Challenge to the Word!

But I will turn Jerusalem into a heavy stone that crushes anyone who tries to lift it.

When all nations on earth surround Jerusalem,  I will blind every horse and make them panic, and every rider will be confused. But at the same time, I will watch over Judah.

Then every clan in Judah will realize that I, the [Lord] All-Powerful, am their God, and that I am the source of their strength.

At that time I will let the clans of Judah be like a ball of fire in a wood pile or a fiery torch in a hay stack. Then Judah will send the surrounding nations up in smoke. And once again the city of Jerusalem will be filled with people.

But I will first give victory to Judah, so the kingdom of David and the city of Jerusalem in all of their glory won't be thought of more highly than Judah itself.  I, the [Lord] God, will protect Jerusalem. Even the weakest person there will be as strong as David, and David's kingdom will rule as though my very own angel were its leader.

I am determined to wipe out every nation that attacks Jerusalem.

Zechariah 12:3-9

Like the "Big Bad Wolf" in the children's story they "Huff and Puff" and threaten to destroy Jerusalem. The fascination with and anger at Israel is really amazing. Why not just leave them alone? Israel is just a tiny spot of land compared to the Arab Middle East. And yet, it seems that most of the fundamental Islamic world is focused on destroying Israel.

These words in the Old Testament prophetic book of Zechariah serve as a certain warning to any nation bold enough to come against Jerusalem. God says, "I am determined to wipe out every nation that attacks Jerusalem."

The new President of Egypt has recently declared that there will be an Arab United States and that Jerusalem will be it's capital city.

I suppose we may soon see if the prophetic Word of God will be challenged and how God will respond.

But, for me I am tempted to challenge God's Word every day in my own life. I read the Bible and say in my heart, "Surely, that doesn't apply to me and my life." And so I step out on the quicksand of disobedience to the Bible's clear message and then wonder why I am sinking!

"Lord, help me to believe Your every Word without exception. Help me to take You at Your Word and never challenge it in my heart or in my life. Come quickly, Lord Jesus! Amen."