"The heaven, even the heavens, are the Lord's; but the earth He has given to the children of men." (Psalm 115:16)
The first question which came to me when I read our text yesterday morning was, "How badly do you want it?" The NIV says, "The highest heavens belong to the Lord, but the earth He has given to mankind." Notice that our text does not mention any particular people group or "religious affiliation," just, "the children of men," or, "mankind."
Lest some think I am pulling an idea out of context of the whole of Scripture, I remind you of Genesis 11. Mankind, "....had one language and one speech." You will remember that they then determined to, "....make a name for ourselves...." Yes, as He has done all throughout history, "But the Lord came down to see...(what) the sons of men had built." He then affirmed the "theology" of our text. "And the Lord said, 'indeed the people are one and they all have one language, and this is what they begin to do; now nothing that they propose to do will be withheld from them.'" But, as the Great "Banks of the river" of history, Jesus frustrated their plans. Father, Son, Holy Spirit said, "Come, let Us go down and there confuse...." I pray this regularly for all who oppose the reign of Jesus Christ and the Principles of His "Law/Word" throughout the Earth.
History has proven that every empire, government, revolution was won by those who wanted it most. I can think of no exceptions, Lenin, Hitler, Muhammad, the Romans, Alexander, and so on. They all started out small, but with sheer will and determination, and wanting "it" more badly than others, our text was fulfilled in them all. This has governed all nations of history, certainly the United States of America. In our case, elections are won by whoever can most succeed in the "get-out-and-vote" campaigns. Historically, American "born-againers" are mostly stay home, hand-raising talkers, while anti-Christ forces work tirelessly, and spend more money than those who claim to believe in superior moral principles. The sad reality of America has not changed for me: The Followers of Jesus could be running this country if only we would want it more "badly" than others.
There is a real sense in today's text that the earth belongs to whomever, the Arab/Islamists, communists, National Socialists, Russia, England, America. Historically, "the children of men," have ruled, taken over nations and established empires by force of arms, battles, wars. Yet our Lord Jesus says that, "the gates of Hell," would not be able to resist the Church (Modern day Romania is a good example of this). You probably know by now that I translate, "Go and make disciples of all the nations," as, "Go and take over, 'all the nations.'" Inclusive in the commands of our Lord Jesus Christ is the enablement, the empowering to do what He commands; this is the provision of Pentecost. Jesus never commanded that which we are not able to obey. The only variable is, "How badly do you want it?" I have been renewed by today's text.
Father, in Jesus' Name, please forgive me of any passivity. Amen.
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* I will be participating in three pray gatherings over the next couple of weeks. Any prayers appreciated.
* Berlin/Wittenberg Mission, October 28-November 15 The first question which came to me when I read our text yesterday morning was, "How badly do you want it?" The NIV says, "The highest heavens belong to the Lord, but the earth He has given to mankind." Notice that our text does not mention any particular people group or "religious affiliation," just, "the children of men," or, "mankind."
Lest some think I am pulling an idea out of context of the whole of Scripture, I remind you of Genesis 11. Mankind, "....had one language and one speech." You will remember that they then determined to, "....make a name for ourselves...." Yes, as He has done all throughout history, "But the Lord came down to see...(what) the sons of men had built." He then affirmed the "theology" of our text. "And the Lord said, 'indeed the people are one and they all have one language, and this is what they begin to do; now nothing that they propose to do will be withheld from them.'" But, as the Great "Banks of the river" of history, Jesus frustrated their plans. Father, Son, Holy Spirit said, "Come, let Us go down and there confuse...." I pray this regularly for all who oppose the reign of Jesus Christ and the Principles of His "Law/Word" throughout the Earth.
History has proven that every empire, government, revolution was won by those who wanted it most. I can think of no exceptions, Lenin, Hitler, Muhammad, the Romans, Alexander, and so on. They all started out small, but with sheer will and determination, and wanting "it" more badly than others, our text was fulfilled in them all. This has governed all nations of history, certainly the United States of America. In our case, elections are won by whoever can most succeed in the "get-out-and-vote" campaigns. Historically, American "born-againers" are mostly stay home, hand-raising talkers, while anti-Christ forces work tirelessly, and spend more money than those who claim to believe in superior moral principles. The sad reality of America has not changed for me: The Followers of Jesus could be running this country if only we would want it more "badly" than others.
There is a real sense in today's text that the earth belongs to whomever, the Arab/Islamists, communists, National Socialists, Russia, England, America. Historically, "the children of men," have ruled, taken over nations and established empires by force of arms, battles, wars. Yet our Lord Jesus says that, "the gates of Hell," would not be able to resist the Church (Modern day Romania is a good example of this). You probably know by now that I translate, "Go and make disciples of all the nations," as, "Go and take over, 'all the nations.'" Inclusive in the commands of our Lord Jesus Christ is the enablement, the empowering to do what He commands; this is the provision of Pentecost. Jesus never commanded that which we are not able to obey. The only variable is, "How badly do you want it?" I have been renewed by today's text.
Father, in Jesus' Name, please forgive me of any passivity. Amen.
*************************
* I will be participating in three pray gatherings over the next couple of weeks. Any prayers appreciated.
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.'"
Hebrews 12:2
Hebrews 12:2
