Thought for April 24, 2024

  •  1184 BC: Greeks enter Troy in Trojan Horse
  • 1800: Library of Congress established
  • 1872: Mt. Vesuvius erupts
  • 1877: Last Union troops withdraw from the South
  • 1897: First reporter assigned to the White House
  • 1898: Spain declares war on the U.S.
  • 1950: Jordan annexes the West Bank
  • 1962: First TV signal sent by satellite
  • 1990: Michael Milken pleads guilty to violating securities laws
  • 2011: Hundreds of Christians arrested for Easter celebration in Beijing public square [they had been stripped of their churches]
  • Born:Robert Bailey Thomas [founded Farmer's Almanac], John Russell Pope [architect for Jefferson Memorial and National Archives], Robert Penn Warren, Justin Wilson [chef], Shirley McLaine, Barbara Streisand, Richard Sterban [Oak Ridge Boys], Cedric the Entertainer, Chipper Jones, Lee Westwood, Kelly Clarkson
  • Died: Daniel DeFoe, Bud Abbott, Wallis Simpson, Pat Paulsen, Estee Lauder
Thought:
Yesterday, Micah wrote about the coming last days when peace would reign and fear would be no more. We look around and ask, "how could this happen?" Makes me think of that great theological movie "Independence Day." The President addresses the captured alien and asks, "can there be peace?" And the alien responds, "peace, there is no peace." Look at today--children are not at peace; mental health issues seem to be at an all time high. Families are not at peace--divorces are at an all time high. People are not at peace--conflict, strife, tension is everywhere. Nations are not at peace--the Middle East, Korea, Ukraine. Where does this promised peace come from. 

Micah 5:1-5 tells us. From Bethlehem, One will go forth. He is not new, He is from forever. He is the Great Shepherd. And He will be great--no He will be the Greatest--the greatest Savior, the greatest Teacher, the greatest High Priest, the Greatest King, the Greatest Lord. But notice--HE will be our peace. How are we going to get that peace promised by chapter 4, through the One promised from Bethlehem in chapter 5. 

It is interesting to me that the chapter that follows the promise of the shepherd contains and indictment. While we were sinners, Christ died for us. And my thought is, what can I bring to the Lord to appease Him and satisfy His indictment? [6:6]  How about some sacrifices? What if I even bring my first born? How can I atone for my sin? What a simple answer--do justice, love kindness, walk humbly with God. [6:8] Think about that. Do what is just. What does being just mean for the Christian? Justice is a part of the character of God. It means doing what is right according to His definition of Right. Psalm 89 tells us justice is part of the foundation of God's throne along with righteousness. And several times the scripture says the righteous/just will live by faith. Being just means we live by His standards. 

How do we love kindness? It is a fruit of the Spirit and sometimes we see it translated mercy. I like kindness. As a Christian we love to imitate the One who is kind and merciful. We want to act like one of His kin folks. We want to be recognized as one of His children/family. And we walk humbly with God. If we walk with God, we will be in the right place at the right time with the right motives and with the right attitude. If we walk in step with Him, we do everything like Him. 

And we walk with humility--we recognize who He is and who we are and who all the other people are. He is Master, Lord and I am not. I am His servant. You are to be loved because you were also created in His image and were the ones for whom He paid the price on the cross. Jesus summed this up saying love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength and your neighbor as yourself. 

How do we get that peace that is promised for the last days now--in the Prince of Peace as we do justice, love mercy/kindness, and walk humbly.Today will be a blessed day.

Blessings
Larry

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