Worthy Brief - 9/13/2017
Friend, learn to wait!
Psalm 27:13-14 I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord In the land of the living. Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord!
After the destruction of Hurricane Irma, nearly 6 million people in the state of Florida are without electricity. For the first time, teens in Florida are preparing to live without any electricity, and (can you even imagine) – without a cell phone! For the first time in their lives, they enjoyed the privilege of experiencing what life was like decades ago. Forced to slow down, unable to text or "Facebook", everyone who lost power entered a "moment" of technological communication silence, and they waited anxiously for the powers that be to restore their normal life patterns. How many actually enjoyed this, or found some kind of relief from the tyranny of communication technology, I wonder? How many actually took any time out to “wait on the Lord”? I have to wonder if the Almighty had much more company than He was used to during this time. I kind of hope so...
The above passage speaks of "losing heart" except for the expectation of faith in the goodness of YHVH. How long could you go without electrical power before you might begin to "lose heart"? At what point would "waiting on the Lord" become your only source of hope or encouragement? How much, really, do we depend on earthly power? And how much on the power of God? Webster’s definition of "wait", is “to stay or rest in". It's a quiet place of abiding. And this kind of waiting is expectant, because in it you are awakening your conscious relationship with the God of Creation, and you have every reason to expect His comfort, love, and restorative power to flow from your communion with Him.
But for many of us, it's hard to enter silence, isn't it? So when the power goes off, we fidget until it's restored.
Friend, is your heart weak and your earthly strength just about dried up? The word says, "Be of good courage, and wait on the Lord"; there is power and courage to be received simply by waiting on Him. Having experienced it countless times I can tell you confidently, He will renew your strength, encourage and prepare you for whatever comes next. So I say, again, “Wait on the Lord!”
Your family in the Lord with much agape love,
George, Baht Rivka, Elianna & Obadiah
Arad, Israel
U.S. Threatens to Cutoff China, Russia for Undermining Sanctions Against North Korea
The Trump administration on Tuesday threatened to cutoff from the U.S. financial system Chinese and Russian companies helping North Korea smuggle coal overseas to circumvent international sanctions on Pyongyang's nuclear activities.
Radioactive gas found after North’s nuke test
South Korea says it has found a small amount of radioactive element from air samples it collected following North Korea’s latest nuclear test.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Israel to occupy parts of south Lebanon in next conflict with Hezbollah
In the event of another war with Hezbollah, the IDF’s objective would be to occupy parts of southern Lebanon where the group has support and infrastructure and to force a UN resolution that improves the security situation on the northern border, a senior IDF officer said on Monday.
Trump and Netanyahu to meet on sidelines of UN confab, US confirms
US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will meet in New York next week on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, a US official confirmed on Tuesday.
State Department won't ask Israel to return $75 million in aid
Secretary of State Rex Tillerson's team won't attempt to claw back $75 million in U.S. aid provided to Israel, a department official confirmed Tuesday.
Hamas ready to reconcile with Fatah with no conditions
Ismail Haniyeh, political chief of Hamas, said the organization is ready to talk reconciliation with the rival government of Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas without preconditions.
Inside the United States
Trashing Trump: Broadcast coverage of the president now 91% negative, say analysts
The trash talk, criticism and negative narratives continue. Much of the news media continues to offer coverage which is both hostile and biased against President Trump and his administration. Case in point: a wide-reaching new study from the Media Research Center finds that 91 percent of the recent coverage which aired on ABC, CBS and NBC has been negative.
House Passes Amendment to Block Funding of Sessions Civil Asset Forfeiture Program
The House of Representatives passed an amendment Tuesday which blocks funding of a controversial program reimplemented by Attorney General Jeff Sessions.
25 percent of Florida Keys homes are gone after Irma, FEMA estimates
With 25 percent of the homes in the Florida Keys feared destroyed, emergency workers Tuesday rushed to find Hurricane Irma's victims -- dead or alive -- and deliver food and water to the stricken island chain.
Lights still out for 5.8 million U.S. customers after Irma
Some 5.8 million homes and businesses in Florida and nearby states still had no power on Tuesday after the pummeling from Hurricane Irma, as utility companies scrambled to get the lights back on in one of the biggest power restoration efforts in U.S. history.
Christian News
Over 250 Protestant Leaders Sign 'Reforming Catholic Confession' on Essentials of Christian Faith
Over 250 prominent scholars, pastors, and church leaders from around the world released on Tuesday a theological statement affirming the essentials of the Reformation. And its Protestant authors contend that in this 500th anniversary year, the document is a 'catholic' statement in its best sense.
U.S. judge tells Christian churches they must cover abortion in insurance plan
A federal judge told three Christian congregations in California that they have no case in wanting to opt out of the state’s requirement that they cover abortions through their health insurance plans.