The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my heart and mind in Psalm 120:5-7,
"Woe to me that I dwell in Meshek, that I live among the tents of Kedar! Too long have I lived among those who hate peace. I am for peace; but when I speak, they are for war."
Jesus told his disciples a parable about weeds in Matthew 13:24-30. The essence of the parable was that those who embrace Jesus Christ in faith-- those who will inherit the kingdom of God, the "wheat"-- will have to live among "weeds"-- those who reject Jesus Christ-- until the age comes to an end. In 1 Corinthians 5:10 Paul points out the obvious reality that while we, the children of God, live in this life we will live among people who are immoral, greedy, swindlers, idolaters and the like. John tells us that those who are the "weeds" in Jesus' parable, the sinful Paul speaks of, will hate us. "Do not be surprised, my brothers and sisters, if the world hates you." 1 John 3:13.
"Woe to me that I dwell in Meshek, that I live among the tents of Kedar! Too long have I lived among those who hate peace. I am for peace; but when I speak, they are for war."
Jesus told his disciples a parable about weeds in Matthew 13:24-30. The essence of the parable was that those who embrace Jesus Christ in faith-- those who will inherit the kingdom of God, the "wheat"-- will have to live among "weeds"-- those who reject Jesus Christ-- until the age comes to an end. In 1 Corinthians 5:10 Paul points out the obvious reality that while we, the children of God, live in this life we will live among people who are immoral, greedy, swindlers, idolaters and the like. John tells us that those who are the "weeds" in Jesus' parable, the sinful Paul speaks of, will hate us. "Do not be surprised, my brothers and sisters, if the world hates you." 1 John 3:13.
The psalmist in Psalm 120 expresses his lament of that reality. He is a man who calls on the Lord, but has to live among the deceitful. These deceitful ones hate peace and embrace conflict.
I am reminded I will be hated in this life simply because I embrace the Lord. So will all others who love the Lord. We need to recognize that we will always be at odds with those "of this world". Hopefully we can win over many to our side.
In any event, we can say along with the psalmist, "Woe to me that I dwell..." among the ungodly.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
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