Worship

Scripture

Many people don’t know this about me, but I’m a nerd. Not a math nerd mind you, but a fantasy nerd. How much of a fantasy nerd do you ask? Well, I’ve dressed up to go to the Texas Renaissance Festival…more than once. Therefore, of course, I love the Lord of the Rings. It checks all of my boxes and paints a world that parallels Biblical stories in a tangible way. Multiple characters including Frodo, Gandalf, and Aragorn are meant to represent different aspects of Christ. The quest to destroy the ring while fighting against the evil Sauron is a representation of good vs. evil, overcoming temptation, and perseverance through suffering. A beautiful story. Yet, not everything is running through the shire and enjoying a second breakfast.  At one point, the Orcs invade Middle Earth and begin wreaking havoc throughout the land enslaving and killing many of the inhabitants that they come across. They destroy the lands they travel through and pillage any materials that may benefit their cause. A dark time in the shire.

Our reading today parallels this dark time – the invasion of the Babylonians by King Nebuchadnezzar. Nebuchadnezzar invaded Israel, stripped the temple of its material glory, enslaved the majority of Jews, and took them to Babylon. The Jews had been unloyal to the Lord up until this point, and this was the retribution for their rebellion. Honestly, I struggled to find positive points to focus on in these chapters as they are so filled with sorrow. Each verse leads to deeper suffering and sorrow for the Jews. Even at the moment when you think there may be some hope of escape, Zedekiah is captured, his sons are killed, he’s blinded, and led back to Babylon in chains. 

Where is the hope? I’m sure at this time in history, the Jews thought the same thing. They could not see the redemption we know is coming. For the Jews, this was a time to reflect upon their failings and faithlessness to the Lord. For us, their story is to reflect upon the graciousness and power of the Lord. Despite the Jews’ (and our) sin, God has a plan for them (and us). The Jews were never too far gone, and neither are we. He can bring us back from Babylon and rebuild whatever it is that is broken. He is powerful. He is gracious. He is faithful.

Prayer

HONOR GOD

Psalms 103:17 TPT

But Lord, your endless love stretches from one eternity to the other, unbroken and unrelenting toward those who fear you and those who bow facedown in awe before you. Your faithfulness to keep every gracious promise you’ve made passes from parents, to children, to grandchildren, and beyond.  

Thank you Lord for your love that has no end. You have been and always will be good to me!

ASK GOD 

Nehemiah 6:9 

But now, my God, strengthen my hands.  

Before taking another step in your situation, trying in your own strength, ask God for His strength to work through you.

SUBMIT TO GOD

Deuteronomy 20:4

For the Lord your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.

We could choose to submit to our fears of the challenges ahead of us, Or we can choose to submit to the one who conquers all of our fears and not only that but grants us the victory that He won.