Thought for Friday, 19 April

Zechariah 12: 1-5

A prophecy: The word of the Lord concerning Israel.

The Lord, who stretches out the heavens, who lays the foundation of the earth, and who forms the human spirit within a person, declares: “I am going to make Jerusalem a cup that sends all the surrounding peoples reeling. Judah will be besieged as well as Jerusalem. 

On that day, when all the nations of the earth are gathered against her, I will make Jerusalem an immovable rock for all the nations. All who try to move it will injure themselves. On that day I will strike every horse with panic and its rider with madness,” declares the Lord. “I will keep a watchful eye over Judah, but I will blind all the horses of the nations. Then the clans of Judah will say in their hearts, ‘The people of Jerusalem are strong, because the Lord Almighty is their God.’

Quite a long reading today but it reflects bible prophecy happening in our own lives. Of course, Zechariah was not the only one who prophesied about these days for Israel, but all of them tell of the ultimate victory over all those who oppose that nation.

We have already seen three fought in Israel, 1948, 1967 and 1974, for such a small nation this seems more than any nation should have to fight, far less such a small piece of land, where, apparently a fighter jet can reach Tel Aviv from the West Bank in 11 seconds. How have they been able to go about their daily lives under the fear of attack?

Well, we know that God watches over them and will no doubt have yet another victory in mind. What we tend to forget though, is that we are part of the same family of God through the blood of the Lamb. So many preachers and teachers have apparently forgotten this fact, too often intentionally.

False prophets and teachers are multiplying daily, You Tube is drowning in them. The people of the evil one are massing for the final push, whenever that comes about. So many so-called civilised people parading and protesting against the children of God, but it is a fact that God knows what He is doing.

He sent Jesus to begin the process and it will surely trundle to the end God intends. We may not know the day or the hour, but we can be certain that every day brings us closer to the Day of the Lord.

Prayer

Almighty God, You have the plans made for Your will to be fulfilled. Whether we will be here to experience it or if we will already be with You and Your beloved Son we have no way of knowing. We have the certainty of the cross stained with the blood of Jesus for our souls so we pray for Your grace and mercy in the times ahead, wherever we are. We pray also for those who are being led astray by men and women who profess to preach Your word but do not. Please protect the innocent who are caught up in the violence ensuing. Thank You Lord God for all Your gifts and the sacrifice of Jesus for our salvation, we pray in His name, amen.