Oh, how I look forward to the Sabbath that is about to descend upon us once again! More and more I look forward to the 24-hour day that God set aside for us to rest in His Presence. As the days get more tense and fearsome, the Sabbaths get more and more precious to me.
This morning I spent time in the book of Micah and several things were quickened to me. He writes of a time when these warnings apply: "Do not trust a neighbor; put no confidence in a friend. Even with her who lies in your embrace, be careful of your words. For a son dishonors his father, a daughter rises up against her mother - a man's enmies are the members of his own household. But as for me, I watch in hope for the LORD. I wait for God my Yeshua (Savior); my God will hear me."
It is surely a prophecy for today. This time when Syria is literally about to fall, as prophesied in Isaiah 17. This time when the Islamic Caliphate is rising and the "Dark Knight" - Satan himself - is in over-drive, trying to divide and destroy the people of the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. I awaken to the news of a mass killing in a movie theater near Denver last night - during the screening of the film "The Dark Knight Rises." How horrific, yet how prophetic this act is!
Trembling, I read on in Micah, and find that place of shalom and rest that we are given in the Shabbat: "Though I sit in darkness, the LORD will be my light. Because I have sinned against him, I will bear the LORD's wrath, until He pleads my case and establishes my right. He will bring me out into the light; I will see His righteousness! Nations will see and be ashamed, deprived of all their power. They will lay their hands on their mouths and their ears will become deaf. They will lick dust like a snake, like creatures that crawl on the ground. They will come trembling out of their dens; they will turn an ear to the Lord our God and will be afraid of You. Who is a God like You, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of His inheritance? You do not stay angry, but delight to show mercy. You will again have compassion on us, you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea." Micah 7:5-10, 16-19
Oh, Father, your promises are sure and wonderful beyond my knowing! There IS a remnant of your inheritance even in our day, O God, who loves You with all our hearts, all our souls, all our minds, and all our strength! We watch the wicked in their diabolical schemes, and know that their end is soon. We keep our eyes fixed on You, Yeshua, the Author and Finisher of our faith! And we stand in awe that You would forgive us our transgressions, covering us with the precious Blood of our Messiah, and keeping us safe through the plagues and tribulation to come.
Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from Him. He alone is my Rock, and my Salvation, He is my fortress, I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend upon my God; He is my Mighty Rock, my Refuge. Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge! (Psalm 62:5-8)
Shabbat Shalom!
