✝ Daily Encouragement (10/9/23) "Wars and Rumors Of Wars"

Published: Mon, 10/09/23

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Monday, October 9, 2023

Yesterday following our church service we headed over to the Old Windmill Farm to join the Lapp family for a big country dinner in the old farmhouse. My grand-nephew Noah, who is attending Penn State and attends church with us, joined us and drove a tractor for the first time!

"Wars and Rumors Of Wars"

Message summary: As we hear of wars and rumors of wars Jesus said we do not have to be alarmed. This world is not our permanent home, so let us instead focus on our heavenly citizenship which is our eternal home.

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"You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come" (Matthew 24:6).

Saturday afternoon I was laying on a table at the bloodmobile preparing to offer a blood donation when I checked the news and first read of the horrific events in Israel. I was stunned and angered at such vile savagery. As the line goes this is "a breaking news story" so we watch the situation carefully in real time. Only God know how this story may have changed by the time you read this, especially if it escalates. I just read before posting this that more rockets are being fired into Israel.

Before any Bible teaching I pause to consider the grief and pain so many in Israel are enduring at this very time and pray for them. Practically unimaginable is to consider captives taken, including children. May the leadership have wisdom for an appropriate response.

All through our lifetime we have heard reports of wars and rumors of wars. In fact at any given time wars have been breaking out somewhere on the earth. The dictionary describes war as "a conflict carried on by force of arms, as between nations or between parties within a nation; warfare, as by land, sea, or air". War zones may also include gang wars and far too often, domestic violence.

Many smaller wars are taking place all the time and don't even make the news, especially if they are in an obscure place, aren't politically useful or don't fit with one's narrative. Any loss of life is grievous. Some wars are essentially ignored such as the horrific war being waged on Christians in Nigeria and many other places, especially in Africa. Actually these kinds of wars are happening all over.

War is one of the awful consequences of the Fall. The human race has been in conflict in one way or another ever since Cain killed his brother, Abel. How grievous that the first murder recorded in Scripture would be a man taking the life of his own biological brother. The first wars are recorded in Genesis 14. Portions of the Old Testament are uncomfortably war-filled, including some of the deadliest atrocities, described in Joshua and Judges.

The New Testament has less mention of wars. However in Revelation there are reports of horrible end time battles, including the Battle of Armageddon in Revelation 16.

Today's text is found in each of the three synoptic gospels. In our modern time of 24 hour breaking news we have instant knowledge of wars and rumors of wars. Previous generations had far less access to such news and they may not have even been aware of wars taking place in a distant region or the news would travel very slowly.

Here are several Scriptural responses to the news of "wars and rumors of wars":

1) The text continues, "that you are not alarmed" . News of wars and rumors of wars can be very alarming, much more so, if we are directly affected, such as those living in war torn countries. But Jesus wants us to have peace no matter the intensity of the storm we face. He is in charge!
2) "Such things must happen, but the end is still to come" . The reign of world peace did not begin at Christ's first mission to earth. His primary mission at that coming was to die for our sins. We still live in a fallen world filled with strife and division.
3) Jesus taught in the Beatitudes that we are to seek to be peacemakers, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God" (Matthew 5:9).
4) We are to pray for peace. The apostle Paul wrote, "I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness" (1 Timothy 2:1).
5) We are to "make every effort to do what leads to peace" (Romans 14:19) and "If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone" (Romans 12:18).

The New Testament's greatest emphasis on peace is:

1) Peace between us and God (reconciliation) : "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 5:1).
2) Peace within our hearts . "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:7).

As you hear of wars and rumors of wars Jesus said we do not have to be alarmed. This world is not our permanent home, so let us instead focus on our heavenly citizenship which is our eternal home.

Be encouraged today, (Hebrews 3:13 )

Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Daily prayer: Father, I am challenged by the prophetic words Christ shared with His disciples the night before His crucifixion. He warned them of the future tribulation they would experience all through life but He also encourages them to be overcomers just as He Himself is an overcomer. Neither Jesus' disciples who walked and talked with Him nor we who walk and talk with Him by faith will escape trial, tribulation or the fallout of war, but we can experience joy in knowing that Jesus is the Master Overcomer who equips, enables and encourages us to not be overcome by evil but to overcome this evil world by doing good. Amen.

Further musings: War in Israel and the Middle East is especially intriguing in light of Bible teaching and prophecy.

Last night I studied this matter.

Israel is a relatively tiny country (about the size of New Jersey with much of that being desert) It also has a relatively small population. Yet the impact of Israel and the Jewish people on world events far, far exceeds their size.

The Middle East region represents an area of over 5.0 million square miles. Vast deserts are common in the region. http://www.cotf.edu/earthinfo/meast/megeo.html Israel has just 8,630 square miles or a minuscule .2% of land area of Middle East. The total land area on earth is 57,268,900 square miles so a math whiz can determine what % Israel has of that.

Regarding population according to the Israel Central Bureau of Statistics, the Israeli Jewish population stood at 7,181,000 people in 2023, comprising 73% percent of the total population of Israel (if the Arab populations in East Jerusalem and the Golan Heights are included). The world's population is at 8.1 billion.

The word "Palestinian" derives from the Philistines, a people who were not indigenous to Canaan but who had gained control of the coastal plains. Thus this is an ancient conflict. Most Bible students recall David and the Philistine giant.

Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources

"Faithful" Watch video on YouTube Erik Nieder

Saturday morning I joined group of men from our Crossroads ABF class (Sunday School) for a breakfast at the Cracker Barrel. I've always enjoyed getting together with men for breakfast.

Last Friday Brooksyne visited the Pioneer Woman ranch area north of Tulsa Here she is along with her sister and a friend pretending to cook in the large ranch-house kitchen. Yesterday she returned from Tulsa to Nashville with her sister and is coming back this afternoon. Ester and I will pick her up at the Baltimore airport late this evening.

Saturday evening she attended her 50th high school class reunion at this location on Rt 66 west of Tulsa Oklahoma. She had a good time but told me her classmates sure had gotten older! She last saw many of them over 50 years ago at her graduation.

A windshield of the view of the sights of rural Lancaster County.

This Amish boy is skating behind a buggy holding a rope!

Before heading home from the farm yesterday afternoon I played some catch with Stephen. His athletic skills have improved immensely since we last played several weeks ago in part because they play at school during recess.

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