Lightness of being #37 The grand bargain (26 Feb 2014)
Dear....
I love the Lord, because he hath heard
my voice and my supplications.
Because he hath inclined his ear unto me,
therefore will I call upon him as long as I live.
Psalms 116:1-2
The "Grand Bazaar," that famous marketplace in Istanbul. My daughter was in Istanbul last week, but had no opportunity to experience the touristic sights. Our good Lord decided that airport hotels and police holding cells would provide a deeper transforming experience than the usual gawking areas.
The "Grand Bargain,", a deal struck in 1945 by US President Franklin Roosevelt with Saudi King Ibn Saud. It is widely believed that in exchange for American recognition and protection, the House of Saud, the ruling family in Saudi Arabia will ensure a steady supply of the devil's brew to whet the voracious energy appetite of the great Satan( at least that is what the Iranians call America).
But with the natural shale gas boom, an increasing oil independent USA is today, decidedly less enamored with its Saudi bedfellows, as seen by President Obama's dalliance with the Ayatollahs from Iran. This could open the door for a new Middle East war in the near future.
Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it:
except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.
Psalms 127:1
Adam, in disobedience to God's command cut the very first deal for all humanity.
Dr Faustus might be a work of fiction. But he epitomizes the sorry state all humanity continue to find themselves mired in. The pursuit of temporal treasures of this sinful world, in exchange for our soul, which will be vested together with the devil in eternal damnation.
It is no wonder life is troubling for all of us, for we have been dealt a poor card by the devil.
The sorrows of death compassed me,
and the pains of hell gat hold upon me:
I found trouble and sorrow.
Then called I upon the name of the Lord;
O Lord, I beseech thee, deliver my soul.
Psalms 116:3-4
I will take the cup of salvation,
and call upon the name of the Lord.
Psalms 116:13
我一生只听随主声音，你是大牧者
God in all His grace has forgiven us our sins. He wants to restore us back to the relationship of God dependence, for only then will we have the elusive peace and joy.
Every breathing moment, I want to seek God.
Every thought and action I strive to honor Him by being holy, and in loving my neighbor.
(See Matthew 22:37-40)
Where will this lead me to? Heaven on Earth.
He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good;
and what doth the Lord require of thee,
but to do justly, and to love mercy,
and to walk humbly with thy God?
Micah 6:8
Dependency upon God does not mean we live a life of a sloth. In fact, as stewards of God's blessings, we are to be even more diligent and wiser than the world.
The difference is we
- no longer let our finite understanding lead us, but we follow the prompting of the Holy Spirit resident in us.
- think not of our own needs, but focus on the needs of others. And in giving, we will be freed from the grip of Satan, who uses man's selfishness to hold sway over us.
For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.
Genesis 3:5
God will and has provided. And your faith will grow as you will experience the power of the gospel at work in your life.
God blesses
Eng Hieang
26 Feb 2014
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