Lesson of the Recabites

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH AND NATION:

Remain steadfast and devoted to God and his word (Jer 35:12-19). #SteadfastObedience #Judgment #Recabites #Devoted

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

Jeremiah chapter 35 draws a contrast between the Recabites and Judah. For 300 years this Israelite tribe firmly stood by their ancestor, Johanadab’s “man-made” command, not to drink wine nor assimilate into the culture of the time; they remained nomads. But Judah could not, would not, remain true to the very words, commands, of God.

The result was Judah would be judged and the Recabites would be blessed with descendants that would serve God. It is God‘s desire that his people live in obedience and steadfast devotion to him. Lord, may my life honor you by steadfast devotion and obedience to you.

Nowhere to Run or Hide

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH AND NATION:

Be warned and alert, God will judge sin (Jer 25:34-38). #NowhereToRunNowhereToHide #God’sJudgmentIsCertain #TurnNowToGod

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

Jeremiah continues the metaphor of a lion attacking the shepherd’s flocks. The shepherds (leaders of godless nations) look on helplessly. They are left weeping, broken, for their loss of power, wealth, and prestige. Their peaceful pasture lands (source of power and wealth) are laid waste by God‘s judgment. Their fortunes and lives are decimated (Luke 12:18–20 comes to mind). Their resources provide no means of escape.

The lion of Judah has left his den and is stalking and devouring those who stand against him. God‘s fierce anger will not be denied. The nations shepherds are powerless before Jehovah God. Lord, this sentry is awake and alert; no godless nation, leader, people or individual will escape God’s anger and judgment of sin. America, are you taking notes?

Cup of Wrath

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH AND NATION:

May you never abandon God (Jer 25:15–29). #TurnNowToGod #Repent

The imagery of the cup of God, filled and running over the brim, speaks of the wrath of God. All the known nations of Jeremiah‘s time (all named here) will be made to drink of this cup. They would be falling down as a drunken sot, and throwing up. That is, they would be fully overcome by God‘s judgment, as did occur at the hands of Babylon.

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

Judgment here begins with Judah. It ends with judgment on Babylon. She would be left in the ashes of history. God states in verse 29, “If I punish Jerusalem, the city that bears my name, shall I let go unpunished the sin, corruption, and perversion of every other nation?” NO! None will escape God’s judgment. AMERICA TODAY NEEDS REVIVAL AND AWAKENING. Lord, when we abandon you and refuse to return to you, we may surely know your abandonment of us (Pro 1:24-33; Dan9:5,6; Rom 1:28,29; 1Th 5:19-22).

70 Year Exile: Significance (Prt 3of3)

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH AND NATION:

Put your hope in the reliability of God‘s word (Jer 25:11–14). #WakeUpAmerica #God’sWordIsTrue #TrustGodToJudgeSin

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

One last point can be made on the significance of Israel’s 70 year exile: Babylon is on the clock for destruction. God says he will punish Babylon for her sin, godless cruelty, moral perversion and lawlessness. Babylon will be no more, gone forever as a nation. The prophecies of her destruction are written by Jeremiah in chapters 50 and 51.

Babylon will become the slave to the many nations they conquered and enslaved. She will be punished in proportion to the suffering she perpetrated on others. Seventy years later, in 537 BC under King Cyrus, the Persians conquered Babylon (see Daniel 5:22-31). Babylon would never be heard from again. God’s judgments are reliable, thorough and on-time.

Will God deal with godless nations? Absolutely! Should America be concerned? Absolutely! Lord, I may put my complete hope in the truth and reliability of your word.

Prophet Minstrel: An Ode (v.3)

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH AND NATION:

Put your hope in the coming glory of Christ (Hab 2:12-14). #HopeInChtist #TheComingKingdom #ChristTheKing

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

The prophet sings his song of taunts: a woeful dirge, v.3. Babylonian plunder, pride and perversity stand as witness against her. Murder, bloodshed, and oppression built her cities. Yet they will soon be a pile of ashes at the hands of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. Here the dirge offers signs of hope for the terrorized.

Babylon’s tiny piece of history will dissolve quickly in a sea of God‘s glory that will one day, conquer the nations and cover the earth (Psm 72:19; Isa 11:9). No nation who exists by tyranny, oppression, and bloodshed will be left standing in the coming age of Christ (Mat 24:30,31; 2Th 1:7–10; Rev 19:19–21). ”The Lord is in his holy Temple. Let all the earth be silent before him” (2:20).
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Lord, the old sentry’s hope is lifted by the promise of God’s coming kingdom and his glory that will cover the earth.

Rapacious Evil

May America turn from her godless path and may righteous faith prevail (Hab 2:4,5). #TheJustLiveByFaith #RapaciousEvil #TurnNowToGod #Repent

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

Habakkuk sits pensively with his spiritual ears open to hear how God will answer his questions (1:2–4). The silence is deafening. Then, into the silence, God begins his woeful dirge of condemnation for Babylon. Her rapacity will not go unpunished; judgment will come.

Babylon (even America) is a nation become arrogant, swollen and puffed up like an old toad. Her passions are only for rapacious evil and unrighteousness. She makes a mockery of all that is morally good. She is a godless, corrupt and perverse nation. She is a drunken nation state with an insatiable appetite to enslave all people to government. Judgment is certain. It is already crouching at the door.

In stark contrast stands God’s righteous ones. “The righteous will live [know abundant life] by their steadfast faith [in Jehovah God].” These words sparkle like a jewel shinning through the darkness from deep within an earthen cavern. These words have given hope to God’s righteous ones through the ions of time, from Habakkuk to the Apostle Paul to Martin Luther and beyond.*

Lord, may a righteous faith prevail from deep within my soul; from deep within the soul of America. .

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* The Faith of the Righteous

Rom 1:17

Gal 3:11

Heb 10:38

It Will Come!

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH AND NATION:

Patiently wait on the trustworthy judgments of God (Hab 2:2,3). #JudgmentWillCome #TrustworthyJudgment

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

God speaks to the watchman in the watchtower. He holds nothing back. “Write it down plainly Habakkuk, so that the messenger and the message is clearly understood by those who listen.” God is not like dumb idols crafted by men, who cannot speak – he hears and he answers (v18).

God assures the prophet that the vision of the future will surely come, be fully fulfilled. Though it may seem slow in coming, patiently wait for it. Sin will not go unpunished. The storm clouds of judgment are gathering and will rain down at the appointed time. Lord, waiting while sin and evil abound is hard. But we shall soon see the glory of God‘s righteous judgment. IT WILL COME!!

Did God Exalt Evil?

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH AND NATION:

May we turn daily and acknowledge God, our gracious Sovereign (Hab 1:6) #AcknowledgeGodAsSovereign #GodExaltsNations #GodAbandonsNations #RighteousnessExaltsANation #SinDestroysANation

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

So what is so “astounding“ about God‘s vision to Habakkuk? Well, God says, incredibly, that he has raised up a nation of cruel and violent people. EVIL: did God make this nation cruel and violent? NO! He elevated this nation on the world stage (Job 12:23). Men are cruel, violent and evil because of the lust and greed in their own fallen hearts (John 3:18-20).

This nation, Babylon (also a key metaphor of evil throughout much of Bible prophecy – Dan 2:36-39; Rev 18:2,3) and its king, did not acknowledge God as its source of strength. They attributed their wealth, might and power to their own strength and ability. Instead of blessing the world, they became a curse to the world. Ultimately God would cast them off as well.

[William Grunall states in his classic, The Christian In Complete Armour, “Sometimes [God] allows an opposing force to arise, so that at precisely the right moment he can raise up a more magnificent pillar of remembrance to himself. This pillar will stand in the very ruins of that which contested [God’s] power. Thus, when he intervenes, all must say, “Almighty Power was here“ Pg.46]

It is foolish to ignore and disrespect a gracious God, who exalts men and nations. Lord, may I (may America) daily acknowledge you as my (and our) Sovereign.

Extraordinary Evil; Extraordinary Judgment

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH AND NATION:

Pray expecting the unexpected from God in his judgment of evil (Hab 1:5). #ExpectTheUnexpected #PrepareToBeAstounded

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

God has stirred up the heart of the prophet toward the evil God sees. The prophet has asked the right questions of God (vv2–4) and he is a ready recorder of God‘s answers. God says, “Hold onto your Ram’s horn Habakkuk (my translation). You are not going to believe what I am doing, even now as you speak with me. You will be astounded.”

Extraordinary evil requires extraordinary acts of God. Do we see extraordinary acts of evil in our day? Is God still sovereign? Strap on your seatbelt. God is still in the business of extraordinary acts. His acts in judgment are certainly already in progress. Judgment on the nations (on America) will look nothing like we might expect. Instead, we may be astounded at what God does and how he does it.

Lord, the heart of this old sentry pounds in expectation for the unexpected in our day, something no one could have conceived of happening.

Evil: Prompts For Prayer

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH AND NATION:

May evil find judgment at the hand of God (Hab 1:1–4). #Revival #Prayer #Awakening #America #GlobalAwakening #Repentance

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

What Habakkuk sees in the vision he received from God is the state of society in his day. He sees what others might see even in our day. They are Prompts to PRAY!. “Violence is everywhere I look. It goes on and on, unchecked. PRAY! The evil running rampant in our streets creates havoc and misery for its victims. PRAY! People argue and fight at the least provocation. PRAY!

Where is the law? Nowhere. It is paralyzed. PRAY! There is no justice in corrupt courtrooms. PRAY! The wicked outnumber the righteous and justice is perverted. PRAY!” So, we too ask, “Lord, how long must we cry out for help; when will justice fall?” Lord, the press of evil begs the urgent prayer of this sentry on the wall; that God might judge the wicked and spare the righteous. PRAY!

God Quiet? Ask Why!

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH AND NATION:

May you never fear to ask God honest questions (Hab 1:1–4). #AskGod #HonestQuestionsHonestAnswers

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

Here we have the prophet Habakkuk (his name may mean “embracer” or “embraced“ (literally it means to hold in one’s hands). Was Habakkuk the “embracer” of the people to comfort them, or to be an “embracer” of the problem of divine justice in a wicked world? Or was he the “embraced” one who God had chosen as his messenger?

Either way, Habakkuk was God‘s prophet and his message stands as unique among the prophets. His writings are more the record of a dialogue between him and his Creator God. His primary question, as ours is today, why does such evil persist in our world without any consequences?* These first four verses could be internet headlines today. Lord, if I am honest, I must admit that I too wonder just how long before you set this crooked old world straight again?

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* The Bible Knowledge Commentary on Habakkuk, Pgs 1505-1507.

“Cancel Culture”, 600 B.C. – Alive & Well

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH AND NATION:

Be discerning of the voices around you (Jer 26:20-24). #CoolHeadsPrevail #BeDiscerning #StillSmallVoiceOfGod

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

In contradistinction to king Hezekiah, who led the people to repent at the words of Micah, the prophet (vv18,19), Jehoiakim killed Uriah the prophet for delivering a similar message as Jeremiah to Judah. (Hezekiah was Jehoiakim‘s great great grandfather). “Cancel Culture“ – alive and well in 600 BC. Jehoiakim tracked Uriah down in Egypt, brought him back to Judah, and executed this prophet of God.

Finally, in the case against Jeremiah, Ahikam, who served under godly king Josiah (2Ki 22:12-14) sided with the elder wiser men in the room (v17). The court acquitted Jeremiah. One innocent, prophet killing was one too many (v15). Lord, I cannot always rely on the loudest voices in the room and must listen for the still small voice of God.*

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* See a similar event when hot headed priests planned to kill Peter. A wise and elder Pharisee shed wisdom on their deliberations.

Time’s Running Out

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH AND NATION:

Move with haste to repentance, while there is still time (Jer 21:1–7). #Repent #TurnNowToGod #ChooseLife #TimeIsRunningOut

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

[For whatever reason Chs 21 & 22 are out of sequence. These chapters contain prophecies of the last four kings of Judah. I insert them as a matter of cohesive devotional understanding. This is not a critical analysis, but the best of my understanding in my study]

The days of Josiah have passed. Judah was on a path of destruction as predicted by Huldah the prophetess (2Ki 22:18–20; 2Ch 34:26–28). King Zedekiah shows no sign of repentance but “begs“ Jeremiah to speak with the Lord, that he might deliver Judah from the Babylonians. The following is what God said through Jeremiah.

“Your weapons will be useless against Babylon. I myself [God] will fight against you. I will send plagues. I will hand King Zedekiah over to Babylon. They will show no mercy, pity or compassion”. If God is for us who can stand against us? But if God is against us who can stand before him? Lord, my indifference to sin will only lead to God’s hand of discipline.

More to follow.

Semblance V. Substance

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH AND NATION:

May we be people of deep faith and substance (2Ki 23:34-37; Jer 22:13–17). #SubtanceOverSemblance #PursueFaithAndSubstsnce

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

[For whatever reason Jeremiah Chs 21 & 22 are out of sequence. These chapters contain prophecies of the last four kings of Judah. I insert them as a matter of cohesive devotional understanding. This is not a critical analysis, but the best of my understanding in my study]

A second of King Josiah‘s sons was made a puppet vassal-king by Pharaoh Neco. His name was changed to Jehoiakim. He reigned 11 years. He heavily taxed the Hebrew people to pay the tribute demanded by Neco. He was an unjust, greedy, dishonest and ruthless man (Jer 22:13–17). He had Uriah the prophet killed (Jer 26:20-23). He was nothing like his father, Josiah. [You can inherit many things, but you cannot inherit faith and substance]

Jehoiakim indulged himself at the people’s expense. “I will have a magnificent palace,” he said. But Jeremiah said, “A beautiful cedar palace does not make a great king” (Jer 22:15). Semblance: sad substitute for substance (1Sa 16:7). Leadership and authority is not validated in raw power. It is validated in humility of heart (in the home first, then to those with whom one works/serves, finally to the uttermost parts of one’s reach). Lord, may this old sentry always strive for deep faith and substance.

Resolute For God

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH AND NATION:

May our hearts be resolute in heart felt obedience to God (1Ki 23:4-24; 2Ch 34:33). #ResoluteForGod #StandForRighteousness

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

This passage gives in great detail what 2Ch 34:33 describes in just one verse. King Josiah personally oversaw the desecration of every pagan shrine and altar throughout the land of Judah. Altars and monuments to pagan gods were toppled, burned and destroyed. The bones of wicked priest and people were burned on the places where pagan alters had stood.

One monument stood (v16). It was the tombstone of an unnamed “man of God“* who had prophesied over 300 years prior (1Ki 13:2 and 32) that “Josiah“ (named before his birth) would destroy and desecrate this altar at Bethel (2Ki 23:15-18) – a most remarkable prophecy. Josiah did not give mere lip service to repentance and religious reform. He is honored by God for that. Lord, may my heart, the hearts of my children, be so resolute.

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* Some suggest that this “man of God from Judah” may have been the Prophet Amos; an interesting supposition.

Road to Awakening

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH AND NATION:

May the national leaders in America repent and seek after the heart of God; may we see revival and spiritual awakening (2Ch 34:8-13; 2Ki 22:3-7).

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

On the surface, this passage seems all very administrative and organizational. But what is apparent here is the heart of a 26-year-old king (of Judah). His heart was for God, even in the face of much pagan worship, and idolatry in the land. He is contemporary with Jeremiah, the Prophet of God (there is a compelling connection between national leadership and religious leaders).

Young King Josiah sees the temple of God (symbol of the presence of God in the national life of Israel) in disrepair. What previous kings had allowed to fall into ruin, Josiah restored. Revival was close at hand. Likewise, if the national leaders in America (any country) would repent, seek God’s face and point the people to God, we would be a better nation. America would have a road to awakening.

Lord, I pray that America might experience another spiritual awakening of national proportions.

Speak Truth

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH AND NATION:

May you faithfully serve God whether rejected or not (2Ch 34:8). #GoHardForGod #ShowThemJesus #GodAboveAllOthrrs

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

Jeremiah has undergone serious rejection by the religious leaders and people of Judah for his message of repentance. He will endure more to come. The young king of Judah, Josiah, has been a good king. He, at age 20, took measures to rid Judah of its idle worship and pagan practices (2 Ch 34:3–7).

Now, at age 26, Josiah determines to repair the temple, which had been ignored and left in disrepair from an era of pagan worship. Neither Jeremiah, nor Judah, realized that they were on the brink of a spiritual revival. Who knows the impact Jeremiah may have had on young Josiah. We will never know the impact of our lives on others.

Lord, may my life always reveal the living God.

“Crisis of Belief”

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH AND NATION:

Live victoriously in the tension between two worlds (Jer 20:7–18). #Courage #SpeakTheTruth #BetweenTwoWorlds

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

Jeremiah stands by faith between two extremes. On the one hand, there are the fires of persecution, ridicule and rejection (vv7-10, 14-18). On the other hand, there is the fire of God‘s message of repentance that is ablaze within him (vv11-13). This Jeremiad gives me a glimpse into the inner conflict one may experience doing the work God has called him/her to do.

Even those closest to us may turn against us. Yet, sandwiched between two despairing emotions is the understanding that to serve God faithfully is far better and safer than to ignore his call. It is what Henry Blackaby calls, a Crisis of Belief.* God will ultimately prevail. We live and stand between two worlds. Lord, may I have the faith and courage to live in this tension.

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Facing Off With God

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH AND NATION:

May you not be found standing against God’s message or his Messenger (Jer 20:3–6) #ListenToGod #Repent #TurnToGodNow

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

Pashhur, Jeremiah‘s Temple priest detractor, is singled out here for judgment on two counts. 1) Standing against God‘s prophet, hindering God‘s message to repent, and 2) falsely prophesying himself the reverse of what God‘s prophet was saying – “Ev’thing will be all right.”

God gives Pashhur a new name (Magor-Missabib, Heb. meaning, “fear round about”). He would be what the name implies. He is destined to be a fright to himself and his supporters. Some will die violent deaths. Others will be carried off into exile and there die (all of which came true under the Babylonian invasions (BC 605–586).

Lord, may it be that I would always honor God’s message and his messenger.

Be Not Intimidated

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH AND NATION:

Speak the truth of man’s sin and God’s forgiveness (Jer19:14–20:2). #NoIntimidation #SpeakTheTruth #GospelOfForgiveness

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

Jeremiah returns from the city dump of Jerusalem, where he smashed a clay pot before the temple and city leaders. There he prophesied to them the judgment of Judah for her sin (19:1–13).

Upon Jeremiah’s return, he stops in front of the Temple and prophesies the same message of judgment to the people gathered there. For this the Temple authority removes Jeremiah, has him arrested, whipped and put in stocks as a public spectacle.

There will always be naysayers, those who ignore and/or discredit the truth. It may be passive indifference or it may be hostile. The question is always, “How do I handle the truth?” Lord, mat every duty sentry always state the truth of man’s sin and the gospel of forgiveness, no matter the personal cost. May the sentry also be sensitive to the truth him/herself and respond accordingly.

Monument To Defiance

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH AND NATION:

May we repent quickly of sin and obey God to avert judgment (Jer 19:7–9). #NoToDefiance #HighCostOfDefiance.

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

Jeremiah points his delegation of Israelite leaders to the city dump (vv1,2). He explains God‘s plan to destroy the city (Holy City, Jerusalem).* Dead bodies will lie everywhere as food for the birds and wild animals. The rubble will be a monument to Israel’s defiance of God.

People who pass by will look with horror, appalled. The city will be cut off from its food supply and the people will resort to cannibalism to survive. They are driven to utter despair. This is no capricious act of God. The people had been warned.** Lord, the horror of judgment may be averted by repentance and obedience to God’s word.

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* History reveals the fulfillment of this prophecy: 586 B.C. and 70 A.D.

** Jer 11:1–8; Lev 26:28-30; Deu 28:53–57; 2Ki 6:24-30; Lam 2:20; 4:10

The Coming Storm

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH AND NATION:

May your faces be turned always toward God (Jer 18:16–17). #StormsOfJudgment #RepentTowardsGod #ObserveStormWarnings

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

At this point in Judah’s national life, God vows to desolate the land, just as the people have chosen to desolate their souls. Many will look on in horror. God further vows to scatter his arrogant disobedient people like the dust of a violent dust storm (a common occurrence in Israel).

Because God‘s people have turned their backs on him (2:27), God will turn away his face of favor from them. Now his people will see an amazing thing – they will see God‘s back as they are consumed by the distresses of judgment to come. Will America at some point see God’s back? May she turn in repentance and live. Lord, to ignore you will end in an ultimate demise.

Get Self Out Of The Way

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH AND NATION:

America (even I myself) needs to rid its heart of indifference towards God (Jer 18:12-16). #RepentNow #TurnNowToGod

“You would turn away from God, your provider?

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

God’s people express their resolve to continue in their wicked ways (v12). It makes no sense. God’s people have known his goodness to them, yet they turn their backs on him. Even the godless pagan can see the foolishness of such a response. It is seen as appalling, ghastly, even to them.

The response is in opposition even to the natural world. The snow in the mountains continually flows to the valley below (pictures God’s goodness). Rivers of living water flow from the “Rock,” also pictures God as the source of all goodness. Astonishingly God’s people opt for the waters of another (worthless gods). They cause their own stumbling off the true path that leads to God.

Lord, in light of all your goodness to me (to America) I (we) need to get out of my (our) own way and turn you.

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This old hymn says it well:

Come, thou Fount of every blessing;
tune my heart to sing thy grace;
streams of mercy, never ceasing,
call for songs of loudest praise.

Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,
prone to leave the God I love;
here’s my heart; O take and seal it;
seal it for thy courts above.

Teach me some melodious sonnet,
sung by flaming tongues above;
praise the mount! I’m fixed upon it,
mount of God’s unchanging love!

God: First Priority

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH AND NATION:

Make worship of God your highest priority (Jer 17:19-27). #GodAloneIsWorthyOfOurPraise #LoveGodHeartSoulAndMind #RememberSabbath

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

This may be one of the easiest passages in the prophets to understand and interpret. “Remember to keep Sabbath.“ Go read it – Exodus 20:8-11. The issue was and is, not what day of the week to worship God. The issue was and is, not making time in our hearts to stop and reflect on God‘s goodness.

When we put everything else in our lives ahead of God, we disrespect God. For not listening to God, for disrespecting God, Israel paid a heavy price. Babylon destroyed. Jerusalem and the Israelites spent nearly a century in captivity. They were exhorted to return to the Sabboth worship of God under Nehemiah (Neh 13:15–22). I am reminded of the importance of keeping God the highest priority in my life.

“A Charge To Keep”

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH AND NATION:

Keep your charge to influence all people for Christ (Heb 13:20,21). #AChargeToKeep #GospelOfPeace

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

Here is the benediction which closes the book of Hebrews, “May God‘s peace…“ Our world is in turmoil as never before. Men often despair of hope. Many suffer and tire of wars, rebellion and violence. Ours is a broken world. Nothing will set it straight but “God‘s perfect peace.“

The benediction is a charge to God’s people (that’s us), the purveyors of the message of God’s peace. Jesus, the “Shepherd,“ brings the peace of God to men’s thirsty souls.

Our call is certain. Our marching orders are clear. Our equipping and empowerment is ratified by God to impact our world for good. We please him in the process. All glory to Christ forever.

Lord, may I keep my charge to take the Gospel of Peace to all in my sphere of influence.