Scripture: Jeremiah 22 v 3
"Thus saith the Lord; Execute ye judgment and
righteousness, and deliver the spoiled out of the hand of the oppressor: and do
no wrong, do no violence to the stranger, the fatherless, nor the widow,
neither shed innocent blood in this place."
As I was waiting on the Lord for His guidance for today's
Bible Study He gave me this verse and I also had a sense of His sadness and
anger at people who do wrong and are violent against the innocent in our
society.
The latest horrific and mindless terror attack in Westgate
Mall in Kenya is not far from my mind; as well as a documentary called
"Crimes That Shook Britain" where these drugged teenagers kicked a
father to death in front of his daughters, and on trial they mocked and laughed
at the court until their long sentences were handed down. Then they cried.
These are prominent cases of violence and shedding of
innocent blood. Most go on unseen as people are raped, murdered, stabbed, shot,
beaten and oppressed in all countries every day. In South Africa its the norm
and those who are meant to keep law and order are often the worst offenders.
Stats this week show that in just KZNatal province last
year there were nearly 15000 pregnant schoolgirls, nearly half under the age of
14; some as young as 8 or 9 years old. No wonder our Hiv/AIDS victims have
reached 5,000,000 leaving more than 2 million orphans. No wonder Jesus is sad
and angry. We should be too.
This scripture was delivered to the Jews some 3000 years
ago but is just as applicable to each one of us today.
The Christian life changes us into caring, compassionate,
loving people who live in peace with one another and are considerate towards
others. Our base sins are forgiven and we are changed into the likeness of
Jesus day by day. We have to overcome our carnal, fleshly nature to walk in the
light with Him.
No murderer has eternal life in him. (1 John 3 v 13 -
14). Murder is a product of hate, fuelled by Jealousy or covetousness,
unleashed by drugs or alcohol or religious dementia. Murder of innocents is either
hot and passionate or cold and calculating but the reward is eternity in hell.
In the past few years there have been a number of
gruesome satanic murders and sacrifices. This week one 15 year old girl
confessed to killing her 15 year old friend on orders from her coven. The
friend had backed away and was killed so she would not talk about the members
and activities of these satanists.
We cannot hide our heads in the sand and pretend satan is
a myth. Its his best lie. A comic figure - Hotstuff the good little devil. He
is not. Jesus called him the god of this world. Jesus was tempted by him in the
wilderness. Jesus cast out many demons and gave us the tools to do likewise.
Jesus says there is no way to the Father except through
Him. This means that every other way or religion is contrary to Him and to
finding Heaven. Therefore realise that their gods are manifestations of demons
that will hate true Christians.
We must be alert for ourselves and our children to be
protected against the wiles of the enemy through the huge wide door called the
Internet. We must be aware of what our children are accessing on the Net.
Children are also affected by violence in the home when
parents fight and argue and put one another down. We must love one another and
support one another in dignity and truth.
They are not mature enough to detect predators on the Net
or lurking near schools, and need your guidance. So let us heed the words God
spoke to Jeremiah and take them to heart. Let us put them into practice in our
own lives and pray for others to follow the right ways of our Lord.
Prayer: Father God
we live in a violent age and we thank You for reminding us of how we are meant
to live. Let us be examples to Your flock and help others to know how to
overcome their base nature. In Jesus' name. Amen.