"Because you have said, We have made a covenant with death, and with Sheol (the place of the dead) we have an agreement-- when the overflowing scourge passes through, it will not come to us, for we have made lies our refuge, and in falsehood we have taken shelter. Therefore thus says the Lord God, Behold, I am laying in Zion for a foundation a Stone, a tested Stone, a precious Cornerstone of sure foundation; he who believes (trusts in, relies on, and adheres to that Stone) will not be ashamed or give way or hasten away [in sudden panic]." (Isaiah 28:15,16-Amplified Bible, Advent Reading From B. of C.P.)
In the 20th Century alone, Russia, Germany, and the United States of America, came under the judgment of our text. They, "made a covenant with death," and, "made lies our refuge, and in falsehood we have taken shelter." History records the utter stupidity of such a "covenant." Someone would say, "Well, I understand the horrors of Communist Russia and Fascist Germany, but America? Yes. In 1962 Americans stood by and did nothing while the highest court of the land took the daily praying of the prayer of Jesus out of the state school system. Next, in 1963, Americans allowed the "God-Breathed" Word to be eliminated from those same schools. In the middle to latter 1960's, our government leaders succumbed to the self- destructive forces and in 1975 abandoned our ally, South Viet Nam. Corrupt though it may have been, it was still our ally. In the following years, millions were murdered by the communist reprobate, Ho Chi Minh. And perhaps the worst, "covenant with death," and the worst, "refuge," and, "shelter," America came under was the 1973 Supreme Court decision to legalize the murder of babies while in their mothers' womb. All three countries have paid dearly for such utter stupidity.
That First Christmas Night ("O, Holy Night") when the Godhead fulfilled our text in Jesus, "Behold, I am laying in Zion for a foundation a Stone, a tested Stone, a precious Cornerstone of sure foundation," He revealed to mankind a better way, yes, the only Way. Jesus the Christ Is Our Foundation Stone, and, "he who believes (trusts in, relies on, and adheres to That Stone) will not be ashamed or give way or hasten away [in sudden panic]." Shame and, "sudden panic," comes on any person or nation who rejects Jesus Christ for, "a covenant with death," and making, "lies our refuge, and in falsehood...have taken shelter." But during this Christmas Season, you and I can take great comfort in the words of Joel 2:27, "My people shall never be put to shame." Why? Because they have repented of and refused all refuge of lies and shelters of falsehood. Believe me, there have been and will be in the days ahead events which will cause those under, "lies," and, "falsehood," to, "hasten away [in sudden panic.]" But to you and me who trust absolutely in Jesus Christ and in Jesus Christ alone, no hastening away, no sudden panic. We will be able to say to all around us, "This is that which was spoken by the prophet...."
Father, in Jesus' Name, thank You so much for my Foundation Stone, Jesus. Amen.
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Unreached Peoples: www.apfunreachedpeoples.blogspot.com
In the 20th Century alone, Russia, Germany, and the United States of America, came under the judgment of our text. They, "made a covenant with death," and, "made lies our refuge, and in falsehood we have taken shelter." History records the utter stupidity of such a "covenant." Someone would say, "Well, I understand the horrors of Communist Russia and Fascist Germany, but America? Yes. In 1962 Americans stood by and did nothing while the highest court of the land took the daily praying of the prayer of Jesus out of the state school system. Next, in 1963, Americans allowed the "God-Breathed" Word to be eliminated from those same schools. In the middle to latter 1960's, our government leaders succumbed to the self- destructive forces and in 1975 abandoned our ally, South Viet Nam. Corrupt though it may have been, it was still our ally. In the following years, millions were murdered by the communist reprobate, Ho Chi Minh. And perhaps the worst, "covenant with death," and the worst, "refuge," and, "shelter," America came under was the 1973 Supreme Court decision to legalize the murder of babies while in their mothers' womb. All three countries have paid dearly for such utter stupidity.
That First Christmas Night ("O, Holy Night") when the Godhead fulfilled our text in Jesus, "Behold, I am laying in Zion for a foundation a Stone, a tested Stone, a precious Cornerstone of sure foundation," He revealed to mankind a better way, yes, the only Way. Jesus the Christ Is Our Foundation Stone, and, "he who believes (trusts in, relies on, and adheres to That Stone) will not be ashamed or give way or hasten away [in sudden panic]." Shame and, "sudden panic," comes on any person or nation who rejects Jesus Christ for, "a covenant with death," and making, "lies our refuge, and in falsehood...have taken shelter." But during this Christmas Season, you and I can take great comfort in the words of Joel 2:27, "My people shall never be put to shame." Why? Because they have repented of and refused all refuge of lies and shelters of falsehood. Believe me, there have been and will be in the days ahead events which will cause those under, "lies," and, "falsehood," to, "hasten away [in sudden panic.]" But to you and me who trust absolutely in Jesus Christ and in Jesus Christ alone, no hastening away, no sudden panic. We will be able to say to all around us, "This is that which was spoken by the prophet...."
Father, in Jesus' Name, thank You so much for my Foundation Stone, Jesus. Amen.
************
Unreached Peoples: www.apfunreachedpeoples.blogspot.com
When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"
"Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2
