~In Gods Hands~
....I have been in a state of wonder since
the attacks on the World Trade Centers and the Pentagon.
I have not really felt any of what the world seems to
call normal reactions to this situation, normal meaning
feelings of revenge. I do however feel a deep sympathy
for the families and loved ones of those who lost their
lives.
...There
seems to be an air of retaliation and revenge that is
being called Justice. But I have been questioning,
"What would God want us to do?" I don't claim
to have the answers but here are some of the scriptures
that have been in my Spirit based upon the word of God.
First of all when it comes to
revenge
Romans 12:19 says
Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give
place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I
will repay, saith the Lord.
In Matthew
5 Jesus instructs us to turn the other
cheek;
38 Ye have heard that it hath
been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:
39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not
evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek,
turn to him the other also.
and to love, to bless, to do good
to, and to pray for them.
43 Ye have heard that it hath been
said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine
enemy.
44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies,
bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you,
and pray for them which despitefully use you, and
persecute you;
45 That ye may be the children of your
Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise
on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just
and on the unjust.
I ask myself these questions.
Based on these scriptures alone, Would it be just for us
to seek revenge?
What is there to gain by the loss of more innocent lives?
A war it is, no doubt, but what kind of war?
And what are the most powerful weapons we have to fight
it with?
We must also learn to recognize
who the real enemy is and what we are fighting against.
Ephesians 6:12 says
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against
principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the
darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in
high places.
2 Corinthians 10
3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after
the flesh:
4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but
mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that
exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and
bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of
Christ;
6 And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience,
when your obedience is fulfilled.
The above scripures tell us that
our weapons are not carnal, the King James
Dictionarydescribes Carnal
as being Of the flesh; denoting human
nature.
It seems that it is in human
nature to want to to want to fight back with carnal
weapons but that the real weapons are are mighty
through God to the pulling down of strongholds.
What are strongholds? One form
of a stronghold is the way we think.
Then it goes on to say casting
down imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself
against the knowledge of God. Though we cant always
understand Gods way we must be careful not to try to use
our own knowledge to try and fight this war.
It says to bring every thought
into captivity to the obedience of Christ. Thus we should
be obedient to what he has instructed us to do.
Verse 6 says to have a readiness
to revenge disobedience (disobedience in this case
being the attack on America). And how do we revenge it?
With more disobedience? No! The scripture says by
fullfilling your obedience.
I feel that this obedience is in
part doing what he has instructed us to do in Romans 12:19 and Matthew chapter
5.
But God has given us weapons to
fight this battle.
Ephesians 6
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in
the power of his might.
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to
stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but
against principalities, against powers, against the
rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual
wickedness in high places.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that
ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having
done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with
truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel
of peace;
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye
shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the
wicked.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the
Spirit, which is the word of God:
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the
Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and
supplication for all saints;
I admonish you to standfast in
love for your fellow man, in faith in God and to
Pray...Pray...Pray
|
