LIVING IN ERA OF DISTRUST

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

2Peter [GW] 1:19-21 So we regard the words of the prophets as confirmed beyond all doubt. You're doing well by paying attention to their words. Continue to pay attention as you would to a light that shines in a dark place as you wait for day to come and the morning star to rise in your hearts. 20 First, you must understand this: No prophecy in Scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation. 21 No prophecy ever originated from humans. Instead, it was given by the Holy Spirit as humans spoke under God's direction.

  I consider a general knowledge of history important. From historical eras we see what worked and what didn’t work, and who (individuals and nations) accomplished or failed, and how they did so.

  Not being in high political or management positions, for most of us such ongoing education and its application typically doesn’t involve world, nation, or corporation changing authority. However, every man, woman, and youth has areas of responsibility and influence; the primary one being their own life, family, friends ...

  Though penned by Isaiah over 2700 years ago, God’s Word exemplifies this truth: “In that day this song shall be sung in the land of Judah: We have a strong city; He sets up salvation as our walls and banks. 2 Open the gates, and the righteous nation shall enter in, keeping faithfulness. 3 You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You; because he trusts in You. 4 Trust in Jehovah forever; for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength. 5 For He brings down those who dwell on high; He lays low the lofty city; He lays it low, even to the ground; He brings it to the dust. (MKJV Isa.26:1-5)

  Having read the verses in numerous translations and versions, using Strong’s to define meaning of a few words I discover it means just what it says in English. Isaiah begins with large scale of nations and cities, shifts to individual responsibility in history, then returns to the big picture.

  Whether nation rises, falls, or recovers will come to pass and be recorded in heaven and likely here.

  I believe we are in the midst of major national and world change, change involving a bigger than usual distrust of leadership.

  In this era of great distrust we individually choose whether to extend that distrust to our relationship in LORD JEHOVAH.

  Look at the passage from Isaiah again and note it includes responsibility indicator “perfect peace”. Using it as measure, can we, you, I, claim genuinely trusting Him in this era of distrust?  EBB4