ambush – Praying Pint

43.b. “Wilderness” – 7.i. Sinai – “You shall not murder.”

Exodus 20:13 “You shall not murder.

Leviticus 24:21 Whoever kills an animal shall make it good, and whoever kills a person shall be put to death.

Deuteronomy 19:13 Your eye shall not pity him, but you shall purge the guilt of innocent blood from Israel, so that it may be well with you.

Psalms 10:8-11 He sits in ambush in the villages; in hiding places he murders the innocent. His eyes stealthily watch for the helpless; he lurks in ambush like a lion in his thicket; he lurks that he may seize the poor; he seizes the poor when he draws him into his net. The helpless are crushed, sink down, and fall by his might. He says in his heart, “God has forgotten, he has hidden his face, he will never see it.”

Proverbs 1:11 If they say, “Come with us, let us lie in wait for blood; let us ambush the innocent without reason;

Proverbs 1:18 but these men lie in wait for their own blood; they set an ambush for their own lives.

Isaiah 26:21 For behold, the LORD is coming out from his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity, and the earth will disclose the blood shed on it, and will no more cover its slain.

1 Timothy 1:9 understanding this, that the law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and mothers, for murderers,

1 John 3:14-15 We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love abides in death. Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.

Jesus carefully explained the heart of this commandment. He showed that it also prohibits us from hating someone else because we can wish someone dead in our hearts, yet never have the nerve to commit the deed. Someone may not kill from a lack of courage or initiative, yet his or her heart is filled with hatred. (Guzik)

When God “set a mark upon Cain” (Genesis 4:15), He marked thereby His abhorrence of the murderer. The “seven precepts of Noah” included one which distinctly forbade the taking of human life (Genesis 9:6). In all countries and among all peoples, a natural instinct or an unwritten tradition placed murder among the worst of crimes, and made its penalty death. The Mosaic legislation on the point was differenced from others principally by the care it took to distinguish between actual murder, manslaughter (Exodus 21:13), death by misadventure (Numbers 35:23), and justifiable homicide (Exodus 22:2). Before, however, it made these distinctions, the great principle of the sanctity of human life required to be broadly laid down; and so the law was given in the widest possible terms—“Thou shalt not kill.” Exceptions were reserved till later. (Ellicott)

Thou shalt not do any thing hurtful to the health or life of thy own body, or any other’s. This doth not forbid our necessary defence, or the magistrates putting offenders to death; but it forbids all malice and hatred to any, for he that hateth his brother is a murderer, and all revenge arising therefrom; likewise anger, and hurt said or done, or aimed to be done, in a passion; of this our Saviour expounds this commandment, Matthew 5:22. (Benson)

The sixth commandment requires that we regard the life and the safety of others as we do our own. Magistrates and their officers, and witnesses testifying the truth, do not break this command. Self-defence is lawful; but much which is not deemed murder by the laws of man, is such before God. Furious passions, stirred up by anger or by drunkenness, are no excuse: more guilty is murder in duels, which is a horrible effect of a haughty, revengeful spirit. All fighting, whether for wages, for renown, or out of anger and malice, breaks this command, and the bloodshed therein is murder. To tempt men to vice and crimes which shorten life, may be included. Misconduct, such as may break the heart, or shorten the lives of parents, wives, or other relatives, is a breach of this command. This command forbids all envy, malice, hatred, or anger, all provoking or insulting language. The destruction of our own lives is here forbidden. This commandment requires a spirit of kindness, longsuffering, and forgiveness. (Henry)

Thou shalt not kill. Not meaning any sort of creatures, for there are some to be killed for the food and nourishment of men, and others for their safety and preservation; but rational creatures, men, women, and children, any of the human species, of every age, sex, condition, or nation; no man has a right to take away his own life, or the life of another; by this law is forbidden suicide, or self-murder, parricide or murder of parents, homicide or the murder of man; yet killing of men in lawful war, or in defence of a man’s self, when his own life is in danger, or the execution of malefactors by the hands or order of the civil magistrate, and killing a man at unawares, without any design, are not to be reckoned breaches of this law; but taking away the life of another through private malice and revenge, and even stabbing of a man’s character, and so all things tending to or designed for the taking away of life, and all plots, conspiracies, and contrivances for that purpose, even all sinful anger, undue wrath and envy, rancour of all mind, all malice in thought, word, or deed, are contrary to this precept, see Matthew 5:21 and which, on the other hand, requires that men should do all they can for the ease, peace, and preservation of the lives of men. (Gill)

You know the sings of the times when looting, destruction of property, violent demonstrations, killing, wounding, etc are not only tolerated but condoned, and when peaceful protests and public prayer for the unborn are deemed unacceptable, breaking the law, and deserving punishment. Abortion is murder. There is no love, mercy, kindness, or preservation of innocent life.

The professionals at Planned Parenthood will work to get you the services you need, whether or not you have insurance. Our staff can also let you know if there is financial assistance available for your abortion and other related costs, like transportation. If there’s no Planned Parenthood health center near you, AbortionFinder.org can help you find a trustworthy abortion provider.

Abortion funds may be available to help you pay for your abortion. Abortion funds may also offer help with transportation, lodging, childcare, and other resources you may need to access abortion. The National Network of Abortion Funds connects people with organizations that can provide financial and logistical support for people getting abortions in the U.S.

Just because the culture makes murder of the unborn legal does not mean it is in the eyes of God. We think it very wrong to kill born babies in ritual sacrifice. This is recognized by everyone of sound mind, and yet, the unborn are legally sacrificed day after day. Globally, over 70 million are killed each year, and over 500,000 in the US. In the US there are ~198 abortions per 1,000 live births. Changing the name from murder of the unborn to “Women’s Choice” or “Rights” to make it legal does not make it right in God’s eyes. It is murder of the innocent unborn baby.

1.y. To you they cried and were rescued; in you they trusted and were not put to shame.

2 Chronicles 13:1 In the eighteenth year of King Jeroboam, Abijah began to reign over Judah. He reigned for three years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Micaiah the daughter of Uriel of Gibeah.

Now there was war between Abijah and Jeroboam. Abijah went out to battle, having an army of valiant men of war, 400,000 chosen men. And Jeroboam drew up his line of battle against him with 800,000 chosen mighty warriors. Then Abijah stood up on Mount Zemaraim that is in the hill country of Ephraim and said, “Hear me, O Jeroboam and all Israel! Ought you not to know that the Lord God of Israel gave the kingship over Israel forever to David and his sons by a covenant of salt? Yet Jeroboam the son of Nebat, a servant of Solomon the son of David, rose up and rebelled against his lord, and certain worthless scoundrels gathered about him and defied Rehoboam the son of Solomon, when Rehoboam was young and irresolute and could not withstand them.

“And now you think to withstand the kingdom of the Lord in the hand of the sons of David, because you are a great multitude and have with you the golden calves that Jeroboam made you for gods. Have you not driven out the priests of the Lord, the sons of Aaron, and the Levites, and made priests for yourselves like the peoples of other lands? Whoever comes for ordination with a young bull or seven rams becomes a priest of what are not gods. But as for us, the Lord is our God, and we have not forsaken him. We have priests ministering to the Lord who are sons of Aaron, and Levites for their service. They offer to the Lord every morning and every evening burnt offerings and incense of sweet spices, set out the showbread on the table of pure gold, and care for the golden lampstand that its lamps may burn every evening. For we keep the charge of the Lord our God, but you have forsaken him. Behold, God is with us at our head, and his priests with their battle trumpets to sound the call to battle against you. O sons of Israel, do not fight against the Lord, the God of your fathers, for you cannot succeed.”

Jeroboam had sent an ambush around to come upon them from behind. Thus his troops were in front of Judah, and the ambush was behind them. And when Judah looked, behold, the battle was in front of and behind them. And they cried to the Lord, and the priests blew the trumpets. Then the men of Judah raised the battle shout. And when the men of Judah shouted, God defeated Jeroboam and all Israel before Abijah and Judah. The men of Israel fled before Judah, and God gave them into their hand. Abijah and his people struck them with great force, so there fell slain of Israel 500,000 chosen men. Thus the men of Israel were subdued at that time, and the men of Judah prevailed, because they relied on the Lord, the God of their fathers. And Abijah pursued Jeroboam and took cities from him, Bethel with its villages and Jeshanah with its villages and Ephron with its villages. Jeroboam did not recover his power in the days of Abijah. And the Lord struck him down, and he died.

Psalms 22:4-5   In you our fathers trusted; they trusted, and you delivered them.  To you they cried and were rescued; in you they trusted and were not put to shame.

Daniel 3:28    Nebuchadnezzar answered and said, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent his angel and delivered his servants, who trusted in him, and set aside the king’s command, and yielded up their bodies rather than serve and worship any god except their own God.

Nahum 1:7     The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him.

Psalms 146:5    Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD his God,

Ephesians 1:12   so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory.

To hope in God in a time of trouble is a wise decision/choice. In life, we more than likely will come up against a trial or some trouble that is very real and much bigger than we can handle either physically or mentally. We see Abijah faced with almost certain defeat being outnumbered 2 to 1. To get this in perspective, Abijah had 400,000 valiant men that went to defend against Jeroboam’s 800,000 chosen mighty warriors. What thoughts would be going through your head if you were faced with this?

Abijah called out Jeroboam’s sin and disregard for God, warning him that God was on their side and to fight them was to fight against God. But Jeroboam did not listen and such it is with those who disregard God and serving Him. Abijah and those 400,000 men called on the Lord and were given success over Jeroboam and the 800,000 warriors. 500,000 men lost their lives that day following after false gods and idols.

Power, financial stability, and worldly wisdom do not give us success. In fact what is more than likely going to happen is a harden heart, deaf ears, stiff neck, and blind eyes to the things of God. These all come at a cost to your soul if you have not chosen in your heart and mind to humbly serve, honor, follow, trust, and obey Jesus Christ. It seems as though we give a nod toward Jesus on Sunday but then lose sight of living for Him soon after. Neglect of His word and complacency are certain to happen when serving and honoring Jesus is not our intentional heart and mind choice. We pretend we are ok and we try to perform good things to act as though we honor and serve Him but His word and the want of His word is not first in our heart and mind. Shallow thoughts will never lead us to honoring Jesus Christ. Partial obedience will never honor Jesus Christ. Sporadic time in His word will never grow us into mature Jesus honoring followers.

Humbly honoring, serving, following, glorifying, trusting, and obeying Jesus Christ is a heart and mind choice that is so more than a one-time commitment at the time of seeking forgiveness and repenting of your sin to Jesus Christ. It is so much more than a one-time event. It is a conversion of the heart and mind and then a daily surrender of self for the single purpose of Humbly honoring, serving, following, glorifying, trusting, and obeying Jesus Christ. Why this daily surrender? If we don’t we certainly will not find the heart, mind, and soul-deep satisfaction that comes through intentionally and purposely surrendering each moment of each day for the purpose of honoring Jesus Christ. Without this intentional choice, our heart and mind will be led by self and all of its meaningless follies in search of satisfaction.

He will wipe away every tear

“No wisdom, no understanding, no counsel can avail against the LORD.”

Exodus 1:8  Now there arose a new king over Egypt, who did not know Joseph. And he said to his people, “Behold, the people of Israel are too many and too mighty for us. Come, let us deal shrewdly with them, lest they multiply, and, if war breaks out, they join our enemies and fight against us and escape from the land.”

Psalms 10:2     In arrogance the wicked hotly pursue the poor; let them be caught in the schemes that they have devised.

Psalms 83:3-4     They lay crafty plans against your people; they consult together against your treasured ones.  They say, “Come, let us wipe them out as a nation; let the name of Israel be remembered no more!”

Proverbs 1:11    If they say, “Come with us, let us lie in wait for blood; let us ambush the innocent without reason;

Numbers 22:6    Come now, curse this people for me, since they are too mighty for me. Perhaps I shall be able to defeat them and drive them from the land, for I know that he whom you bless is blessed, and he whom you curse is cursed.”

Job 5:13    He catches the wise in their own craftiness, and the schemes of the wily are brought to a quick end.

Proverbs 16:25    There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.

1 Corinthians 3:18-20     Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise.  For the wisdom of this world is folly with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their craftiness,  and again, “The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.”

James 3:15-18    This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.  For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.  But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.  And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

In the change of one King all the benefits of Joseph and the Israelites was forgotten. In a short time, going from being found in favor to being treated ruthlessly, shrewdly, and as slaves. Can you imagine what this change would do to everyday life? A change so fast and dramatic that you can’t even think it possible but yet there it is. You feel as though you are living in the blessings of God and then in a moment it all changes.

When I was 21 I was working as a plumber in a house under construction. At 8:00 that Saturday morning a colleague went to light his torch and there as an explosion and fire due to a gas leak in the house. We were both burned severely. (In a moment my life changed) I was able to return to work after 6 months. Some might say how unfortunate to have this happen, yet I know it was the best thing ever in my life, for within a year and 11 days later it brought me to saving grace knowledge of forgiveness and redemption through Jesus Christ. It did seem bad but God used it for good.

Another time I lost my job after 20 years. I was so confused, lost, and defeated. (In a moment my life changed) Looking back I can see how good this was for me for God needed to show me that I was not my job. My identity was in being His child not in the title I held. My job was what I did and not who I am. I am a child of the King. He did many things during this time to confirm His loving hand and presence in my life. These and more trials have come and gone.

Did any of these seem good at the time – no.

Was this time easy – no.

Did my current state of normal change – yes.

Do doubts attack my faith – yes

Can I look back and see God’s hand in all of it – yes.

Did God ever leave me alone – no.

I guess what I am trying to get at is that all things work together for good to them called according to His purpose and plans. I don’t understand it but I know it to be true. I have grown in my trust, faith, reliance, worship, obedience, because of what has happened and where He leads me. I find Him opening up understanding to scriptures and knowledge of Him. He allows me to see His hand at work and as well exposes the work of satan in this world.

He feeds my soul and breaths hope that overshadow my doubts and concerns. I do not have to know the reason behind that which I deem bad, untimely, hurting, overwhelming, crushing, traumatic, shattering, terrible and devastating, for God is in control, He loves me, He will never leave me or forsake me, He will guard me, He will lead me, and in Him and His hands I find peace and rest knowing that all things work together for good to them called according to His purpose. A trial or trouble placed in the hands of God will bring rest and peace to the heart and soul and mind.

Remember here will come a time, in a moment and blink of an eye, when Christ will return and this short vapor of life will leave and eternity starts and where every tear will be wiped away and we will be in His presence forever.

Fear and Panic

Zechariah 14:13 And on that day a great panic from the LORD shall fall on them, so that each will seize the hand of another, and the hand of the one will be raised against the hand of the other.

Zechariah 12:4 On that day, declares the LORD, I will strike every horse with panic, and its rider with madness.

Judges 7:22 When they blew the 300 trumpets, the LORD set every man’s sword against his comrade and against all the army.

1 Samuel 14:15-23 And there was a panic in the camp, in the field, and among all the people. The garrison and even the raiders trembled, the earth quaked, and it became a very great panic.

2 Chronicles 20:22 And when they began to sing and praise, the LORD set an ambush against the men of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah, so that they were routed. For the men of Ammon and Moab rose against the inhabitants of Mount Seir, devoting them to destruction, and when they had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir, they all helped to destroy one another. When Judah came to the watchtower of the wilderness, they looked toward the horde, and behold, there were dead bodies lying on the ground; none had escaped.

Ezekiel 38:21 I will summon a sword against Gog on all my mountains, declares the Lord GOD. Every man’s sword will be against his brother.

Revelation 17:17 for God has put it into their hearts to carry out his purpose by being of one mind and handing over their royal power to the beast, until the words of God are fulfilled.

Genesis 35:5 And as they journeyed, a terror from God fell upon the cities that were around them, so that they did not pursue the sons of Jacob.

Leviticus 26:36 And as for those of you who are left, I will send faintness into their hearts in the lands of their enemies. The sound of a driven leaf shall put them to flight, and they shall flee as one flees from the sword, and they shall fall when none pursues. They shall stumble over one another, as if to escape a sword, though none pursues. And you shall have no power to stand before your enemies.

Exodus 23:27 I will send my terror before you and will throw into confusion all the people against whom you shall come, and I will make all your enemies turn their backs to you.

Psalms 14:5 There they are in great terror, for God is with the generation of the righteous.

Deuteronomy 11:25 No one shall be able to stand against you. The LORD your God will lay the fear of you and the dread of you on all the land that you shall tread, as he promised you.

In scripture we often read of the power of God over the physical properties of earth and sky. God is not limited in anything. He is God. He is able to do more than we ask and much more than we can imagine. I am reminded in these scriptures again of how powerful and mighty and awesome God is. He has great power over all there is, even the heart and mind of man. He is able to place fear and trembling in the heart and mind. He also places what can be known about Himself into the heart and mind of man. In Romans it says “For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools,” Our God is in control and able to overcome anything that comes our way. This is for sure. The proper mind when thinking about this is stated very clear in Daniel when the three followers told the king “our God is able to save us but even if He does not, we will not bow to you”. And again when Christ prayed for the cup of wrath that he was going to experience to be removed/stopped, but not his will but God’s. We must always put our total faith in the one who is able and rely on and trust in His perfect plan.