Worthy Brief - 6/13/2024
Friend, do not become weary in well doing!
Revelation 7:9-10 After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.
Have you ever heard how the Karen people of Burma were prepared for the gospel? This unique people's history reveals how the Lord had sovereignly preserved, in their traditions, their yearning for the one true God.
For centuries, the Karen people rejected the teachings of Buddhism and spiritism and clung to their ancient understanding of the true God, whom they called "Y'wa", suggesting the influence of the Hebrew, "Yahweh". Karen traditions also point to Adam and Eve and their fall, in the garden of Eden. According to the tradition, because of transgressions, they fell from grace. An ancient poem powerfully expresses their hope and expectation of redemption:
"O children and grandchildren! If we repent of our sins, and cease to do evil--restraining our passions--and pray to Y'wa, he will have mercy on us again. If Y'wa does not have mercy on us, there is no other one who can. He who saves us is the only one - Y'wa."
Their stories relate how they negligently lost the ancient books of Y'wa, and were now anxiously awaiting the "white men", who would restore the ancient books to them.
Another Karen poem is virtually "prophetic":
"The sons of Y'wa, the white foreigners, obtained the words of Y'wa. The white foreigners, the children of Y'wa, obtained the words of Y'wa anciently."
In the late 1800's Christian missionaries arrived in Burma bringing the gospel of Jesus. Their message was overwhelmingly received! Today a majority of the Karen people are believers, because God had prepared their hearts to receive the message over hundreds of years. The Karen waited expectantly for the "white man's" message of redemption from "Y'wa", and "Y'wa" proved faithful to reach and redeem these Burmese tribes, in His time.
Friend, as we continue to share the good news, let's remember that the Lord initiates the work of redemption -- and that we need to stay focused on the job at hand, and continue to labor in the harvest fields. The seed we've planted in patience, will soon bear fruit; so let us not grow weary in well doing, for we shall reap if we faint not!
Your family in the Lord with much agape love,
George, Baht Rivka, Obadiah and Elianna (Missouri)
(Baltimore, Maryland)
Editor's Note: During this war, we have been live blogging throughout the day -- sometimes minute by minute on our Telegram channel. Be sure to check it out!
Editor's Note: We are planning our summer Tour so if you would like us to minister at your congregation, home fellowship, or Israel focused event, be sure to let us know ASAP. You can send an email to george [ @ ] worthyministries.com for more information.
Christians Suffering Shortages of Medicines In Lebanon
Hundreds of Christian families in Lebanon have received medicines, but thousands more still await securing medication, Christian aid workers told Worthy News.
Olympics Committee Issues Gender Guidelines; Christians Worried
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has ordered media to be careful when addressing athletes by gender or marital status ahead of the Olympics in Paris this summer, Worthy News learned late Wednesday.
Hungary, NATO Reach Deal On Ukraine
Hungary’s prime minister said Wednesday he had agreed with the NATO military alliance chief that his nation won’t participate in the defense of Ukraine.
Russian Nuclear-Capable Submarine and Missile Frigate Sail Within 30 Miles of Florida in Military Drill
A Russian flotilla including a nuclear-capable submarine and a missile frigate passed within 30 miles of Florida in the United States on Tuesday as it sailed to Cuba during a pre-announced military exercise, the Miami Herald reports.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Blinken Criticizes Hamas Response to Israeli Offer, Calls Some Changes ‘Unworkable’
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken harshly criticized Hamas’s response to Israel’s hostage deal proposal, stating that it included impractical changes and suggesting that if Hamas maintains its current stance, it will be responsible for prolonging the war.
Hezbollah Fires Unprecedently Large Barrage of Missiles at Northern Israel
Soon after Israel announced preparations for an anticipated “broader military conflict” with Hezbollah, the Iran-backed Islamic terrorist group launched 160 missiles - its largest single barrage to date - at northern Israel towns on Wednesday morning, Ynet News reports. The particularly large barrage of missiles was launched on the first day of Shavuot (Feast of Weeks), a Biblical holiday celebrated in Israel.
Inside the United States
House Votes to Hold AG Merrick Garland in Contempt of Congress
The U.S. House of Representatives voted Wednesday to hold United States Attorney General Merrick Garland in contempt of Congress over Garland’s refusal to turn over audio recordings of interviews between President Joe Biden and former special counsel Robert Hur related to a classified documents investigation.
Baltimore Shipping Channel Reopens After 11-Week Closure Due to Bridge Collapse
Authorities expect commercial shipping traffic through the Port of Baltimore to return to normal levels soon. This follows the full reopening of the channel this week, marking the first time it has been open since the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge approximately 11 weeks ago.
Texas Wins First Round in Battle Over Title IX Lawsuit
A federal court on Tuesday handed Texas its first win in a lawsuit filed against the Biden administration over a mandate issued by two federal agencies before the administration amended Title IX to redefine biological sex to include “sexual orientation” and “gender identity.”
Federal Court Blocks Florida’s Ban on Sex Change Treatments for Minors
A federal court on Tuesday blocked Florida’s ban on sex-change treatments for minors with similar restrictions for adults on the grounds that the legislation is unconstitutional, Forbes reports.
Christian News
U.S. Megachurch Pastor Resigns Over “Sin”
Tony Evans, the U.S. pastor and author who built one of the largest mainly African American evangelical churches in the United States, says he is stepping down due to a “sin” years ago.
China: Christian Taken Into Custody for Posting Commemoration of Tiananmen Square Massacre
An evangelical Christian in south-west China was arrested and detained earlier this month after he commemorated the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre in a social media post, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports. The massacre took place on Jun. 2, 1989, when the ruling Chinese Communist Party used military force to kill hundreds of pro-democracy protestors.
DRC: Islamic Terrorists Murder Nine in Village Attack, “A Trail of Sorrow and Despair”
Terrorists with the Islamist rebel Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) murdered nine people in a devastating attack on a village in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) on Saturday, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports.