Strength to Carry On

O. T. #1913   "Strength to Carry On"

March 31,2021

Ezekiel 25-Part 5

LET IT GLOW

The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in Him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise Him. the LORD is their strength, and He is the saving strength of His anointed. (Psalm 28:7-8)

Give unto the LORD the glory due unto His name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness. (Ps. 29:2)

The LORD will give strength unto His people; the LORD will bless His people with peace.        (Ps. 29:11)

 

LET IT GROW

Have you noticed that the nations so far were bordered with Israel? The cup of God's wrath was going around, according to Matthew Henry. This was due to them worshiping man-made deities and idols.

Today we will look at the fourth nation to receive God's judgment-Philistia. They located themselves on the southern coast of Canaan, so they were sea people. The Philistines were descendants of Mizraim, the son of Ham, who was Noah's son. (Genesis 10:14)

One commentary said there were 7 battles that the Philistines had in the Old Testament. We will recall that Samson killed many, as well as David and his giant. So, their sin was to take revenge upon Israel(Judah), and had a spiteful heart, held onto old grudges. (Judges 13-16)  Abraham and Isaac had encounters with their King Abimelech. The Philistines constantly harassed and oppressed Israel until David broke their power during Saul's reign. (1Sam. 17) The Promised Land included the land of the Philistines.

They repeatedly rose up and were subdued by Israel. The Assyrians devastated the Philistines' land when they overtook Israel. (2Kings 18:33-35) Then the Babylonians invaded their land. (Jeremiah 47) Finally, the Maccabees exterminated them.

Dagon was the god of the Philistines. It was a grain deity. (Judges 16:23) Therefore, we can understand why God's judgment came upon this nation.

Are you holding onto an old grudge? Has it turned into a spiteful heart? In the same way we forgive others, God will forgive us. Something to consider.

LET IT GO

Be my strength and shield, Jesus.

You alone are worthy of glory, worship, and praise.

Thank You for Your peace as I go through troubled waters.

I trust in You.