2022-05-06
Good Morning Dear Ones,
With depth of faithful obedience, even in the worst of situations, joy abides in the deepest parts of our soul. It is likely to be there even when our pain is present for the short run. I remember the people of Dubrovnik and Sarajevo during the war that eventually broke up Yugoslavia. One could see bullet holes and other damage all around those once beautiful cities, that are now beautiful again. A much larger, more serious war which is for now physically destroying Ukraine, especially in Mariupol. Call me a cock-eyed optimist, but my faith and joy in the Lord tells me that one day, it too will be the lovely country it was before the Russians caused this unprovoked war. The Ukrainians have suffered terrible losses, but they are fighting valiantly and more effectively than anyone could have thought to save their motherland. I believe God allowed this incursion to happen for reasons that will only come clear later, and that He is with the Ukrainians. And so, the rest of the free world and NATO are unified behind them. PS 16: 11, “You have made the path of life known to me; You fill me with joy in Your presence.”
My heart breaks for all the innocent Ukrainians who have been forcibly deported to Russia, for all that have died at the tyrannical hand of Putin, and for all the families separated and made into refugees. I even feel sorry for the Russian protestors cruelly jailed, and for Putin’s oligarch who was poisoned for going against his policy of war. And yet, one might ask, “Where is God?” Even when God is silent, He is here, His presence is promised and made true [EX 2: 23-25]. PS 145: 18-19, “The Lord is near to all who call on Him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those who fear Him; He hears their cry and saves them.”
Read JN 15: 1-17. While this passage is too long to completely cite here, let me share some of its highlights that further illuminate just why I believe the Lord is here with us. JN 15: 1-2, 5, “I am the true Vine, and God is the Vinedresser. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit, He prunes so that it will be more fruitful…I am the Vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in Me and I in Him, he will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing.” Another way of putting what is being said is that we must be obediently faithful to God, if we want to have deep-seated joy that overcomes sometimes horrendous adversity. Verse 7 gives us an amazing promise, “If you remain in Me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.” Another way of saying this is that amidst horrendous adversity, e.g. the Holocaust, God will come through for His people. Yes, it might take time; however, we can rely on our Lord, Who knows the perfect time and way to bring about what He wants. That is always for the maximum blessing and in our best eternal interests. Sadly, the Holocaust and its aftermath had to come so there could be a homeland for the Jewish people, Israel. God wanted to end the Roman destruction of the Jerusalem temple and occupation of the holy land (then called Palestine). This period was accomplished by the establishment of the nation of Israel on May 14, 1948, and the appointment of its first president, Chaim Weitzman. In no way does this mean that Adolph Hitler and his Nazi leaders didn’t deserve the punishments they received for their atrocities! Many of those who perished physically in the concentration gas chambers were in my own family. Their descendants who either escaped the camps or avoided them altogether have gone on to accomplish the betterment of their homeland or made important contributions to where they ended up outside of Israel.
We are told in vs. 13-14, “My command is this: Love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” Think about it, this is what Jesus has done for us. It is also what many innocent victims of the war in the Ukraine, Ukrainian soldiers, and foreign soldiers who are fighting for Ukraine in this war have done. Vss. 16-17, gives us insight into Christ’s thinking and love for us. “You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit-fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in My name. This is my command: Love one another.” God has repeated His command in vss, 13 and 17; believe me it’s important!
PRAYER: O Lord, we stand before Your mighty throne, awed by Your will to bless innocent people, including ones who stand up to tyranny. In utter reverence, we offer You our loyalty, willingness to be obediently faithful to You, and our desire to honor you with the course of our lives. The truth is that we believe those martyred in the name of goodness, who proclaim our Lord Jesus as their Savior, will be themselves be honored in heaven [REV 6: 9-11]. We know that Jews who now reject Him will only do so for a while, and then, a remnant of them will accept the Lord when Your time is right [RO 11: 25]. We acknowledge and praise You for Christ’s Atonement, which guarantees that anyone who believes in Him will gain eternal life, be forever forgiven, and will take great joy in his fellowship with You. Thank you for all the blessings You bestow upon us. You are to be praised forever, in the holy/mighty name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
NEXT WEEK: The Holy Spirit has given me a list of questions about what is said in JN 15: 1-17. The answers to these questions will illuminate what is said and help us to better understand the nature of our faith. Hopefully, each of us will uncover our personal beliefs and have better self-awareness. As many have done who serve the Lord, we need to ask for guidance from Him about finding our skill set and how to apply it to the Lord’s work. There are times, as it was with me, when we begin in one direction and discover after prayer, that He wants us in another. Of course, there are people, who are blessed to know exactly what the Lord wants them to do in their service to Him right from the beginning. No matter which way it is in your life, He will love you, give you inner peace and joy, and will bless you on earth and/or in heaven. He is present, cares about you [1PET 5: 7] and listens to your prayers, and He is eager to bless those who love Him. Thanks and praise be to Him!
Grace Be With You Always,
Lynn
JS 24:15
© Lynn Johnson 2022. All Rights Reserved.
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