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."
Reading this verse I had a sense of the Lord's sadness and anger at people who do wrong, especially violence against the innocent in our society. Today is Women's Day, a holiday, in a nation where GBV, Gendaer Based Violence, is a serious problem.The new sensational movie, Sound of Freedom, is a true story about the plight of children taken captive for sexual abusers to utterly destroy them.
Matthew 18 v 1 - 6: "At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?
2 And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them,
3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
5 And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.
6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea."
If there is no justice available on this planet because so many judges are compromised, like those who frequented Epstein's Love Island, and other sin havens, then our God, the Father of all humans, will mete out the final punishment. Better they get drowned in the sea before they get to Love Island.
The horrific and mindless terror attacks on Nigerian schoolgirls by the terrorists of Boko Haram who want sex, or even wives, is not far from my mind. They apply Islamic rules to these Christian girls who are forced to reject Jesus for Allah. Let us pray for these crimes to cease. For the perpetrators to repent and be converted. It's the only way we have to save them.
In an episode of a documentary called "Crimes That Shook Britain", these drugged teenagers kicked a father to death in front of his daughters. On trial they mocked and laughed at the court until their long sentences were handed down. Then they cried. There needs to be more and heavier sentences for such evil.
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 show that in just KZNatal province last year there were nearly 15000 pregnant schoolgirls, 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.
Mothers force their young daughters to get pregnant because each new child gets a monthly grant from the government. When there is no work, no food nor any hope in sight the poor grab whatever straw in on offer. New law being debated. The grant will only be for the first child.
The Christian life changes us into caring, helpful, 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. We need to pick up the fallen.
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, 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. 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. Demons are Satan's army sent by him to destroy mankind.
Every time mankind opens a door of sin we are inviting demons into our minds, bodies and souls. They start out as a itch that needs scratching until they have full control. One drink can lead to full blown alcoholism. One drug can lead to addiction. With these demons within our souls its no longer what we take into our bodies but how the demons in our souls react to it. They turn the human into a wrecking ball. Then back off when he is holding a bloody knife over a corpse.
Terrorists are just gangs of violent demons accelerating violence and death. Corrupt Governments are just stronger ruling spirits operating through sinful flesh to keep power as long as possible, robbing the poor to enrich their lifestyles. Communism is more and more popular because they have no God to answer too. Not here on Earth anyway.
Only Christians baptized in the Holy Spirit with His gifts in operation have the power to confront Satan's army. We have the authority, weapons and gifts to send these demons back to Hell. It's a gruelling job at times but the rewards of deliverance are seeing the captives set free.
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. And Jews. Antisemitism is a growing evil that will be met by a just and holy God, here and now, plus later before the Great White Throne.
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. On their phones, tablets and laptops.
Children are also affected by violence in the home when parents fight, 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: Heavenly Father 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.