We are living in turbulent times in America today. On June 19th Dylann Roof went into a Bible study and prayer group meeting in Charleston, S.C. where he shot and killed nine black people apparently just because of the color of their skin. On July 16th, less than a month later, Muhammed Youssuf Abduluzeez entered a military facility and shot seven soldiers, five of whom died. One can only wonder if this wasn't a crime committed by a Muslim on a jihad. I know what all the talking heads are saying about Islam being a religion of love and tolaranee which promotes peace. Islam is derived from the Arabic root "Salema": peace, purity, submission and obedience. In the religious sense, Islam means submission to the will of God (Allah) and obedience to His law. In an even greater sense, "every" Muslim is on a jihad to bring "Sharia law," Allah's law, to be the law of every nation in the whole world. Oh yes, we are most definitely living in turbulent times!!!
All of this brings to my mind what King David wrote in Psalm 2 also during turbulent times:
"1 Why do the nations rage, and the people plot a vain thing? 2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD and against His Anointed, saying, 3 "Let us break their bonds in pieces and cast away their cords from us."
On another occasion after the Jewish rulers had arrested Peter and John "being greatly disturbed that they taught the people and preached in Jesus the resurreotion from the dead (Acts 4:2), they were ordered to never preach or teach in the name of Jesus again. Of course, we know that they informed those rulers that they had to obey God rather than men (a lesson we had better learn and be fully prepared to follow). Then after they were warned and threatened of worse punishment if they ever taught in Jesus' name again they were set free. When they gathered with the saints and reported how they had been persecuted for the sake of Christ, we read this in Acts 4:24-30:
"24 So when they heard that, they raised their voice to God with one accord and said: "Lord, You are God, who made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them, 25 who by the mouth of Your servant David have said: 'Why did the nations rage, and the people plot vain things? 26 The kings of the earth took their stand, and the rulers were gathered together against the LORD and against His Christ.' 27 "For truly against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together 28 to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose determined before to be done. 29 Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, 30 by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus."
It is time for us to follow the pattern of the early Christians and pray for God to give us "all boldness" that we might speak His Word! God may or may not remove the threats, He may or may not remove wicked men from public office, He may or may not restore America, but without question He will be with His people and empower us to remain faithful and serve Him if we so choose. May we always choose to serve the Lord! ! !
In His Loving Service, Vernon