Today's Reading:
- Matthew 2:13-3:6
- Psalm 2:1-12
Matthew 2:13-3:6
Herod was told that the Messiah had been born and was immediately angry and afraid. In verse 2:16 we learned that Herod had all the baby boys in and around Bethlehem murdered, but Joseph had already been warned in a dream and fled with his family. The act of ordering the murder of children alone is an unspeakable offense to me, but what makes it worse is the idea Herod really thought he could just kill the Messiah. That somehow Herod could give one order, and just wipe out the fulfillment of the God-given prophecy. I guess to me the idea is ludicrous, for I know God's power is above all, but so many people think that if they don't believe it, then it doesn't apply to them. Or they want the proof, but refuse to open their hearts to feel the proof for themselves.
My bible contains a small excerpt on "Herod the Great." He was a brutal, ruthless tyrant. He even murdered two of his wives and three of his own sons when he thought they were plotting against him.
It's easier to deal with the fact that a tyrant like Herod or Hitler never knew salvation, but what of friends? Friends who are really good people, but they just refuse to believe? Family you love, yet whom you fear will never turn to know God? We think of these tyrants and perhaps we feel justified that they will not have eternal salvation, but the fate of the regular -- and perhaps otherwise good person -- who just never found salvation carries the same eternal sentence. It's tough to think about, isn't it?
My bible contains a small excerpt on "Herod the Great." He was a brutal, ruthless tyrant. He even murdered two of his wives and three of his own sons when he thought they were plotting against him.
It's easier to deal with the fact that a tyrant like Herod or Hitler never knew salvation, but what of friends? Friends who are really good people, but they just refuse to believe? Family you love, yet whom you fear will never turn to know God? We think of these tyrants and perhaps we feel justified that they will not have eternal salvation, but the fate of the regular -- and perhaps otherwise good person -- who just never found salvation carries the same eternal sentence. It's tough to think about, isn't it?
Psalm 2:1-12
Psalm 2 tells us that the nations who submit to God will experience joy, while those who attempt to break free of the chains of slavery to God (2:3) will be smashed like clay pots (2:9). The state of our nation really scares me at times. I take pride in the fact that we are "One Nation Under God." But how long will that last? It surely doesn't feel like we are living in One Nation Under God any longer.
In many schools, the Pledge of Allegiance is banned for that sentence alone. Lawsuits are filed over publicly displayed nativity scenes. Stuff like that makes me more angry than anything else -- okay, so you're Atheist and you want to a non-denominational holiday to celebrate? Fine, celebrate your X-Mas. But don't take away our holiday in your fight just because you don't want to be reminded that CHRISTmas was founded as a Christian holiday. I can co-exist with you, can't you co-exist with me?
Where is the Christian's right in all of this? You have every given right not to believe in the Lord, and I don't protest when I see your non-denominational mickey mouse santa claus. Why is it that the Christian has fewer rights than the non-Christian? When did it become such an inconvenience for you to have to drive past a nativity scene? How does that infringe on your rights?
The state of our nation scares me, and this will probably be a topic you will hear an awful lot about if you continually read this blog. We have been a strong nation as we were founded UNDER GOD. But take that away, and there goes our foundation, and with that comes the wrath of God and the end of our prosperity.
Conclusion
It seems the readings today have left me quite bitter! Not at God, of course, but at all those who shrug away from God, all of those who think that they can best God, all of those who want to tear away our beliefs just because the very idea that there is a God infuriates them. Compared to many times throughout history, throughout many countries; even today throughout the world -- the Christians of America have it quite good and easy. I will try to remember this in the future when complaining about minor annoyances such as nativity scenes. At least no one is ordering the life of my son or outlawing Christianity from the United States.
Psalm 2 tells us that the nations who submit to God will experience joy, while those who attempt to break free of the chains of slavery to God (2:3) will be smashed like clay pots (2:9). The state of our nation really scares me at times. I take pride in the fact that we are "One Nation Under God." But how long will that last? It surely doesn't feel like we are living in One Nation Under God any longer.
In many schools, the Pledge of Allegiance is banned for that sentence alone. Lawsuits are filed over publicly displayed nativity scenes. Stuff like that makes me more angry than anything else -- okay, so you're Atheist and you want to a non-denominational holiday to celebrate? Fine, celebrate your X-Mas. But don't take away our holiday in your fight just because you don't want to be reminded that CHRISTmas was founded as a Christian holiday. I can co-exist with you, can't you co-exist with me?
Where is the Christian's right in all of this? You have every given right not to believe in the Lord, and I don't protest when I see your non-denominational mickey mouse santa claus. Why is it that the Christian has fewer rights than the non-Christian? When did it become such an inconvenience for you to have to drive past a nativity scene? How does that infringe on your rights?
The state of our nation scares me, and this will probably be a topic you will hear an awful lot about if you continually read this blog. We have been a strong nation as we were founded UNDER GOD. But take that away, and there goes our foundation, and with that comes the wrath of God and the end of our prosperity.
Conclusion
It seems the readings today have left me quite bitter! Not at God, of course, but at all those who shrug away from God, all of those who think that they can best God, all of those who want to tear away our beliefs just because the very idea that there is a God infuriates them. Compared to many times throughout history, throughout many countries; even today throughout the world -- the Christians of America have it quite good and easy. I will try to remember this in the future when complaining about minor annoyances such as nativity scenes. At least no one is ordering the life of my son or outlawing Christianity from the United States.
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