God is Neither Dead Nor Asleep!
The Lord has proclaimed to the end of the earth: Say to daughter Zion, “See, your salvation comes.” Isaiah 62:11
My prayers go out to all those who have been affected by the hurricane that did so much damage. Through it all, God continues to be faithful to us. Give thanks and praise! Remember also, Rev. Phyllis Smith-Seymour (Jamaica) and family in prayer on the loss of her mother.
There’s a chorus we used to sing in church meetings many years ago. ‘God is not dead, no, He’s alive!’ It was an affirmation that God was very much involved in the everyday lives of those who trusted in Him. We could feel God in our limbs and in faith knew that God was alive and well. It was also a promise to those who doubted that the day would come when they would behold with their own eyes, the coming of the Lord. Today’s text is a prophetic utterance to a people beginning to doubt the presence of God due to the harshness of their situation. Carted away to Babylon, mistreated and feeling abandoned by God, they were barely holding on to their faith. How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I take counsel in my soul and have sorrow in my heart all the day? How long shall my enemy be exalted over me? Psalm 13:1-2.
My prayers go out to all those who have been affected by the hurricane that did so much damage. Through it all, God continues to be faithful to us. Give thanks and praise! Remember also, Rev. Phyllis Smith-Seymour (Jamaica) and family in prayer on the loss of her mother.
There’s a chorus we used to sing in church meetings many years ago. ‘God is not dead, no, He’s alive!’ It was an affirmation that God was very much involved in the everyday lives of those who trusted in Him. We could feel God in our limbs and in faith knew that God was alive and well. It was also a promise to those who doubted that the day would come when they would behold with their own eyes, the coming of the Lord. Today’s text is a prophetic utterance to a people beginning to doubt the presence of God due to the harshness of their situation. Carted away to Babylon, mistreated and feeling abandoned by God, they were barely holding on to their faith. How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I take counsel in my soul and have sorrow in my heart all the day? How long shall my enemy be exalted over me? Psalm 13:1-2.
God however did not leave them, they had not been abandoned. God sent his word to them that their freedom was near. Their neighbors all about them, and to the end of the world, would know that God had pleaded IsraelÂ’s cause. The message to them is clearly one of redemption. Their salvation was coming, that is, the Savior who brings salvation, was coming. God was neither dead nor asleep.
Two Sundays ago churches all over the world were asked to pray for the persecuted church. There are areas of the world where Christians face danger every day just for being children of God. We were to pray for Christians in North Korea, a country where Christianity is outlawed and people are taught to worship the emperor. Also for Christians in Syria, Egypt, Iraq, Iran, Vietnam, Indonesia, parts of Colombia, Cuba, Nepal, South Sudan, Pakistan, Nigeria, China, and many other parts of Africa and Asia. There is much suffering among our brothers and sisters in these countries. Many are being killed or maimed for their faith in God. Like Israel in captivity, the word of God is also for these brothers and sisters. As the saints around the throne in Revelation 6: 10 raise "O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you judge the people who belong to this world and avenge our blood for what they have done to us?", our text responds, ‘see, your salvation comes!’ Indeed, night will turn into day, mourning into laughter, and pain into joy. God is neither dead nor asleep.
Friends, let us forget about ourselves this week and remember those who are still facing persecution for their faith. Let us lift up these brothers and sisters who may be losing hope. Let us pray that they may be sent the message of our text that it will come to an end soon. God has not forgotten them and is even now on the move to lift them out of their persecution. Then those who persecute them will know that God is neither dead nor asleep.
As you pray for the persecuted church, be assured that someone somewhere is praying for your safety, restoration and provision. You too will be covered especially if you too need the reminder that God is not dead, no, HeÂ’s alive.
Till next Tuesday, be blessed!
Two Sundays ago churches all over the world were asked to pray for the persecuted church. There are areas of the world where Christians face danger every day just for being children of God. We were to pray for Christians in North Korea, a country where Christianity is outlawed and people are taught to worship the emperor. Also for Christians in Syria, Egypt, Iraq, Iran, Vietnam, Indonesia, parts of Colombia, Cuba, Nepal, South Sudan, Pakistan, Nigeria, China, and many other parts of Africa and Asia. There is much suffering among our brothers and sisters in these countries. Many are being killed or maimed for their faith in God. Like Israel in captivity, the word of God is also for these brothers and sisters. As the saints around the throne in Revelation 6: 10 raise "O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you judge the people who belong to this world and avenge our blood for what they have done to us?", our text responds, ‘see, your salvation comes!’ Indeed, night will turn into day, mourning into laughter, and pain into joy. God is neither dead nor asleep.
Friends, let us forget about ourselves this week and remember those who are still facing persecution for their faith. Let us lift up these brothers and sisters who may be losing hope. Let us pray that they may be sent the message of our text that it will come to an end soon. God has not forgotten them and is even now on the move to lift them out of their persecution. Then those who persecute them will know that God is neither dead nor asleep.
As you pray for the persecuted church, be assured that someone somewhere is praying for your safety, restoration and provision. You too will be covered especially if you too need the reminder that God is not dead, no, HeÂ’s alive.
Till next Tuesday, be blessed!
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