Daily devotion – Jerusalem and the Australian govt.
The Australian government has retracted its support for Jerusalem being recognized as Israel’s capital today. The foreign minister Penny Wong today spoke about it on the media saying that Australia now only supported a two-state system in Israel and would not consider Jerusalem as Israel’s capital as it was too divisive in its policy.
This is a tragic move for our nation but one we probably should have expected in these Last Days. For Israel will stand alone in the Last Days and part of this is that their reliance will shift ultimately and finally to God alone!
As Christians we are to be students of the Bible and the time in which we are now living, which is being unveiled before our eyes as we draw close to the Rapture of the Church, the Great Tribulation and the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. What repercussions does our governments change of stance mean for us?
Genesis 12:1 Now the LORD had said to Abram: “Get out of your country, From your family And from your father’s house, To a land that I will show you. 2 I will make you a great nation; I will bless you And make your name great; And you shall be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
Our government’s decision, according to this passage, does not bring blessing to Australia. It brings the opposite!
In the Book of Zechariah which we just finished in our Wednesday evening studies, all nations which had gone against Israel, including Australia, will be called, in the millenium, to the very city that it denies the right to be Israel’s capital – Zechariah 14:16 And it shall come to pass that everyone who is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the Feast of Tabernacles. 17 And it shall be that whichever of the families of the earth do not come up to Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, on them there will be no rain.
Though I am deeply saddened by our governments blatant disregard for Israel and its right to stand alone as a nation, or to recognize Jerusalem as its capital, I am reminded of how foolish politicians are in their assumption of power and decision making.
Psalm 2: 1 Why are the nations so angry? Why do they waste their time with futile plans? 2 The kings of the earth prepare for battle;
the rulers plot together against the LORD and against his anointed one. 3 “Let us break their chains,” they cry, “and free ourselves from slavery to God.” 4 But the one who rules in heaven laughs. The Lord scoffs at them. 5 Then in anger he rebukes them, terrifying them with his fierce fury. 6 For the Lord declares, “I have placed my chosen king on the throne in Jerusalem, on my holy mountain.”
In the meantime, the Bible commands us to pray for our leaders and this we should do with all our hearts, that they will have their eyes opened to God’s Word and His authority.
1 Timothy 2:1 Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,
Jesus is coming soon!