is just one in a list of people who have been carving up Israel in pieces and giving it away to its enemy...an enemy that has vowed in the Koran, in speeches, etc., to drive all Jews into the sea. If you would like to do some investigation on your own there are Internet sites that deals with many issues. There are sections there on just what is really going on in the Arab world as far as Israel is concerned. There are also guidelines and scriptures that you can pray daily for Israel...the people and the land. You can also find sites on the Internet where the PLO, Hamas, and other groups who have vowed to kill all Jews. These groups are very vocal about their intent. Reading old speeches of Arafat and others can also be real eye openers if you will allow the God of Israel to help you see. There are books in libraries, including the Koran, that spell it out in black and white, if people would just take the time to do some reading. Even if you don’t have an understanding of the history of Israel or haven’t done much reading in the Old Testament, get your Bible out and ask God to open your eyes to His love for His people.

God’s love for His People in no way circumvents His justice. God’s Chosen People of Israel, the church, and all of God’s creation is responsible before Him for all choices. God is still reaching out to all peoples and calling them to repent of all of their sin and come to Him and find Life.

Recently I heard a tape by Dr. Derek Prince on anti-Semitism. (“The Christian Factor in Anti-Semitism”) It was profoundly moving and full of historical facts about the church, the antisemitism that is still in it, and all of the anti-Semitism that has been fostered by the church in Jesus’ Name. This is an abomination to the God of Israel, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, and it is a sin that must be seen, accepted, and repented for individually. The true church of Jesus Christ must be washed clean of this horrible iniquity before God and the Jewish people, and then a true searching of our roots can be born in us from the Heart of God. I know in my own life that God’s heart is with His people and that the Covenant that He made with Abraham and his son Isaac and then Jacob is an everlasting covenant. Yes, there will be many Jews who will not believe God, just like there are and will be many who call themselves Christians that do not believe this Truth about God and His covenant with Israel and the Gentiles. But that does not change the facts that can be found in the word of God.

I personally believe that before anyone can move ahead in a true personal relationship with God, the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, sin must be handled: Personal antisemitism and corporate antisemitism! Dr. Prince noted in his tape two examples of prayer. My favorite is from Daniel 9:3-19. When reading this prayer, as Dr. Prince pointed out on his tape, Daniel did not say...they have sinned. He said “we have sinned”! Verse 16 says that we and Israel’s forefathers have sinned. This is individual and corporate repentance. Many of us at one time or another have thought or said or written something or not responded in a correct manner when someone else made a statement against the Jews. And, in all honesty, if you have never done any of these things, the forefathers of the church have. Of course, any other sins that you need to talk to God about should be done also. A real and true time of deep searching of the soul in the presence of Almighty God needs to be taken seriously by every true believer in Jesus Christ. These are His brothers and sisters that the church has sinned against and, like it or not, God will hold individuals responsible for not getting this handled in their hearts and minds. Once you have spent time with God on this matter and any other personal sins, ask God to give you His heart for His people. It will change your life in ways that you cannot imagine. I know it certainly has mine. Then, when you sit in His presence and pray for His people and His land and His city that He has chosen for Himself, and your heart truly feels His pain and tears, you, too, can join Him in those tears, and also in joy, knowing that the day of restoration for Israel is coming... You can wipe His tears away!

Bottom Line

Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God," Psalm 146:5

Current Events

Regarding current events in Israel:

“... The fact is that we are giving legitimacy to a flawed concept. We are negotiating our very existence with those who seek to end it. Peace will never be the result of these negotiations. On the contrary. The more we show our enemies that we are willing to further weaken ourselves voluntarily for paper promises, the further we guarantee that our enemies will unite to destroy us just as soon as they perceive that we are weak enough to destroy. One needn't be a genius nor a military strategist to see this. ...” *

From The Bridegroom

"My heart is breaking. I want so much to help them, to have them come to Me, turn to Me, and they won’t. Keep praying--praying for Jerusalem--My Holy City and for My Beloved People. Why won’t they come to Me? They are frightened and are unsure of so much and still they had rather tell each other... ‘It will be all right this time.’ It will not be all right this time. .... It is going to get really bad in the not so distant future. ..." January 4, 1995.

God's Chosen People

God’s Land, which He gave to the Jewish People, is under great stress. This stress is due, mainly, to the pressure of the Clinton Administration to give away their inheritance. Your intercession is greatly needed. Shout from the roof-tops the TRUTH of God’s Word in declaring His Land for His People! It’s time to stand up and be counted and to be found standing in the truth of God alone!

Another article that I read recently has some things to say about the current circumstances and where they are leading. I quote: "Those who instinctively pick up the scent of war are correct. The political Left are unwittingly accelerating the probability of attack by making the nation of Israel increasingly vulnerable and an irresistible bait to the hunters. It’s in the air - just like it was in 1936. Just take a deep breath and you will smell it. We humans simply cannot resist repeating errors of the past." Apocalypse - Soon by Emanuel A. Winston, a Middle East analyst & commentator. Page 4 3rd paragraph.
During a trip to Israel with a friend in 1994, my friend and I were privileged to meet a young Jewish woman who was traveling in the country and visiting friends who lived on a Kibbutz. We had several conversations with her and she truly believed that peace was possible with the Palestinians and all of the Arab nations.  My friend asked her a question one evening.  "How do you make peace with an enemy who wants you dead?"  This young woman’s response was that my friend sounded like her parents.  My friend silently pray that God would show this young woman the truth.  The very next day, this young lady took a bus ride around Jerusalem and told us about her time that evening at dinner.  It seems that she sat by an Arab who was quite animate about his personal hate of all Jews and stated that he wanted to kill all Jews.  This young woman did not look Jewish by the Israeli norm...her dress, hair color, and mannerisms.  We believe that this young woman could have lost her life if this man had truly known that she was Jewish.  She did come away from this situation with a somewhat different perspective.
   Another part of the equation that most people do not spend any time with is the rise in anti-Semitism.  Most people either do not believe it exist, are tired of hearing about it, or they simply don’t really understand it. Like everything else in life, if
you have not been personally touched by it in some way, you really cannot understand it.  The lack of total understanding of anti-Semitism should not stop us from seeing that it is growing.  If you spend any time at all on the Internet, you will find the growth of anti-Semitism along with the poison being spread of many other hate groups.  What makes this worse, in my thinking, is that it again involves God.  Satan has convinced a lot of people that (1) if all Jews are killed then all of God’s promises will die also, and (2) every one that does not want to live by God’s law can just throw it off and live like they want.  It is also interesting to me that over the years, anti-Semitism has come to be associated only with the intolerance and hatred of Jews.  All of the different groups of people that live in Southwestern Asia, like the Hebrews and Arabs are of the Semite’s (The Merriam Webster Dictionary page 664).
   Another reason for my grieving is because God specifically says in His word in many, many places that His land is not to be divided up and that those who do this will come to a terrible end.  Mr. Ehud Barak is just one in a list of people who have been carving up Israel in pieces and giving it away to its enemy...an enemy that has vowed in the Koran, in speeches, etc., to drive all Jews into the sea.  If you would like to do some investigation on your own here are a few places to go: http://www.sojourners.net is an Internet site that deals with many issues.  There are sections there on just what is really going on in the Arab world as far as Israel is concerned.  There are also guidelines and scriptures that you can pray daily for Israel..the people and the land. You can also find sites on the Internet where the PLO, Hamas, and other groups who have vowed to kill all Jews.  These groups are very vocal about their intent. Reading old speeches of Arafat and others can also be real eye openers if you will allow the God of Israel to help you see. There are books in libraries, including the Koran, that spell it out in black and white, if people would just take the time to do some reading.  A news gathering site on the Internet called Dateline: Israel (http://www.mindspring.com/~sojourners/Dateline.htm) keeps up with daily events in Israel and around the world and can be very helpful.  Even if you don’t have an understanding of the history of Israel or haven’t done much reading in the Old Testament, get your Bible out and ask God to open your eyes to His love for His people.
   God’s love for His People in no way circumvents His justice.  God’s chosen people of Israel, the church, and all of God’s creation is responsible before Him for all choices.  God is still reaching out to all peoples and calling them to repent of all of their sin and come to Him and find Life.
   Recently I heard a tape by Dr. Derek Prince on anti-Semitism. (“The Christian Factor in Antisemitism”)  It was profoundly moving and full of historical facts about the church, the antisemitism that is still in it, and all of the anti-Semitism that has been fostered by the church in Jesus’ name. This is an abomination to the God of Israel, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, and it is a sin that must be seen, accepted, and repented for individually. The true church of Jesus Christ must be washed clean of this horrible iniquity before God and the Jewish people, and then a true searching of our roots can be born in us from the Heart of God. I know in my own life that God’s heart is with His people and that the Covenant that He made with Abraham and his son Isaac and then Jacob is an everlasting covenant. Yes, there will be many Jews who will not believe God, just like there are and will be many who call themselves Christians that do not believe this Truth about God and His covenant with Israel and the Gentiles. But that does not change the facts that can be found in the word of God.

I personally believe that before anyone can move ahead in a true personal relationship with God, the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, sin must be handled: Personal anti-Semitism and corporate antisemitism! Dr. Prince noted in his tape two examples of prayer. My favorite is from Daniel 9:3-19.  When reading this prayer, as Dr. Prince pointed out on his tape, Daniel did not say...they have sinned.  He said “we have sinned”!  Verse 16 says that we and Israel’s forefathers have sinned.  This is individual and corporate repentance.  Many of us at one time or another have thought or said or written something or not responded in a correct manner when someone else made a statement against the Jews.  And, in all honesty, if you have never done any of these things, the forefathers of the church have. Of course, any other sins that you need to talk to God about should be done also.  A real and true time of deep searching of the soul in the presence of Almighty God needs to be taken seriously by every true believer in Jesus Christ.  These are His brothers and sisters that the church has sinned against and, like it or not, God will hold individuals responsible for not getting this handled in their hearts and minds.             Once you have spent time with God on this matter and any other personal sins, ask God to give you His heart for His people.  It will change your life in ways that you cannot imagine.  I know it certainly has mine.  Then, when you sit in His presence and pray for His people and His land and His city that He has chosen for Himself, and your heart truly feels His pain and tears, you, too, can join Him in those tears, and also in joy, knowing that the day of restoration for Israel is coming...  You can wipe His tears away!

Bottom Line

   "Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God," Psalm 146:5

Current Events

   Regarding current events in Israel:

“...  The fact is that we are giving legitimacy to a flawed concept.  We are negotiating our very existence with those who seek to end it.  Peace will never be the result of these negotiations.  On the contrary.  The more we show our enemies that we are willing to further weaken ourselves voluntarily for paper promises, the further we guarantee that our enemies will unite to destroy us just as soon as they perceive that we are weak enough to destroy.  One needn't be a genius nor a military strategist to see this. ...” *

From The Bridegroom

    "My heart is breaking.  I want so much to help them, to have them come to Me, turn to Me, and they won’t.  Keep praying--praying for Jerusalem--My Holy City and for My Beloved People.  Why won’t they come to Me? They are frightened and are unsure of so much and still they had rather tell each other... ‘It will be all right this time.’  It will not be all right this time.  .... It is going to get really bad in the not so distant future. ..." January 4, 1995.

God's Chosen People

   God’s Land, which He gave to the Jewish People, is under great stress.  This stress is due, mainly, to the pressure of the Clinton Administration to give away their inheritance.  Your intercession is greatly needed.  Shout from the roof-tops the TRUTH of God’s Word in declaring His Land for His People!  It’s time to stand up and be counted and to be found standing in the truth of God alone!

Knowing The TimesTM