The evening of Saturday, April 13th, 2024

Hello again, dear Reader, and welcome back to my blog; this time for an evening reflection. The war that has begun in Israel and Gaza weighs heavily on my heart right now; I even know someone who lives there and pray for him and his loved ones' safety (even right now, in Jesus' Name, Amen).💗

It's hard to see our world so torn apart, isn't it? I mean, if we just look at the world and the state it's in, it'd be pretty easy to become overwhelmed and fall into despair, into "the dark night of the soul" (a poem by St. John of the Cross, 1542-1591). That's one of the innumerable reasons to strive to set our face like a flint (see Isaiah 50:7) and press on toward the goal (see Philippians 3:14). Personally I've recently discovered that if I'm busily engaged in deliberately pursuing good things (from chores to finding people to encourage, to reading the Word, to sharing the Word with others, to praying, to learning something new, et cetera)... then I just don't have time and/or energy to be angry (and lose focus? nope!) or feel sorry for myself, or other forms of wasting time (and/or energy). 

Feel free to join me if you wish, dear Reader, but I'm going to pray for peace in Israel and Gaza. 
Dear Father God, please be the Overseer of all that is currently happening in Israel and Gaza. Lord, please raise Your Mighty hand of power and calm the peoples as You calmed the storm. 
Lord God, please pour Your Spirit out on all flesh who are presently in conflict; soften the hearts of men towards one another. Father God, where there is hatred, please drown it with Your compassion. Please send your angels to minister to all human beings who are affected by this and deliver them from each others' hands into Yours. Above all, let Your will be done. In Jesus' Holy Name, Amen.

 

Thank you, especially if you joined me or prayed for them on your own, I consider it a personal favor. 💜

Psalm 46, NIV,  full text:  
1 God is our refuge and strength
     an ever-present help in trouble.

2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way

    and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,

3 though its waters roar and foam

    and the mountains quake with their surging.[c]

4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,

    the holy place where the Most High dwells.

5 God is within her, she will not fall;

    God will help her at break of day.

6 Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;

    he lifts his voice, the earth melts.

7 The Lord Almighty is with us;

    the God of Jacob is our fortress.

8 Come and see what the Lord has done,

    the desolations he has brought on the earth.

9 He makes wars cease

    to the ends of the earth.

He breaks the bow and shatters the spear;

    he burns the shields[d] with fire.

10 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;

    I will be exalted among the nations,

    I will be exalted in the earth.”

11 The Lord Almighty is with us;

    the God of Jacob is our fortress.

Footnotes

Psalm 46:1 In Hebrew texts 46:1-11 is numbered 46:2-12.

Psalm 46:1 Title: Probably a musical term

Psalm 46:3 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verses 7 and 11.

Psalm 46:9 Or chariots

I hope that all who read these words find comfort for your souls. I pray that Peace is reached in Israel and Gaza soon! Dear Lord, please intervene, You are our only hope! 

Be blessed; treasure peace in your hearts and spread that love as best as you possibly can and I'll strive to do the same; that's the best any of us can do. 💚