Weeks 03 & 04 (09) - Blessings of Divine Guidance

On 28th Jan. 2009, the World Econmic Forum started the 5 day event as usual in Davos. The theme this time is unsurprisingly "Committed to Improve The State of The World". There used to be something symbolic in Davos, all those movers and shakers going to the Swiss mountains to talk about capitalism being on top. Although Davos is still Davos, but not as we know it. The schmoozefest has turned into a gloomfest. Nearly all the business leaders and politicians here are using the word gloom again and again. No wonder the swagger of bankers and hedge fund managers is gone. In fact, it is difficult to find bankers here. Most of Wall Street's top bosses have decided to stay in New York in their offices. The people that have come to Davos fall into two categories: they are either humbled or deeply concerned.

Kenneth Rogoff, a professor at Harvard University and former chief economist of the International Monetary Fund comments that there needs to be "very dramatic, forceful action" to help fix the global economy.

In his keynote address, President Putin describes the global economic crisis as "the perfect storm" and called on the world to avoid sliding into isolationism or "economic selfishness". "Regardless of their political or economic system, all nations have found themselves in the same boat," he says. Mr Putin also argues that the world needs a range of reserve currencies and more policy openness in the countries which issue them. Countries should try to avoid the "blind belief" that the state can solve all problems, he adds.

Definitely, as we move closer to the End-time, we will see greater co-operation among the nations in the world economy and world peace, esp. in the Middle East. These will be key indicators to watch.

Despite of the gloom surrounding the world, be sure to know that "Blessed is the man who....delight is in the law of the LORD, and on His law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers. Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish." [Ps. 1:1-6 NIV]

Saul was anointed by God with great power in the beginning. When Jabesh Gilead in Israel was besieged by the Ammonite who would only make a treaty "on the condition that I gouge out the right eye of every one of you and so bring disgrace on all Israel."......When Saul heard their words, the Spirit of God came upon him in power, and he burned with anger. He took a pair of oxen, cut them into pieces, and sent the pieces by messengers throughout Israel, proclaiming, "This is what will be done to the oxen of anyone who does not follow Saul and Samuel." Then the terror of the LORD fell on the people, and they turned out as one man. When Saul mustered them at Bezek, the men of Israel numbered three hundred thousand and the men of Judah thirty thousand......The next day Saul separated his men into three divisions; during the last watch of the night they broke into the camp of the Ammonites and slaughtered them until the heat of the day. Those who survived were scattered, so that no two of them were left together" [1 Sam. 1,2,6-11 NIV]. But when Saul did not walk with the Lord later, the Lord rejected him as king! Yes, God cannot be unfaithful to His Word.

Although the indicators do provide hints of the End-time, "No-one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man........"Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come " [Matt 24:36-51 NIV]. The important thing to do is to live each day as if the Lord is coming back on that day!

"Does not wisdom call out? Does not understanding raise her voice?....I raise my voice to all mankind........My mouth speaks what is true, for my lips detest wickedness.......Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold, for wisdom is more precious than rubies........To fear the LORD is to hate evil......By me kings reign and rulers make laws that are just.....I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me. With me are riches and honour, enduring wealth and prosperity. [Prov 8:1-18 NIV] Thus says the Lord. Let us heed His Word.

Amen!

Weeks 01 & 02 (09) - Blessings of Divine Guidance

On 20th Jan. 2009, the North Thames Branch of the Institution of Structural Engineers, where I serve as Hon. Secretary will install a new Chairman. On the same day, President Elect Barack Obama will take office, becoming the most powerful man in the USA and in the world. There is of course no relationship in the two completely separate events, although our new Chairman would be proud of the coincidence and will no doubt remember the day!

In the meantime, the fire power of Israel is relentlessly pounding Hamas strongholds in Gaza, trying to stop Hamas rockets firing into Israelite territories. No doubt President Barack Obama's in-tray would be full on Day 1. The two pressing issues facing him would be solving the economic ills in the country and finding a peace solution in the Middle East. Whilst the first problem is much harder to solve, Barack Obama would be the most likely US President to broker a lasting peace solution between Israel and Palestine. This would of course be a key End-time indicator which I am watching with keen interest.

The Lord loves the Nation of Israel which the faithful will eventually be embodied in spiritual Israel, the Church. He has preserved it in the thousands of years of its history and for 2000 years as far as the Church is concerned. God's people should ".....Praise the LORD from the heavens, praise him in the heights above........He set them in place for ever and ever; he gave a decree that will never pass away.....for his name alone is exalted; his splendor is above the earth and the heavens. He has raised up for his people a horn, the praise of all his saints, of Israel, the people close to his heart. Praise the LORD." [Ps 148:1-14 NIV] It is so good to know that we are close to God's heart!

Like the days of old when the God of Israel struck fear in the hearts of the Philistines, He will strike fear in all who do not believe in Him. Even their gods will bow down to Him. "After the Philistines had captured the ark of God, they took it from Ebenezer to Ashdod. Then they carried the ark into Dagon's temple and set it beside Dagon. When the people of Ashdod rose early the next day, there was Dagon, fallen on his face on the ground before the ark of the LORD! They took Dagon and put him back in his place. But the following morning when they rose, there was Dagon, fallen on his face on the ground before the ark of the LORD! His head and hands had been broken off and were lying on the threshold; only his body remained......The LORD's hand was heavy upon the people of Ashdod and its vicinity; he brought devastation upon them and afflicted them with tumors.....When the men of Ashdod saw what was happening, they said, 'The ark of the god of Israel must not stay here with us, because his hand is heavy upon us and upon Dagon our god.'" [1 Sam 5:1-12 NIV]

Our God's power is awesome throughout the ages, in both the Old & New Testament times. When Jesus the Son of God was challenged to pay the temple tax, He got the money from the mouth of a fish. "After Jesus and his disciples arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma tax came to Peter and asked, 'Doesn't your teacher pay the temple tax?' 'Yes, he does," he replied. When Peter came into the house, Jesus was the first to speak. '......we may not offend them, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours.'" [Matt 17:24-27 NIV] Wow! What power!

Jesus is the Word that became fresh. Let us listen to Jesus. Let us accept His words. "My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding.....then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God.....For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul. Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you." [Prov 2:1-11 NIV]

Amen!