“And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it, Saying,
If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes. For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass the round, and keep thee in on every side. And shall lay the even with the ground, and thy children with thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of visitation.” Luke 19 v41-44 AKJV
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As the Lord leads do we follow? Jesus was looking at the city in which he was about to be welcomed as a king, and then sentenced in the eyes of men for no wrong doing. His words even then reflected the idea that men of the world were failing to understand what brings true peace. He knew the world would bring havoc when his people fail to recognize God.
There is a huge difference in the peace of this world and the peace of God. This world offers a false peace only for a short time until it can turn on individuals and nations. Gods way is a different way.
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“The house of the wicked shall be overthrown: but the tabernacle of the upright shall flourish. There is a way which seemeth right unto man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. Even in laughter the heart is sorrow-full; and the end of that mirth is heaviness. The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: and a good man shall be satisfied from himself.
The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going. A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident. He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly: and a man of wicked devices is hated. The simple inherit folly: but the prudent are crowned with knowledge. The evil bow before the good; and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.
The poor is hated even of his own neighbor: but the rich hath many friends. He that despiseth his neighbor sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he. Do they not err that devise evil? but mercy and truth shall be to them that devise good. In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury. The crown of the wise is their riches: but the foolishness of fools is folly. A true witness delivereth souls: but a deceitful witness speaketh lies. In the fear of the Lord is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge. The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death. In the multitude of people is the king’s honour: but in the want of people is the destruction of the prince. He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly. A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rotteness of the bones. He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor. The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous hath hope in his death. Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding: but that which is in the midst of fools is made known.
Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.” Proverb 14 v11-34 AkJV
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“For in thee, O Lord, do I hope: thou wilt hear, O Lord my God. For I said, Hear me, lest otherwise they should rejoice over me: when my foot slipeth, they magnify themselves against me. For I ready to halt, and my sorrow is continually before me. For I will declare mine iniquity: I will be sorry for my sin.
But mine enemies are lively, and they are strong: and they that hate me wrongfully are multiplied. They also that render evil for good are mine adversaries; because I follow the thing that good is. Forsake me not, O Lord: O my God, be not far from me. Make haste to help me, O Lord my salvation.” Psalm 38 v15-22 AKJV
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I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me. I was dumb with silence, I held my peace, even from good; and my sorrow was stirred.
My heart was hot within me, while I was musing the fire burned: then I spake with my tongue, Lord, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am.
Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreath; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah.
Surely every man walketh in a vain shew: surely they are disquieted in vain: he heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them.” Psalm 39 v1-6 AKJV
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“And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee. Deliver me from all my transgressions: make me not the reproach of the foolish. I was dumb, I opened not my mouth; because thou didst it. Remove thy stroke away from me: I am consumed by the blow of thine hand. When thou with rebukes dost correct man for iniquity, thou makest his beauty to consume away like a moth: surely every man is vanity.
Hear my prayer, O Lord, and give ear unto my cry; hold not thy peace at my tears: for I am a stranger with thee, and a sojourner, as all my fathers were. O spare me, that I may recover strength, before I go hence, and be no more.” Psalm 39 v7-13 AKJV
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“I Waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.” Psalm 40 v1 AKJV
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-of his government and peace there shall be no end TBLJ 75, wait on the Lord TBLJ 74 things impossible with men are possible with God TBLJ 73 deliver us from evil TBLJ 72 endure to the end TBLJ 71 abomination of desolation TBLJ 70
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The hard things of this world will pass. God is good, his mercy endures forever. We give thanks to you Lord, for this past week, and this day, as you shape us for things to come. Amen
March 17
Threecrosses 