And he called them to him and said to them in
parables, “How can Satan cast out Satan? If a kingdom is
divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house is divided against itself, that house will
not be able to stand. And if Satan has risen up against himself and is
divided, he cannot stand, but is coming to an end. But no one can enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he
first binds the strong man. Then indeed he may plunder his house.” Mark 3:23-27
Lord,
The world is
full of chatter about the plight, or the arrogance (depending on who I listen
to) of the State of Israel. Some would have Your people wiped clean from the
earth, while others champion the cause of Zionism. Ruler of the universe, You know
where I stand on this issue. I am not reaching out for Your hand to walk with me
in familiar territory. I come to ask You to lead me through the dark valley of a
strange and uncomfortable place.
What disturbs me
this day is the attitude of Your church. Those who should be most concerned
about Your land and attacks on your people seem least concerned. It’s not just
about Israel. But that beautiful place has again become the tinderbox for what
I see going on in the Middle East, Eurasia, Africa…the world for that matter.
Your people; Jew and Gentile alike, are being persecuted, tortured, harangued, slaughtered;
and we have made it a political issue. Is this all about bureaucratic borders
and ideology? Or is there something else going on that even Your bride is
choosing to be blind to?
Rather than a
worldly conflict (sad enough we remain docile about these abuses on that level),
is this a spiritual conflict? If so, if the glaring escalation of this turmoil
is a battle of choice between Your way and all other ways; then why are Your
people not vocally, physically, spiritually joined together in it?
Why are those who call themselves “Followers of YHWH” and “Followers of Christ”
not crying out as one; demanding of governments and nations to not just
verbally condemn, but to refuse such behavior rather than treat it as a
religious freedom or social norm?
As important, why
are we, Your people, not united in our outrage and our actions? Why do we
tolerate this offence to Israel and to Your Church Body? Is such crucifixion
still only a media spectacle to us, even when it involves actual members of our
own worldwide community being decimated and eliminated? Are we so calloused
that the cutting off of our own toe or finger (or more!) doesn't cause us to
scream out and react?
In humility and considering
these recent events, I come to You with a question and request, Adonai. Am I
pointing fingers when I too am guilty by reason of inaction? How would You have
me reach out to non-believers (inviting them by my example to worship You only)
while also demonstrating intolerance toward worship of other ideologies. In
other words, how in this world where all forms of strange behavior and beliefs
are now “on the table, should I proclaim Your borderline in the sand?
One thing You have
taught me already is not to demand of others that they must bow down to You.
That is their choice and Your desire; not my duty and prerogative. I am not to
be the decider of others fate or faith—no cutting off of head, burning or
abusing by my hand. I am to be Your example of hope in a world of chaos.
Still, I sense more
to the lesson Lord. Teach me, teach us all, not just how to stand with You, but
how to move for You. Protect me from becoming corrupt in the process; such as
those who claim other gods to be superior over You.
Show me how to
cross over borderlines of politeness and correctness in order to become victors
rather than victims. I pray it in your name Jesus,
Amen
Mark C.
