His ways; our ways!

Sometimes, I have these posts prepared a week, or more, in advance. However, this is one of those occasions when my own mind has been reeling with the reports, and pictures, from the land of Israel, during the callous, and indiscriminate, killing and kidnapping spree, on Saturday 7th, by the terrorist organisation Hamas - whose leader, by the way, is reportedly safely in Qatar, while his daughter is receiving treatment in an Israeli hospital -!!! Did someone say "Cowardice, and hypocrisy"?

I have a dear Jewish friend, a retired General Practitioner, who spends approximately half of the year in his home in Glasgow, and the other half in an apartment in Netanya just about 30 km. (less than 20 miles) away from Tel Aviv I am never sure where he is at any particular time, but have e-mailed him expressing my hope that he is safe and well. These events that take place a long way from home, are always made more stark when one has a personal connection with someone who may be involved. Along with most of those who were of an age of discernment at the time, I recall "9/11". However, shocked as I was, the reality didn't come home to me until I discovered that a friend died in one of the Twin Towers! The situation, and the satanic actions, in Israel on "7/10" are real to me because a friend may have been affected [thankfully, he has responded, and is well).

So what can one say about that dreadful, bloodthirsty, and evil attack? There are certainly questions that may be asked. The Children of Israel are, according to the written Word of God, the Chosen people of YHWH. Why did He not intervene in this atrocity? Why did He not stop those demonic terrorists in their bloodlust? Why were small children beheaded and burned alive?

My former minister, spiritual mentor, and personal friend, the late Rev. George B. Duncan, was sometimes heard to say: "If I knew everything about God, I would be God!" That is true. The prophet, Isaiah utters these words of YHWH: "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, says YHWH. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts." (55:8-9). While Paul writes to the early disciples of Yeshua, in Rome, in similar vein: "O the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and how inscrutable His ways! “For who has known the mind of YHWH, or who has been His counselor?” “Or who has given a gift to Him that He might be repaid?”" (11:33-35).

The book of Job, in the First Testament, is an interesting book that provides some insight to the undoubted problem of suffering. Job is described as a man who "... was blameless and upright, one who feared God, and turned away from evil." (1:1). Now there's a man who, surely, deserved the total protection of YHWH! Yet, as we read on, we discover that he becomes a man who suffers greatly - and YHWH permits it!

That is the key word - "permits"! Theologians speak of the two wills of Almighty God - His Sovereign will and His Permissive will. Without going into too much detail, His Sovereign will refers to all that He has ordained; all over which He fully exerts control, including, of course, all things that were, are, and will be. He does all He pleases all the time. English pastor, theologian, and author, Arthur Pink (1886-1952) appropriately says:

“Subject to none, influenced by none, absolutely independent: God does as He pleases, only as He pleases, always as He pleases. None can thwart Him, none can hinder Him. So His own Word expressly declares: “My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure” (Isa. 46;10).” (The Attributes of God by Arthur Pink, p. 3).

The Permissive will of God may be seen in the experience of Job. This good man suffered, not for any wrongdoing in himself - although, like each one of us, he was a sinner - but because Father God was showing the satan (the adversary, the root of all evil) that Job's faith was solid and real.

Another useful passage to read is Psalm 3, composed by King David when he fled from his own son, Absalom. In that situation, he faced a kind of betrayal that cuts deeper than any other - the betrayal of a family member. This post is already long enough, but permit me to make just a brief comment on David's words - and encourage you to read Ps.3 for yourself.

The opening verses capture a feeling of despair and desolation. David acknowledges the multitudes that stand against him, who doubt his deliverance through God. Last Saturday’s brutal onslaught was a betrayal of the fundamental principles of humanity. As the demonic terrorists ruthlessly took innocent lives, the nation, much like David, felt overwhelmed, surrounded on all sides by hatred and violence. Just as David’s adversaries doubted his deliverance through God, Israel's enemies question and test the survival and resilience of the Israeli people.

However, the psalm does not remain in this space of despair. It moves from lamentation to a profound expression of faith. David speaks of God as a protective shield. “I lie down and sleep and wake again, for YHWH sustains me.” (v.5). These words not only reflect David’s trust in God amidst his personal crisis but also encapsulate the Israeli spirit. Despite the terror, life goes on. People still sleep, wake, and continue with their daily tasks, relying on the sustenance and protection of HaShem, their protective shield.

In these trying times, Psalm 3 reminds us of the indomitable spirit of the Israeli people and their unwavering faith in the face of adversity. Just as David emerged from his trials with renewed faith and strength, Israel, too, will emerge from this crisis stronger, united, and with an even deeper connection to their people, their faith, and their God.

May those of us who love Israel, and her people, be faithful in upholding them in prayer, and supporting them in whatever way we can.

m

Am Yisrael chai.

I've done it again!

It is some time since I have had anything new to add to my C.V.!!! However, having been banned from commenting, reacting, posting good wishes to Facebook friends who were celebrating their birthdays, or even responding to personal messages for, this time, a seven day period, I feel that I may now include that particular accolade! At least, this time, I know that I am in good company! David Robertson has reported that no less a personage than Prof. Donald Macleod, former professor of Systematic Theology at the Free Church College, Edinburgh, and Principal for more than ten years, had also been banned! David also mentioned in last week's Quantum ("The Wee Flea podcast"), that Google and Apple had banned an 'app' because it cited John 3:16 and was "of no lasting value"! So much for the "free speech" for which most 'western' countries were, at one time, well-known.

As far as Facebook is concerned, Prof. Macleod had the temerity to voice some sympathy for Rev. Richard Cameron, minister of Scotstoun Parish Church, in Glasgow who, himself, has been suspended from his pastoral and parochial duties, by the Church of Scotland, for having publicly asked Jeremy Corbyn, leader of the UK Labour Party, "Who's going to be the first terrorist invited to the Commons when you're Prime Minister?" Given Mr Corbyn's well-publicised links with a number of terrorist movements, this does not seem, to me, to be an unreasonable question to ask. Thankfully, I do not believe that Mr Corbyn will ever enter 10 Downing Street as its tenant!

The Professor went on to state: "I am perfectly happy to let the LGBT community have their say. I am not happy that they should have a jealously-guarded right to monopolise the discourse, and I'm certainly not happy to concede the new dogma that the only wickedness is to question LGBT-ism. Christians, too, must have their say, and people should not lose their jobs because they are weak or off-message on such issues as homosexuality, bi-sexuality, trans-sexuality, or transgenderism." 

He continues: "Nor should we close our eyes and ears to where the gagging is actually leading. For example:

• If you are known to have reservations about the chosen lifestyle of LGBTs, you will not be allowed to be a teacher, a social worker, a parish minister, or a university professor.
• You will be barred from serving as a Member of Parliament, a Member of the Scottish Parliament, a local Councillor, or a member of the Judiciary.
• You will be ineligible for selection as an international sportsman (or, indeed, from participation in professional sport at any level).
• You will never secure employment with any charity.
• You'll never get a job with the BBC."

Please note that the Professor is not claiming that these conditions currently exist. Only that they are the almost inevitable outcome of the direction in which we are travelling. His complete article is well worth reading, and may be accessed at https://www.donaldmacleod.org.uk/dm/new-blog-post-4/  (copy and paste).

For myself, I again commented, critically, on a report regarding the 'marriage' of adult Muslim males - some very old indeed - to children as young as six years of age, and the particular reported comment by an imam that the hot weather made it more acceptable! The terms I used were terms that I have used many times before, without any comeback. However, this time ... ... !!!

Part of my reason for commenting was my (totally appropriate!) love for children, and my desire to protect them from any harm. This "child marriage" situation fills me with disgust, and I would cheerfully castrate any male (the word "man" does not seem, to me, to be appropriate) who wished to assault a child in this way. Just a few weeks ago there was a report of a girl of six, or eight, years of age who had died from internal bleeding caused by the penetrative sexual intercourse to which her adult "husband" had submitted her on their wedding night! I am, by both nature and belief, a non-violent person. However, give me 30 mins with that murderer ... ... !!!

It may be that Facebook will place a permanent ban on me, at some time. Not a problem - I shall then open a new account! However, it is sad that one cannot speak freely because these censors are checking every word we type. However, I'm back for the time being. Apologies, again, for having missed so much, and so many. I shall try to be a slightly better boy for the foreseeable future (but no promises!).

Truth - the first casualty of conflict!

The following has been received from my good friend in Israel. It is unlikely that anyone will learn of it in the MSM!

“Hypocrisy and lies fuelled by an obsessive hatred for Israel”,  is Benjamin Netanyahu’s description of United Nations Human Rights Council’s condemnation of Israel.

Ravid Elfassi, who served as served as an officer in the IDF’s Golani Brigade was given 90 seconds,  yes  just  90  seconds,  to  present  Israel’s  case  before  the  UN  HRC.   He  spoke  on  behalf of the  

organisation:“MyTruth”.   

     

In his 90 seconds he said the following:

“The hardest lesson that I learned during my military career was that while we put our lives on the line to protect our families and children, Hamas and other terror organizations use their own children as human shields and cannon fodder,” said Ravid Elfassi at the council in Geneva. “This is not an isolated event. It’s their standard operating procedure.”

My Truth collects signed testimonies and photographs from combat operations between 2004-2018 in the West Bank and Gaza Strip that attest to the use of human shields and other human rights violations by Hamas and other terror groups.

Elfassi only had 90 seconds to present his testimony to the council, but in the short amount of time he was given, he told the council of salaries paid to Palestinian terrorists sitting in Israeli jails by the Palestinian Authority and the murder of the Fogel family, who were killed by a Palestinian terrorist in their home in 2011.

“It has been said that terrorism in the eyes of one person is a freedom fighter in the eyes of another, but how can you consider yourself a freedom fighter, for stabbing a three-month-old baby, Hadas Fogel, in front of her parents? How can someone call himself a Jihadi, a “holy” warrior, for taking the life of a child? These are the fanatics who we as IDF soldiers are fighting against on a daily basis,” he said.

Elfassi, who continues to serve as a combat officer in his reserve duty, also spoke of the use of women and children as human shields by Hamas – a tactic the group continues to use to this day during the weekly, violent Great March of Return.

“In 2007, I was sent on a mission in Gaza to seek out a Hamas squad which was launching rockets at Israeli cities. With my own eyes, I witnessed as Hamas sent out six- and seven-year-old children to search for me and my men. When these children found us, Hamas opened heavy fire using AK-47s and RPGs, while the children were still between us and them,” Elfassi said of an incident he witnessed during his IDF service.

“If the United Nations truly wishes to investigate terrorism and human rights, I implore you to look at the My Truth report, which details the use of human shields by terror organizations,” he said. “If so, you might better understand the reality that we as IDF soldiers confront – and which is too often neglected by this forum.”

My Truth, which days earlier spoke at a panel at the United Nations along UN Watch and NGO Monitor, has documented dozens of testimonies from former combat soldiers, including several who just recently finished their military service and were posted along the Gaza border fence during the Great Return Marches.

On Friday the UNHCR voted to adopt a report accusing Israel of human rights violations, including war crimes, for its response to violent riots and attacks as part of the weekly Great March of Return along the Gaza border fence.

The Council’s 40th session voted by a margin of 23 to 8, with 15 abstentions and one absence to adopt the 252-page report conducted by the Commission of Inquiry which claims that 183 Palestinians, including 35 children, have been killed in the clashes, and that the majority were unarmed.

My life is in Your hands.

The recent abduction, by Boko Haram Islamist terrorists, of between 200 and 300 teenage girls, in Nigeria, has caught the attention of the world-wide community - and rightly so.  However, this is merely one atrocity committed by this group of evil, and violent, men.   Regretfully, they are not even the only group that targets, in particular, Christian communities.  Another group comes from the Fulani tribe - who would also claim to be Muslims.

Kumaga Agini is a young Nigerian mother, struggling to get her life together again.  Her husband was shot, and killed, earlier this year in a raid on their village by Fulani militants.  She, and her two young children, now live with relatives, dependent on their charity.

The Fulani had attacked the predominantly Christian village, in central Nigeria, determined to burn it, and to kill anyone who got in their way.  Kumaga's husband managed to take his family to safety, but then returned to collect their meagre possessions.  Sadly, he was spotted by the raiders, and shot.  When he fell to the ground, the brutal attackers mutilated his dead body, before throwing it inside the house, to which they then set fire.

Kumaga is one of many people displaced from villages in the north of Benue State as a result of attacks by Fulani.  Although herdsmen by background, the Fulani have been armed with sophisticated weaponry - prompting many to believe that they are being supported, and encouraged, by Boko Haram, or even by other Islamic extremist groups outwith Nigeria.  Living conditions for such families - who are now, effectively, refugees in their own country - are often desperate.  However, Kumaga readily witnesses to the consolation that she finds in her Christian faith, regardless of the circumstances!  She finds strength in singing, and her favourite is a song entitled Lord, my life is in Your hands. 

This young woman, and countless others like her, are a challenge to many in the "West" who claim to be disciples of Jesus, but whose lives tell a different story.  If you pray, please remember these dear brothers and sisters before the throne of grace.

Nelson Mandela

The major news item, all day today, has been the death of Nelson Mandela.  Mr Mandela has been a very significant figure on the world stage since his release from prison in 1990.  He was instrumental in bringing apartheid to an end, and was the first indigenous President of South Africa.

Tributes have been flowing in from all over the world, as well as from within South Africa, and one would not deny that many of them are well-deserved.  However ... ... ...!!

As news of Mr Mandela's death broke, hundreds of South Africans filled the streets around his home in the upmarket Johannesburg suburb of Houghton, many singing songs of tribute, and dancing.  One, reportedly, carried a sign saying: "He will rule the universe with God." .    Others have spoken of him as having been "the saviour of South Africa", and many have commented on his capacity to forgive.

In just a couple of weeks' time, much of the world will celebrate Christmas.  For many, that celebration will be more of a 'winterfest' than anything else.  However, there will be those who will remember that, over 2,000 years ago, Almighty God, the Creator and Sustainer of all that exists, entered our time-space continuum as a human child, in an obscure little country on the edge of the Roman empire.  "Veiled in flesh the Godhead see; Hail! the incarnate Deity."   And that was not the end of the story.  Because that Child grew to manhood and, after a public ministry of about three years, was crucified by the Roman authorities, at the instigation of the Jewish hierarchy.

This was, of course, the Man known as Jesus of Nazareth, the Christ, the Messiah.  It is He, and He alone, Who will rule the universe with the Father (see Rev.5:13, inter al); He, and He alone, is the Saviour of South Africa - and of the whole world (John 3:16-17); He was able to say - as He hung on that cross, aware that He had only to say the word, and the Father would send more than twelve legions of angels to rescue Him (Matt.26:53) - "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do." (Luke 23:34).

Some, who have not been caught up in the adulation of the late Mr Mandela, have pointed out that he had been a terrorist (remembering that one man's terrorist is another man's 'freedom fighter'!), and that we should be remembering those for whose deaths he was, directly or indirectly, responsible.  However, when it comes to Jesus, He alone was able to ask even His enemies: "Which of you convicts me of sin?" (John 8:46).  Even one of those crucified alongside Him recognised this: "One of the criminals who were hanged railed at Him, saying, "Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!"  But the other rebuked him, saying, "Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation?  And we indeed justly; for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong."  And he said, "Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom."  And He said to him, "Truly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise." (Luke 23:39-43; emphasis added).

Two other things need to be emphasised.  The first is that death could not hold Jesus.  He rose from the dead, victorious over it, and hell, and the grave.  The second is that He is coming again.  There will be a second advent - perhaps much sooner than many expect - when He will come, not as a human infant, but as King of kings, and Lord of lords.

May all who access this blog "... abide in Him, so that when He appears we may have confidence and not shrink from Him in shame at His coming." (I John 2:28).

They're only Christians!

I telephoned the BBC this evening (Monday)!  It's not something that I do with any frequency, but I was - to say the least - very angry!

Watching the 6 o'clock T.V. News, I was provided with further information about the dreadful attack, in Nairobi, Kenya, when members of the militant Somali, al Qaeda-linked, Islamist Group al Shabaab ("the lads"!) launched their indiscriminate attack on shoppers in a mall, that resulted in, the deaths of at least 62 people and the wounding of over 200 others, since the brutal attack began on Saturday.  In common, I would hope,with all right-minded people, my heart goes out to the bereaved and the injured, and I trust that both the Kenyan and Somalian governments deal quickly with one of the most ruthless of all of the Islamist terrorist groups operating in these days.

However, the very next item on the programme concerned the, as yet unfounded, charges made against entertainer, Rolf Harris!  In vain, I waited to be informed of the latest news of an even greater terrorist atrocity.  At least 83 people were murdered in a double suicide bombing at All Saints Church in Peshawar, Pakistan.  Around 130 people were wounded, some of them critically.  Many of those killed and injured were children.  The Pakistani Taliban (Islamist) claimed responsibility for the attack, stating that: "They [Christians] are the enemies of Islam, therefore we target them. We will continue our attacks on non-Muslims on Pakistani land."

In Kenya, the attack took place in what has been described as a popular upmarket shopping mall. Indeed, Westgate Shopping Centre described itself as Nairobi's premier shopping mall - a "first world interior"… " where local and international shoppers feel at home". Its 80 stores included Adidas, Nike, pizza restaurants and the four floors (350,000 sq feet) centred around a waterfall. It is, according to some news reports, where the affluent of Kenyan society are to be seen - both the indigenous population, and international visitors.

By contrast, All Saints Church served a congregation of fairly ordinary Pakistani believers - indeed, many of them were reportedly receiving a free meal in the grounds of the church building when the cowardly attack took place.

Could it be that the media are simply less concerned about those who were targeted because of their religious beliefs, than with those who were caught up in an attack because they were out buying designer clothing, and purchasing 'western' fast food?

Thank God, that He is concerned with each and every one of us.  "For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. He who believes in Him is not condemned; he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the Name of the only Son of God." (John 3:16-18)

Surely not because she's a Christian???

I have never watched the X Factor programme - apart from the occasional clip that makes it on to the national news!  However, the furore that has erupted after one of the 'judges' - a Ms Cheryl Cole (whom I would not recognise if I met her in the street!) rejected a young lady named Gamu Nhengu has ensured that I knew something about this 18-year-old girl.  It was when I saw her photograph in a newspaper that I realised that she looked familiar.  It only took minutes to recall why.  I had been sent a video-clip from the 2009 Praise Gathering in Glasgow.  This is an overtly Christian event and there, as a soloist, was the (then 17-year-old) girl from Tillicoultry - singing her heart out for the Lord Jesus.

The latest news is that she, and her mother, and her two brothers, having lived legally in the U.K. for, apparently, eight years, during which time the mother gained a nursing qualification from the University of Stirling, have been told that their visas will not be renewed, and that they must leave the country to return to their native Zimbabwe.

It makes me wonder why so many from the Islamic community, who live in this country - many at the expense of the British taxpayer - are not given the same kind of ultimatum!  I'm not referring, of course, to the law-abiding majority, but to the highly vociferous, substantial minority like, for example, the Muslim extremists who branded homecoming British soldiers 'murderers', 'rapists', 'terrorists', and 'baby killers', as they marched through the streets of Luton.  They faced a maximum fine of £1,000 but were instead handed two-year conditional discharges and ordered to pay £500 each towards costs.   Muslim cleric, Abu Hamza, who has already been convicted of inciting religious hatred here, recently managed to persuade the European Court to delay his extradition from Britain to stand trial for terrorism-related offences in the US.

Prime Minister David Cameron has been talking a lot about a 'fair society'. Perhaps he could intervene in this case, and let his actions speak as loudly as his words!  If the law-abiding immigrant is to leave, then let's also get rid of those who seem to want only to abuse our hospitality - and our benefit system!