Pastor’s Corner

Trivia:

You all had some closes guesses on the date of the first patent for the computer mouse. It was actually first awarded in November 17, 1970 by Douglas Engelbart. This single tool brought to the amatuer world the common use of the computer. Before this tool the computer was used primarily by computer specialist's.

Here's another brain teaser; Which word means "a feeling of happiness and well-being? Euthanasia; Euphoria; Euthenics; or Paradise? Make your guess.

Challenge:

Psalm 83:1-5 "O God, do not be silent! Do not be deaf. Do not be quiet, O God. 2 Do you not hear the uproar of your enemies? Don't you see that your arrogant enemies are rising up? 3 They devise crafty schemes against your people; they conspire against your precious ones. 4 "Come," they say, "let us wipe out Israel as a nation. We will destroy the very memory of its existence." 5 Yes, this was their unanimous decision. They signed a treaty as allies against you- 6 these Edomite's and Ishmalites; Moabites and Harriet's; 7 Gebalities, Ammonites, and Amalekites; and people from Philistia and Tyre. 8 Assyria has joined them, too, and is allied with the descendants of Lot."

This Psalm has its roots in the historical story found in 2 Chronicles 20:1-30. We see here the interactions between God and the surrounding nations towards the Jewish people. The writer begins by requesting that God not remain silent, unhearing, or quiet to the struggles of His chosen people.

But rather listen to the great upheaval that His people are facing. Their enemies rising up in defiance and arrogance against the God of His people, Then not only do they voice their rebellion against His people, but they also are planning to bring physical harm to them. They chant "death and destruction to Israel."

They even sign a treaty together that they are going to act on these crafty schemes. Now this is a very serious steps to take because they are usually defending themselves against each other. But now they are establishing a plan to join together in order to go out in war against the Hebrew nation and their God.

Now if you notice these people who are seeking to bring harm to Israel, are neighboring smaller groups of people, with the exception of Assyrian nation which was the most powerful force who is aligning together to destroy Israel.

Nos going back to Chronicles for insight into this Psalm, Jehoshaphat was the king and after seeing the nations who were coming again Israel, he lead the people to gather at the temple and to call on the Lord for His deliverance. All of the people including their children stood before the temple requesting that God protect them. The prophet Jahaziel stood before the nation and said,"Do not be afraid! Don't be discouraged by this might army, for the battle is not yours, but God's.

He told them in verse 17 to go out tomorrow. "Take your positions; then stand still and watch the Lord's victory. He is with you! Then in verse 21 tells us the people decided to send out their choir before the army and sing,"Give thanks to the Lord; His faithful love endures forever." Upon this step of faith verse 22 tells us that the whole armies turned against each other and destroyed each other. Verse 24 tells us that, "Not a single one of the enemy had escaped."

SO GO WITH GOD for He will go before you if you will but plug your trust in Him and faithfully sing to God of your total trust in Him.

Verse 29 declares this result, "When all the surrounding kingdoms heard that the Lord himself had fought against the enemies of Israel, the fear of God came over them." So my friend rest in God for Israel learned this truth, in verse 30 "for God had given them rest on every side."

Take a few minutes to listen to Russ Taff- Praise the Lord.