Saturday, December 3, 2016

AN ETERNAL, BLESSED ASSURANCE FOR GOD’S PEOPLE



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In Christ, Mark
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The scriptures. May God bless the reading of His holy word.

“Then you will know that I, the Lord your God, dwell in Zion, My holy hill. Jerusalem will be holy; never again will foreigners invade her.”

“In that day the mountains will drip new wine, and the hills will flow with milk; all the ravines of Judah will run with water. A fountain will flow out of the Lord’s house and will water the valley of acacias. But Egypt will be desolate, Edom a desert waste, because of violence done to the people of Judah, in whose land they shed innocent blood. Judah will be inhabited forever and Jerusalem through all generations. Shall I leave their innocent blood unavenged? No, I will not.” The Lord dwells in Zion!”

Joel 3: 17-21

This ends today’s reading from God's holy word. Thanks be to God.

How many times have we heard nations who openly profess themselves as enemies of Israel make bold statement about destroying the country and all of its people?

More than a few times I am afraid.

So does Israel have anything to worry about? Could some rogue state really succeed in making good on its threats and wiping the nation of Israel off of the world map?

The answer is no. A certain and resounding no.

How can I say that with absolute confidence?

Because it’s really not me saying it but rather the word of God. Look at this closing passage from the Book of Joel and the Lord’s promised blessings and protection for His nation and people:

“Then you will know that I, the Lord your God, dwell in Zion, My holy hill. Jerusalem will be holy; never again will foreigners invade her.”

“In that day the mountains will drip new wine, and the hills will flow with milk; all the ravines of Judah will run with water. A fountain will flow out of the Lord’s house and will water the valley of acacias. But Egypt will be desolate, Edom a desert waste, because of violence done to the people of Judah, in whose land they shed innocent blood. Judah will be inhabited forever and Jerusalem through all generations. Shall I leave their innocent blood unavenged? No, I will not.” The Lord dwells in Zion!”  Joel 3: 17-21

In prior verses in this chapter, we know that God was going to restore His people back to Canaan after they had served the full term of their seventy year sentence of exile in Babylon. During their return and work toward rebuilding their homeland, God would be turning His attention to the nations who had wronged Israel and Judah, bringing them to trial for their actions and sentencing them to their own judgments. In doing this, God was sending a message that He would severely deal with any nation who mistreated the Israelites and in our passage today, He assures His people then and now that He would ensure they would always live in the land He gave them and never have to fear foreigners invading again. Judah and Jerusalem would be inhabited forever, throughout all generations. Indeed, Israel has survived for more than 2,000 years since these words we read in Joel were spoken and they will continue to survive and endure forever more. God said it would be so as He pronounced blessings on His people, blessings that included:

1. Mountains that would drip new wine.

2. Hills flowing with milk.

3. Ravines running with water.

4. Fountains from the Lord’s house would water the acacias.

These are not just signs of life but signs of thriving life as God would give His people an abundance of what they needed.

As for their enemies (Egypt and Edom are specifically called out here), there would be destruction, desolation, and bloodshed as God brought on them what they had brought on the Israelites. They would get what they deserved for mistreating God’s chosen people.

Yes, the enemies of Israel had best take notice of these words from this lesser known book of the Bible. For any attempt to harm God’s beloved country and those who dwell within it will result not only in the attacking nation being unsuccessful but that nation being in the crosshairs of God’s punishment, a place no country should want to be.

Judah and Jerusalem will be inhabited forever and the Lord will dwell with His people, serving as their almighty refuge and stronghold. You can absolutely count on it because God promised it and He never breaks His promises.

Amen

In Christ,

Mark

PS: Feel free to leave a comment and please share this with anyone you feel might be blessed by it.

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