Facing End Times

For the last month or so I’ve enjoyed listening to a series of sermons from Apostle Paul’s Letter to the Romans, delivered in the mid 1950s by Pastor Martyn Lloyd-Jones, M.D., at Westminster Chapel, London.

This past week I got through the Doctrinal portions of the Letter, arriving at the first verse in which the Apostle begins to encourage his readers in their new lives as Citizens of the Kingdom of G-D. [Yes, it has taken that long even though I’ve listened to at least five sermons each week.]

But as those who are alive from the dead, offer yourselves to God, and all the parts of yourselves to God as weapons for righteousness. For sin will not rule over you, because you are not under law but under grace. Romans 6:13,14

While Pastor Lloyd-Jones elaborates the scriptures a verse at a time, he often spends the hour on a key portion of the verse, moving on in the following sermon to complete it. The series of sermons I’ve been listening to took place on Friday nights, and must have gone on for several years.

Most of Pastor MLJ’s sermons begin with a recap, often an extensive retelling, of previous sermons. He says all good teachers offer their students repetition to order to enhance learning. On several occasions, Pastor MLJ takes most of his hourly sermon to elaborate on a single word, or two, to ensure that he is clear on the meaning and its usage.

The word “unto,” for instance is used in the statement that we are dead unto sin. It is also used in the alternate, that we are alive unto Christ. Pastor MLJ wants us to understand that this word, which one particular dictionary states is archaic, does not mean “to,” despite that meaning given in another dictionary.

Anyway, Pastor MLJ could seem to belabor a point. And in today’s culture of the six-second sound bite, he would probably have only a few people willing to endure his preaching.

My point for today is that if we are not going to be deceived as we arrive at the very door to the End Times, we are going to need to refocus and delve much deeper into the Word of G-D.

I recommend the following great articles to stir us up:

Live Life BOLD

Staying Focused on the Mission

You can listen to the sermons of Pastor Martyn Lloyd-Jones at The MLJ Trust.

Numbers-6-24-26 - 1 — Numbers-6-24-26 – 1

Come Away to a Solitary Place

In 1986 I was invited to be a part of a team ministering in Israel. The team’s mission was to provide a children’s ministry for the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem (ICEJ). The ICEJ began some years before when, as the founders put it, they realized how world turned cold hearts against Israel, none acknowledging Jerusalem as the Capitol of Israel.

[Aside: Interestingly, President Trump is the first to begin the process of moving the Ame rican Embassy to Jerusalem. No wonder so much trouble has been stirred up against him. I’m convinced most of the world hates Israel. But those who bless Israel shall be blessed, though perhaps they’re persecuted first.]

The Western Wall, above which once stood The Temple

The annual Festival of Succoth was chosen as a time to gather as many Christians as possible from around the world to join in celebration. Rosh HaShanah begins tonight, Yom Kippur follows in 10 days, and then Succoth. As it was when first I went to Israel, so it is today: A time thousands of Christians gather in Jerusalem to Celebrate The Feast.

I fell in love with Israel, and in particular with Jerusalem. The work with the ICEJ was incredible and in the company of other volunteers, I was able to spend time touring the Biblical sites throughout Israel.

In 1987, I returned to Israel for The Feast, and to again work with the children’s ministry of the ICEJ, I did so planning to stay on in Jerusalem. Many other Christians that worked as volunteers for the Celebration Festivities did also. I became friends with a number of people that continued volunteer work in Jerusalem. One women provided full-time, live-in nursing care to an elderly woman, for instance. One man volunteered as a carpenter/fix-it man at a small village that had been turned into an asylum for the mentally ill, many of whom were Holocaust “survivors.” (I mean no disrespect by using quotes around survivors, for I those in that village sadly didn’t fully survive, though they lived.)

These people I met worked hard, long hours. If anyone needed a break, it was them. Like the disciples of Yeshua mentioned in the Gospel According to Mark:

“. . . [Yeshua] said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. ” v. 31

Responding to their need for a break, I was blessed to be able organize and secure financial assistance for a variety excursions. One particular trip to us, a group of about eight, to a monastery located above the town of Jericho. While the monks not always allowed visitors, we were blessed to be able to spend several hours simply relaxing atop that mountain, viewing the valley and town below. We ate in Jericho, then returned by bus late in the afternoon to Jerusalem.

A small group of us whet to Cairo, Egypt, for a few days. No, Cairo doesn’t fit the bill of a quiet and solitary place. But it was an adventure we shared together, and thoroughly enjoyed. We visited a few museums, a huge bazaar, and toured inside a pyramid. While we’d all spent a lot of time traveling in buses in various countries, one of the most interesting experiences was the buses of Cairo. They never stopped. To enter or leave, one would grab a handle on the doorway, and simply jump aboard. Just to ensure people didn’t fall as they entered, there were large scoop-shaped doors that protruded from the side of the bus. I was a pretty incredible thing to do. Returning to Israel we were able to easily get new visas, which was a good thing, as we were at the end of our short-term visas.

One of my favorite places to take groups was through Hezekiah’s Tunnel. A brief mention is made of it in 2 Kings 20:20:

“[Hezekiah] made the pool and the conduit and brought water into the city”

1884 sketch of the tunnel, by Charles Warren and Claude Reignier Conder, showing the tunnel as well as Warren's Shaft, the Pool of Siloam and the Fountain of the Virgin. — 1884 sketch of the tunnel, by Charles Warren and Claude Reignier Conder, showing the tunnel as well as Warren’s Shaft, the Pool of Siloam and the Fountain of the Virgin. (Wikipedia)

While I suppose it’s changed today, but in the mid-1980s it was a very low-key adventure, and it was free. Then there were no signs even marking it’s entrance, until just before the stairway going downward. The story I was told is that King Hezekiah had engineers dig a tunnel from the springs located outside the city walls, to bring water within the city. It was especially useful when foreign nations attempted to take Jerusalem. Two teams of engineers were used, one from each end. Somewhere in the middle of the tunnel there is a sharp bend where it is said workers from one team could hear the sounds of the other team, and began their cut in that direction. It was mere feet between them at that point, and they soon met each other. Each of the groups I was privileged to lead carried candles, a tradition we were told, and trod through the icy waters the 583 yards (533 m) the tunnel runs through solid rock from the spring to the Pool of Siloam.

For all of us that felt called to go to Israel, felt called to show compassion upon a people that asked none, but so richly deserved it, we gladly served as able. Our various trials and difficulties in the doing of this service was offset by our travels in a beautiful country, rich in history, and filled with marvelous people. Certainly, those time we retreated to solitary places renewed within us the Spirit of G-D that enables us to continue our work.

It’s been a long time since Israel, and some faces of friends met there have faded, places have, likewise, become foggy in my mind, but other images are crystal clear. I hope they remain that way until the next time I am blessed to once again set foot upon the Promised Land of Milk and Honey.

FaithChatFriday

For some time now, I’ve been watching video presentations on YouTube. One of the groups of presenters is an online community called YoutTube Pipe Community (YTPC). Recently one of the presenters, Mike, began a series he calls “FaithChatFriday.” A number of others have added their video responses to it. The first in the series is “Why I believe in God.”

It can be viewed here:

FaithChatFriday “Why I Believe in God.”

When folks commented that they appreciated Mike beginning this series. Mike responded with his praise of G-D for the idea and thanked all who have responded. Mike gave G-D the glory for this endeavor.

Likewise, I thank G-D for working through Mike to share himself and his faith in G-D.

He’s invited anyone who wishes to view it to comment in the comment sections on the videos, as well as to begin their own FaithChatFriday vlogs.

Visit Mike’s vlog home at:

CaneRodPiper

There is a tab “Play List” and there is a list entitled “FaithChatFriday” where Mike has listed many others who’ve offered their own vlog responses.

Some of those who’ve responded have never made a vlog before, though have followed the other vlog presentations that Mike and others have made. These fellows have put their belief in G-D out into the public domain, and I commend them on this. I thank Yeshua for all who come out publicly, whether for the first time or as a continued effort to offer G-D’s light to the world. I thank G-D for all who, in the many and varied ways, witness ourselves and their life of faith in G-D to all who would read, listen, or view.

Thank G-d for all those who agree with Apostle Paul’s statement:

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.” (Romans 1:16)

L-RD Bless, Keep, Shine. . .

Modern Serenade

This morning an owl is trying to compete with the noise in the neighborhood. “Whoo Who Whoo Whoat. . . Whoo Whoo Whoo Whoooooo!”

The commercial lawn services use extremely loud machines. Airplanes fly over, low, single-engine jobs. In the lulls other birds try to get in a few bars of their songs. Almost impossible, however. Cars drive by. A van delivers something with a “bang, slam” of its doors. In the distance Georgia 400 drones on and on and on. . .

“Thunk. Thunk. Thunk. Woosh. Cajange.” “Thunk. Thunk. Thunk. Woosh. Thump.” The neighbor is out shooting, or attempting to shoot, hoops.
Noise Abatement. Apparently there are laws and ordinances against just about everything except the important stuff, like cars, trucks, airplanes, lawn machines, people and children in general and children with basketballs…

Apparently the cicadas didn’t get enough time last night to make noise, so they’re joining in the cacophony. Where, O Where is the Conductor? All that is required is the kid on the other block to “play” his drums. “Bam. Bam. BamBam. Bam. Bam. BamBam. (repeat adnausium (sp?).)”

My coffee didn’t taste as nice as usual. And my pipe isn’t relieving my stress as it is required to do under threat of disuse. The coffee got cold too fast. Now Sara is vacuuming her room. Alias, the members of one’s own family are among the noise makers.

Now a lawn maintenance guy just parked in the cut-du-sac. “Clang. CaJunk,” trailer doors drop open. Wheeling out his mower, mounting it and roaring off while another guy fires up a lawn edger to attack the stray strands of grass along the curb. “Woosh. Woosh,” the mower guy has done his deed and is running the insidious thing up the trailer ramp. The curb guy isn’t making enough noise, so cranks it up another notch.

Poor Zack, with all the competition, he gave up on shooting hoops and disappeared somewhere, no doubt to make noise in another part of the neighborhood.

Using a tapered pipe cleaner, I swab out the condensation from the pipe stem, pack gently, and relight sucking in a tiny piece of tobacco leaf in the process. “Puuu. Fushy,” I add the the chorus as I expel the dastardly leaf chunk.

No wonder so many men retire and soon die; they can’t handle life at home during the daytime.

“Wait for the LORD; be strong and courageous. Wait for the LORD.” (Psalm 27:14)

Wait. It’s not what one thinks. It means endure with what is happening. One commentator said it plainly, that it doesn’t mean sit idly by and do nothing, but in our actions, our thoughts, our ways, be righteous in all we do. Patience. Patience. Patience.

Reminds me of a comic strip. Three vultures awaiting a rabbits demise. One says, “Patience, Henry.” “Harrumph,” says Henry, “Patience my A@#$. I’m gonna kill something.”

It’s trash day today. The trash truck will have a lot of competition if it thinks it can disturb me today.

Somewhere south of the Saragossa Sea is the Horse Latitudes and the doldrums. Not much wind there. One’s sails will luff. One shan’t make much progress. One shan’t hear the sounds of Modern Life, either. Ah, to be becalmed in the Horse Latitudes. To hear the silence.

There are some sounds one becomes inured to. Like the wind. Up on the Apache-Sitgreaves, in Arizona’s White Mountains, the cowboys dread the one month each year that the wind doesn’t blow. They say it makes them a bit crazy–all the quiet on the open range in the high desert beneath the alpine mountains.

But the chorus of mechanical man’s inventions? Can one truly become accustom to such a racket? My brother who operated a B&B for some years new Yosemite said he had one of those background noise radios in each room for guest that couldn’t sleep for all the quiet. Odd, isn’t it? That it could be too quiet to sleep!

With all the noise here, in my once-rural, now metro, area north of Atlanta, I wonder if we’ll hear the final sound of the Shofar calling the living and the dead to rise to meet Messiah Yeshua.

And isn’t the devil laughing at what we’ve done to ourselves?

Asia Bibi Left Pakistan; Now in Canada

“Asia Bibi has left Pakistan and reached Canada. She has reunited with her family,” Saif Ul Malook, Ms. Bibi’s Lawyer, confirmed the news to The Guardian. (as reported in Christianity Today.)

“Release International CEO Paul Robinson questioned why it had taken so long for her to be able to leave the country.

“We are overjoyed that Asia is finally free. But why has it taken so long for this innocent woman to be allowed to leave?” he said.”

There is a reason it took so long. We may not know it precisely. What we do know is what Apostle Paul, writing to Christians persecuted in Rome, taught: “. . .we know that all things work together for good to them that love G-d, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” (Roman 8:28)

Thank G-D for Ms. Bibi’s release.

L-RD Bless, Keep, Shine. . .

Origin of Life

As I pulled out of the driveway this morning, I noticed a caterpillar climbing the post that holds the basketball hoop. It’s early Spring here in Georgia, and there are caterpillars. A few weeks ago there were tadpoles in the pond. Both butterflies and frogs do this metamorphosis thing. Caterpillars become butterflies; tadpoles become frogs. But I’ve always wondered about which stayed throughout the winter. Do caterpillars hang out somewhere, ready to climb up the pole to get on the tree to attach to a leave to eat and turn into butterflies? Do tadpoles hang out at the bottom o the pond, not becoming frogs, staying over the winter, to finish their change in the Spring so I can have lots of frogs to sound off during the evening hours? Or is it that a butterfly hits somewhere, ready to lay a caterpillar in the Spring? Perhaps a frog hid over the Winter beneath the rocks that surround the pond, emerging to lay eggs even as Winter is hardly over?

There are important questions. I think about things like this all the time.

I suppose I could try looking up an answer. I could Google it. I’d get a lot of opinions, I’m sure. After looking at replies to questions about products on Amazon, I really don’t thing the internet is to be trusted. I mean, someone asked a question about the dimensions of a particular filter, and several replies read like this: “I’ve never used this filter, but my filter is. . .” Really!

Anyway. Origin of Life. Yup. I’m told it is very controversial. I’m told that schools teach all sorts of theories about it. Unlike caterpillars and butterflies, unlike my questions about tadpoles and frogs, there’s a simple answer. Let me share it with you.

“In the beginning

Elohim created

the heavens

and the earth. ”

Genesis 1:1

Simple, isn’t it. Not like tadpoles and frogs. Not like why my Mom said I was made from puppy dog tails, and big, fat snails.

L-RD Bless, Keep, Shine. . .

Sri Lanka Easter Attacks: 270 Murdered; 450 Injured

Hundreds of people were injured while many others killed in six bomb explosions in at least three churches across the country and several hotels in Colombo today. (From Sri Lanka’s Daily Mirror)

“At least six explosions were reported this morning at three churches in Kochchikade, Katana, and Batticaloa and three five-star hotels in Colombo, police said.

“Explosions were reported at St. Anthony’s Church in Kochchikade, Kotahena and St.Sebastian’s Church in Katuwapitiya, Katana.

“Explosions were also reported at three five-star hotels, the Shangri-La, Cinnamon Grand and Kingsbury in Colombo.

“Police said another explosion was reported at a church in Batticaloa.

“Several casualties including foreign tourists have been reported.” —Daily Mirror

Two short sidebar articles, Daily Mirror reports: The Pope condemned the attacks and offered condolences; President Trump condemned the attacks and offered assistance.

Interestingly, “The [Sri Lankan] government has decided to temporarily block social media sites including Facebook and Instagram. Presidential Secretariat said in a statement that the decision to block social media was taken as false news reports were spreading through social media.” —Daily Mirror

And, “Police curfew has been imposed with immediate effect across the island by the IGP until further notice.”—Daily Mirror

Pray for the injured, pray for the families of the murdered, pray for the terrorists to be captured, pray for peace in Sri Lanka.

L-RD Bless, Keep, Shine. . .

You don’t know?

A man and his wife are headed home. They’re walking down a stone-paved road descending westward toward their town. They’re talking about the same thing everyone else is taking about—the events of the weekend. A man approaches and walks next to them. The couple doesn’t recognize him. Their eyes were kept from recognizing him. The man asks what they are discussing. I love what Cleopas says. “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” And Yeshua plays along, asking “What things?” Cleopas explains the events of the day as he understands them. (Read Luke Chapter 24)

Yeshua seizes the opportunity to let Cleopas and his wife in on what really happened, and who exactly the is the Messiah. Yeshua, “beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, . . . interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.” (v27)

When Cleopas and his wife arrive at their home, they invite the stranger in to stay, and for dinner. “When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight.” (v.30,31)

The next part of the story is cool, I think. I can only imagine their jaws dropping as they looked at each other, both saying at the same time: “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?” (v.32)

This is one of my favorite stories. There’s a lot here, too. Luke tells the story like a reporter would tell it. It’s very matter-of-fact like. Straight forward. The words contain and elicit emotion. Luke doesn’t need to analyze or explain anything.

There’s a few things that come to mind when I think about this first occurrence in which Yeshua, having risen from the dead, visits his followers. First of all, He didn’t visit Peter first. Or the sons of thunder. Some say those three men were in the “Inner Circle.” They did go up to the top of a mountain with Him one day and see Him Glorified. But instead, Yeshua chose to visited a guy and his wife—ordinary folk. I think it says a lot, especially after Yeshua spoke just a few days before about the way leadership and greatness in the Kingdom differs from the way the world sees its authority structure.

Then there’s teaching that Yeshua conveyed to Cleopas and his wife. Luke doesn’t report exactly what it was. We are left to seek that ourselves. There is no Gospel according to Cleopas and Mary for us to read. What did Yeshua tell them about Himself? What scriptures did Yeshua explain, open up? Good questions, right?

“Probably He showed them that their notions of the Messiah were not according to the Scriptures. “They” expected a temporal prince; they were perplexed because Jesus had not assumed the regal power, but had been put to death. He showed them that according to the prophecies he ought to suffer, and that his “death,” therefore, was no argument that he was not the Messiah.

“In all the scriptures – In all the “writings” of the Old Testament. They were called “scriptures” because they were “written,” the art of printing being then unknown.

“The things concerning himself – Concerning the Messiah. It does not appear that he “applied” them to himself, but left them, probably, to make the application. He showed what the Scriptures foretold, and “they” saw that these things applied to Jesus of Nazareth, and began to be satisfied that he was the Messiah. The most striking passages foretelling the character and sufferings of Christ are the following, which we may suppose it possible our Saviour dwelt upon to convince them that, though he was crucified, yet he was the Christ: Genesis 3:15; Deuteronomy 18:15; Genesis 49:10; Numbers 21:8-9; Isaiah 53:1-12; Daniel 9:25-27; Isaiah 9:6-7; Psalm 110:1-7; Psalm 16:1-11; 22; Malachi 4:2-6.” —Barnes’s Notes

Another thing to consider is that when they all arrived at Cleopas’s and Mary’s home, Yeshua “acted as if he were going farther, but they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent.” ” (v.28,29)

“Our Lord must be invited and constrained. He will not impose Himself on an unwilling host; but how glad He is to enter where a welcome awaits! He turns ordinary meals into sacraments; common rooms into royal chambers: and the homeliest things into symbols of the eternal. He sat with them, then vanished; but He was no less truly with them when He ceased to be seen-and all to teach them that when He had passed permanently from their sight He would be nearer than ever.” —F.B.Meyer, Through the Bible Day by Day

L-RD Bless, Keep, Shine. . .

Slaughter; Kill; Murder

Slaughtering. While it was a very long time ago, it doesn’t seem so. I lived close to the ranching community of Paso Robles, California. I’d get my hair cut at Head Hunter Barber Shop. Like many men and women in Paso, one of the barbers raised a few head of cattle each year. He would take them to Brian’s Beef for slaughter. From their the beef went to various markets to be hung for a while, then butchered and sold. I enjoyed fresh, natural grain-fed beef while living there.

Growing up the son of a Welsh woman, I also ate a lot of lamb. Cattle and sheep are slaughtered. Slaughter, according to the dictionary, means killing for food.

People often think hunters kill animals. Actually, hunters slaughter animals for food.

Killing. During the time I spent in Paso, I worked at Camp Roberts in support of National Guard units who trained there. The largest unit that trained there where units of the 40th Infantry Division. One of my functions was to prepare weapons for use by these troops. While the chief aim of America’s armed forces is to protect the peace of our nation, to provide peace for its citizens, it also prepares men to kill enemy on a battlefield. Killing is defined as causing the death of a person or an animal.

Murdering. Basic to our society, and enforced through our legal system, is the injunction not to murder. Murder is defined as the unlawful premeditated killing of one human being by another.

It is easily seen that there is a big difference between slaughtering, killing, and murdering.

Before the fall of the Temple, (Tisha B’Av – 9th Day of Av or 30 August 70 CE), when Roman legions under Titus retook and destroyed Jerusalem and the Second Temple, lambs were purchased four days prior to being slaughtered for the Holy Day of Pesach or Passover. During those four days, the lambs became attached to the families that would then slaughter them before the night of Pesach. See Exodus 12:3-6. These lambs were watched closely so that when slaughtered, they would be without spot or blemish, i.e., without defect, pure, perfect.

After the lamb was slaughtered, its blood was used to mark the doorways of the homes. It was then eaten in the evening by the family that had watched it for the previous four days. This Feast commemorates the night in Egypt that all who who were not so marked lost the first born of their family, which included the Pharaoh, the king of Egypt. It was after this that G-D’s people were released from their bondage to Pharaoh, and began their journey to their rightful homeland, the land of Promise, the land of Israel.

Fast forward a couple thousand years. No Temple. No sacrifice of a lamb can be made. Yet Pesach is still a very large part of our lives as People of G-D, both Christian and Jew.

Last Sunday many Christians celebrated what has become know as Palm Sunday. It commemorates the event of Yeshua entering Jerusalem, and people welcoming Him, crying out to Him, “Blessed is He that comes in the Name of the L-RD.”

There is a connection here. YeshuaJesus walked among us and we became familiar with Him. YeshuaJesus is The Lamb. His blood covers the doorway of our hearts.

This week many Christians will focus on the Crucifixion of Yeshua, and on Sunday His Resurrection. Many Christians don’t use the term Easter, rather call it Resurrection Day, as Easter is a pagan celebration that looks for the coming Spring Season.

Another connection that I made while watching that move, The Robe, is that, unlike the lambs slaughtered for Pesach, YeshuaJesus is G-D’s perfect, pure, unblemished Lamb and was murdered. We murdered Him.

We didn’t slaughter Him. We didn’t kill Him. We murdered Him.

Again, and this is important, the sacrifice of YeshuaJesus meant that, for those who believe in Him, His blood covers the doorway of our hearts, saving us from an eternal death.

Another connection. In the “Eucharist Service” or “Communion Service” that I attended as a kid, the priest would say as we knelt at the alter, “This is the Body which was given to you. . .This is the Blood that was shed for you.” For us. For our sins. It could just as easily be said, this is the Body that you murdered. This is the Blood you spilled.

We were all born spiritually dead. If we wake up, if we become aware of this, then we can turn to our L-RD, and as He was brought to life after three days of death in the tomb, we can be resurrected into a new life.

That Pesach occurs at the beginning of the Spring season is no accident. It is with intent. Spring illustrates the new growth that sprouts from the ground that lay dormant during the Winter. Life from Death.

L-RD Bless, Keep, Shine. . .

Will She Make It Out Of Pakistan Alive?

THE DAUGHTERS of Asia Bibi, a Christian woman who has been persecuted by Pakistan’s extremist far-right religious Islamic laws in a country dominated by mobs that preach hate. (photo credit: REUTERS)

“Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan has announced that Asia Bibi, a Christian woman who last year was saved from death row after being accused of blasphemy against Islam, will soon leave Pakistan to be reunited with her family.”—The Jerusalem Post.

According to the article, Ms. Bibi’s documentation is now ready, and she is set to leave the country. This came from an undisclosed source within the Pakistani government. This contradicts Pakistani Foreign Office spokesman Mohammad Faisal. He stated “Asia was free following the court’s decision.”

“To the best of my knowledge, Asia Bibi is still in Pakistan. She is a free woman. Only she can decide whether to live in Pakistan or move abroad,” Faisal said.

King David, in psalm 13, “despite the singular, first-person form employed throughout this chapter, does not speak here of his own tribulations and need for salvation. Rather, he composed this Psalm as a prayer” for G-D’s people. “. . .we have looked—and continue to look—to the Almighty and beg, ‘illuminate my eyes’ (verse 4), that He grant us the wisdom and foresight we need to overcome the hurdles we face living among hostile nations. We look forward to the time when we can fulfill David’s promise in the closing verse of this chapter, ‘I shall sing to G-D, for He has dealt kindly with me!’ “—Daily Tehillim.

How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever?
How long will you hide your face from me?
How long must I take counsel in my soul
and have sorrow in my heart all the day?
How long shall my enemy be exalted over me?

Consider and answer me, O LORD my God;
light up my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death,
lest my enemy say, “I have prevailed over him,”
lest my foes rejoice because I am shaken.

But I have trusted in your steadfast love;
my heart shall rejoice in your salvation.
I will sing to the LORD,
because he has dealt bountifully with me.
Psalm 13—Bible Hub

I can only imagine the agony, the despair, that Ms. Bibi has endured. The agony and constantly nagging despair that continues to plague her as long as she is threatened by evil men that want nothing more than her head—literally. Her youngest child was nine when she was taken away to be held in isolation pending death. Her youngest child is now 18 years old. I can hope that throughout the ordeal, that even now as there is a ray of hope for an end to this utter nonsense, that Ms. Bibi, like King David, has been able to trust in the steadfast love of the One True Master and Savior, YeshuaJesus. I hope that Ms. Bibi, like King David, has seen a future in which she will be able to sing “I will sing to L-RD because He has dealt bountifully with me.”

Paraphrasing the prayer of King David, psalm 71:13:

May the accusers of Asia Bibi be put to shame and consumed;
with scorn and disgrace may they be covered
who seek her hurt.

Will Ms. Bibi make it out of Pakistan alive? It’s a cliff hanger. May G-D’s will be done.

L-RD Bless, Keep, Shine. . .