Leviticus 12-13
*Psalm 10
*Matthew 24
Does anyone remember the “cold war”? It was a time in our history where we publicly acknowledged that even though we weren’t “weapons hot” in direct combat with an opponent, we were still actually fighting in a secret war. The term was a little misleading because while there was all sorts of nefarious activity going on, it was mostly kept out of the public eye, or fought in other places. The exact number of men who died during the Cold War is not definitively known, as the conflict was primarily geopolitical and indirect, involving proxy wars, political repression, and nuclear threats rather than direct large-scale battles … However, estimates of total deaths linked to Cold War-related conflicts range from (according to a Quora analysis) 10.8 million to 25 million. Stop for a moment and think about that.
We are similarly involved in a spiritual “cold war” right now. People are dying as you read this, because most of us are too scared to acknowledge that it is going on, and those who understand that it’s going on are too scared to get directly involved. Fear is one of the greatest tools used by our enemy(ies) to keep us in line, and from becoming a threat. We’ve been divided into different “denominations”, and told that we should only socialize with folks who think exactly like we do, because we (insert your denomination here) are the only ones who have rightly understood scripture and everyone else is wrong, and therefore, the enemy. Even though we are told repeatedly in scripture that our standard of measure is our love and unity, not necessarily agreement mind you, but love and unity. We never even stop to think about the hard, cold fact that the first tactic in almost any military incursion is to isolate, misinform, divide, and conquer.
Our reading today of Psalms 10 lets us know that this isn’t a new problem. This has been going on since just after the creation, but if you pay attention, you can see that it’s ramping up now. Our reading of Matthew 24 gives us an idea of what more is coming, and how it all ends. Whenever my wife sees something on the news that is shocking and appalling, and gasps “Can you believe that?” to me, I always respond by saying “It’s going to get worse before it gets better.”. We know that when our King returns, it will get better…but it’s going to be tough until then.
“Why do You stand afar off, O Yahweh?…” (Ps 10:1, LSB). Sometimes it seems that way, but know that He does not. That is a deception by the enemy. If you are alive, right now, it is because the breath of your God is in your lungs. He is with you, and beside you, all around you, and within you. God tells us directly (through Jesus) that the tares must be allowed to grow alongside the wheat (Matt 13:24-30), and also that it is through many trials and tribulations that we must enter the kingdom of God (Acts 14:22). We’re at war, did you expect a cake walk? Toughen up, soldier. We have a mission.
“For the wicked boasts…and the greedy man curses and spurns Yahweh. The wicked…does not seek Him. All his thoughts are ‘There is no God.‘” (Ps 10 3-4, LSB). It becomes easier to do what you know is wrong if you deny the fact that there is a Creator, and that this Creator will one day bring forth His justice, His salvation…His Yeshua (seriously, look it up. The name Yeshua, or “Jesus”, means the “Salvation of God”). Many people turn to alcohol or drugs to help them forget this, even if it only works for a little while, and then you need more. Foolishness. God will judge the earth, so every action you take in your lifetime should be to offer a good accounting of yourself during that judgment, if you are wise. We will be judged by our fruits, we need to get to planting.
“He sits in the places…where one lies in wait; In the hiding places he kills the innocent; His eyes stealthily watch for the unfortunate. He lies in wait…to catch the afflicted…and the unfortunate fall by his mighty ones. He says in his heart, “God has forgotten; He has hidden His face; He will never see it.” (Ps 10:9-11, LSB). Folks, this is still going on right now. I knew some of those guys. They’re bad guys. 1 Peter 5:8 depicts the devil as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. Whether or not you believe in a personal Adversary, understand that there are bands of men doing this right now for a livelihood, in your town. Stay alert, and live a righteous life. Shema! If you succumb to your vices, they will consume you.
“O Yahweh, You have heard the desire of the humble; You will strengthen their heart, You will cause Your ear to give heed. To give justice to the orphan and the oppressed, so that man who is of the earth will no longer cause terror” (Ps 10:17-18 LSB). If you have read and believe in the scriptures, you know how this story will end. No matter how bad it looks right now, we know that we have a hope. We await the salvation of God, His Yeshua, to come and judge this earth in righteousness and equity, to “break the arm of the wicked (Ps 10:15) and to seek out his wickedness until none is found”.
“Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated…and at that time many will fall away and will betray one another and hate one another. Many false prophets will arise and will deceive man. And because lawlessness is multiplied, most peoples love will grow cold.” (Matt 24 9-12, LSB). God have mercy, it’s going to get worse. If we are hating each other, or betraying each other, or our love grows cold…we will have lost the battle, and we will die forever. Guard your heart above all else, because when your love grows cold, so will your life, and your hope for a life in the kingdom. Do all that is within your power to prevent this, seek ye first the kingdom of God, love Yahweh God with all your heart, and love your neighbor as yourself. Don’t you see that your enemy is trying to kill you right now? Wake up, and FIGHT!
We have some specific signs and indications that tell us of the coming of the Son of Man in Matthew 24:29-31. There is a reason that at this time “the tribes of the earth will mourn” (Matt 24:30), because the time has come, there is a God, and the judgment of the wicked has come upon them. No man knows the time or the hour (not even Jesus at the time), but only the Father (Matt 24:36); but we see in the parable of the fig tree in Matt 24: 32-39 that when we see these things, we should understand that the time near.
My friends, look around you. The time is near. Now is not the time for distractions and diversions, but for a redoubling of focus and effort. Our king is returning, and soon! Do not think proudly that you have already attained admittance into the kingdom, but humble yourself before God, ask God for wisdom, pray, fast, read scripture, do all that you can do to restore and renew your relationship with your God. If you do, who knows? Seek Yahweh, all you humble of the earth who have worked His justice, Seek righteousness, Seek humility. Perhaps you will be hidden in the day of Yahweh’s anger (Zeph 2:3, LSB).
REFLECTION QUESTIONS
- As Christians, how can we fight in this war?
- What are some of our offensive weapons?
- What are some of our defensive weapons?
- Are we utilizing them effectively, and why or why not?
PRAYER
Father God, thank you. You have given us life, breath, and all things. Our enemy seeks to destroy us, Father protect us. Lord God, may your will be done in my life. When you return to judge the earth, have mercy on me on that day, and let me humbly seek to please you until I go to rest in the ground to await You. Please grant me wisdom, and grant me Your spirit to guide me and protect me. May the lips of all of Your creation offer you up the praise that you deserve, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Seek Grow Love 