Meditations: "Turn to Me and be Saved, all the Ends of the Earth ..."
Palm Sunday 2020. Always a special time of remembrance annually, has there been a time in my life when it has been more meaningful? Given all that is going on in our world today?
No. No, in my lifetime, I do not think there has ever been a time when it has been more meaningful.
Why would I say that, dear reader? I have written this post to answer the question.
First, I would like to given some perspective on the lead image of this post. And the historical context behind it.
Historical Context
Neither making a claim to being an ancient historian nor a theologian, I still learned long ago the value of understanding the context in which we find any sort of statement. Like the one on my lead image ...
The prophet Isaiah was writing in the time period of 740-680 B.C. He was forecasting the coming enslavement of Israel by Babylon and its great king, Nebuchadnezzar. In Chapter 45, he was foretelling the subsequent raising up of Cyrus the Great of Persia, who would conquer Babylon and then allow the Jewish people to return home.
A sampling of how God dealt with these men can be found here, where we are provided this remarkable account of what happened to Nebuchadnezzar. At the height of his power, as he was admiring one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon:
... "Is this not Babylon the great, which I myself have built as a royal residence by the might of my power and for the glory of my majesty?" While the word was in the king’s mouth, a voice came from heaven, saying, "King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is declared: sovereignty has been removed from you ..."
... Immediately the word concerning Nebuchadnezzar was fulfilled; and he was driven away from mankind and began eating grass like cattle ...
... I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven and my reason returned to me, and I blessed the Most High and praised and honored Him who lives forever;
For His dominion is an everlasting dominion,
And His kingdom endures from generation to generation.
“All the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing,
But He does according to His will in the host of heaven
And among the inhabitants of earth;
And no one can ward off His hand
Or say to Him, ‘What have You done?’... my majesty and splendor were restored to me for the glory of my kingdom ... so I was reestablished in my sovereignty, and surpassing greatness was added to me. Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise, exalt and honor the King of heaven, "for all His works are true and His ways just, and He is able to humble those who walk in pride.”
Daniel 4:28-37 [emphasis added mine]
Even though warned by Daniel (whom he had already learned the hard way he should have respected) this judgment was coming, Nebuchadnezzar chose to ignore it. Slow, but sure, at least he got the unmistakably clear message!
So, with this brief glimpse into this period of time, we see the rise and fall of great nations. And men mightily impressed with themselves. Even worshipped as gods (small "g" ...) in their time.
A famous saying goes something like this - "Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it."
Against that background, as you continue on with reading this post, consider the declaration of God in the lead image. And think about the nations and leaders of our time in history.
So ... Let's "flash forward" to today and "look" around us. What challenges are you facing in your part of the world, dear reader? And what are the "fearless leaders" of whatever "Almighty State" you live in doing about them?
On Palm Sunday 2020, here are a couple of quick examples of my own answers which, in one way or another, affect us all ...
"In here," the Steem vs. Hive "Wars"
I hesitated to even put this section in, as trivial as it is, in comparison to the rest of the content of this post. Still, I elected to go ahead since, stating the obvious, this blockchain platform is the foundation upon which this post is based.
And ...
Setting aside all of the escalating "back and forth" between the two sides, underlying this whole "social experiment" is the notion that somehow, in some "magical" way, someday this blockchain platform will be the foundation upon which some sort of "Utopian" future will be based.
Really? One question ...
"How is that working out
for you so far?"
for you so far?"
While fascinated to be a witness to, as well as a part of, the unfolding attempts to make this a viable and valuable enterprise, I have never deluded myself to think anything remotely close to "Utopia" was ever going to have anything to do with the "finished product" ...
"Out there," COVID-19 Redefines the World ...
Do I exaggerate in my subheading, dear reader, when I say - "Redefines the world?"
While I can't speak for where you live, here in America, I have already heard that a number of times just in the last week or so.
"We the people" are being prepared ...
My latest post on what I think about all related to America's response to COVID-19 can be summed up by simply stating ...
"If you think the Almighty State
will be your Savior,
think again!"
will be your Savior,
think again!"
Very sadly, we are only in the early stages of the vain attempt to prove otherwise. Once America and the "almighty" dollar, the reserve currency of the planet, begins to sink under the weight of the effort, no power on earth will be able to stop it.
The resulting financial disaster and economic destruction will almost assuredly redefine our world. And ... It will not be for the better ...
What alternative do we have?
Palm Sunday
The history of Palm Sunday is based around the triumphal entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem. Where he was celebrated, for "a few minutes," as the long anticipated heir to the throne of King David and Savior of the Jewish people.
For "a few minutes" @roleerob? Yes. "Creating God in their image," they wanted Jesus to lead them to victory over their Roman overlords. To restore them to the relative peace and prosperity they had enjoyed under the reign of King David.
He did not come to do that. He had instead clearly told them, "I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me." He was their ultimate source of peace, as well as everything else they truly needed, but they did not accept that.
He wept over that reality and forecast their pending doom, as a result, before going to the Cross. Paying the ultimate price, of inestimable value, He obtained the name above every name and sat down at the right hand of God, as the Lord of lords and King of kings.
As the good shepherd, He lay down His life, so that we might have life and have it abundantly.
The Gospel is the ultimate life saver. Eternal life. Where every tear is wiped away, the deepest desires of our hearts for love, joy, and peace are met, and all is made new. Restored to what our Heavenly Father had always intended our lives would be. From the beginning of time.
Closing
May I ask, dear reader, to what do you cling, in such a time as this? In the midst of the daily increase in despair all around us, in what do you place your hope?
As is common to many, I once "created God in my image," in an attempt to reconcile all that I heard and understood from very well-meaning and sincere people surrounding me. Although their views were in conflict and mutually exclusive ...
With so much at stake, how do we reconcile what is true? Which is right? As detailed in my testimony, thankfully God delivered me from this futile misery a long time ago. Helping me see He is far greater than anything man conceives of, in his vanity. Infinitely greater ...
Have you ever seriously thought about these things? Over the coming days, leading up to Easter 2020, I appeal to you, dear reader, to give careful consideration to what is truly important in this unprecedented time for us all. Perhaps, for the first time ...
I’d love to hear any feedback you may be inspired to provide. If I can help in any way answering any questions you may have, I will happily do what I can.
Until "next time," all the best to you for a better tomorrow, as we all work together to build up our Steem Communities and add increasing value to our Steem blockchain! 👍 😊
Respectfully,
Steemian @roleerob
Posted using SteemPeak and “immutably enshrined in the blockchain” on Sunday, 5 April 2020!
Interested in reading more of my related posts?
| Lead Image | Title, Link, & Summary |
|---|---|
 |
Testimony of a "Rock Head"
Summary: The story of God's faithful pursuit and deliverance of one man, from the Kingdom of Darkness. |
 |
Father's Day 2018: Children - Blessings of Life!!
Summary: God tells us children are blessings and gifts of life. Our Lord has taught me more about Himself through my experiences as a father than by any other aspect of my life. |
 |
Observations: Gratitude and the Simple Things
Summary: Reflections on a quiet, peaceful morning about what is truly important and being grateful for what we so often take for granted. |
 |
Meditations: CityAlight and the Power of Music
Summary: Is there any higher form of our creativity than music? Especially when dedicated to our Creator? I invite you to experience this Australian team's music! |
Dear Friend, in your voice is contained a strength which is maybe not so easy to perceive. The true Light of the Father and the Son. We need to learn leave aside our self centered values and understand that we are part of a much more greater plan. Our pleasures and possesions here on Earth are just the shadows in the caverns of our little comprehension that ofthen oscures our true self.
Your words are needed to better deal with what we have not resolve about vanity and egoism. You have a vocation in your writing!!
I send to you and your family my best wishes @Roleerob, much Love and Light for you all!!
Thank you very kindly @leveuf, for this ...
... as it shows you must have read it! 🙂 I'll leave to others to decide how good I am at it, but I can assure you and others that I write "from the heart!"
Man is far too prone, in my understanding of our "human condition," to do the opposite of what we should. And what is that?
As succinctly as I can state it, as I have referred to in this post, we foolishly try to "create God in our image." The Truth is clearly revealed to us in His word. We have the incomprehensible blessing of being created in His image!
"In the garden" of Eden, man made a fatal mistake. "In the garden" of Gethsemane, the Son of Man finished wrestling with His resolve to go forward with paying the ultimate price to redeem this fallen world. So that it could be restored to what our Creator always intended it to be!
That blessing shines on my heart!!
Much Love for your day Dear Friend!!
Amen, thank you so much for sharing!!
Thank you for "stopping by" @rynow. I appreciate that!