​It is said that during the month of Elul (sixth on the Hebrew calendar) God draws closer to us to help in our daily walk. The 40 days from Elul 1 to Tishrei 10 (Yom Kippur) is meant to be one of repentance so that we can return to God. The Jews blow the shofar daily as a warning to return to God in repentance. This period of time is called Teshuvah. The root word of this is "shoov" which means to return.
 
Sunday morning at our church, The Crossing, we had a demonstration of Teshuvah. Worship time was particularly beautiful and led us to the tender heart of God. He whispered into the heart of our Senior Pastor, George, who decided to forego preaching so that we could spend the rest of our time together in worship and repentance. One by one people from the congregation came forward to confess their sins for all of us to hear. The sweet presence of the Holy Spirit was palpable.
 
Wanting to be sensitive to The Spirit's leading, it was decided that we would meet every night for a week to focus on worship and repentance. Stories of past revivals reveal that they mostly start with repentance. The first night Pastor George read from Joel 2. "Blow the trumpet in Zion, sound the alarm on My holy hill. Let all who live in the land tremble for the day of the Lord is coming...'Even now,' declares the Lord, 'return (Teshuvah) to Me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.' Rend your heart and not your garments. Return (Teshuvah) to the Lord your God, for He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love and He relents from sending calamity." (Joel 2:1, 12, 13) This is our heart’s cry for ourselves and our nation.
 
We are aware that as we turn to walk on the path of repentance so that we can come closer to the Lord, our enemy wants to put a monkey wrench into our plans. God gave me a parable about how he sabotages our movement forward on Tuesday morning. I got into my car to drive to work. As I put the car into drive and applied the gas, a horrendous screeching and scraping noise was produced. I put the car into reverse and was able to move without any problems. However, the minute I tried to go forward the awful sound returned, and it was difficult to move towards my destination. My husband kindly returned home to give his assessment of the situation. He decided we would have to get the car towed to be repaired.
 
After calling AAA, a tow truck arrived. As the driver got into my car to move it forward there was no sound or difficulty. He left without my car. My husband discovered the reason for our problems afterward. On the blacktop under the car was a large black walnut that had been stashed up inside the car by a local squirrel. I actually saw the squirrel go under my car but never imagined what havoc he would create. The rubbing of the metal against the walnut was so intense that one side of the nut was flat and smooth.
 
This is how the enemy works in our lives. He attacks our souls and makes it difficult for us to move forward but easy to move backward. To stop his interference in our lives we must repent for allowing ungodly behaviors in our lives, declare Isaiah 54:17, "No weapon forged against us will prevail..." and "worship the Lord in the splendor of His holiness." (1 Chronicles 16:29, Psalm 29:2, and 96:9) This is what will give us victory in our season of Teshuvah.

Recently I finished reading South Carolina Senator Tim Scott's book, America, A Redemption Story. In a chapter titled, "Grit and Innovation" he describes several "average Americans” throughout history who refused to accept the world as it was as they pioneered their way through seemingly impossible circumstances." (Page 54) Throughout his book, Tim Scott encourages us to step out to be creative because our country is "brimming with opportunity."
 
One of the people Senator Scott highlights is John Wanamaker, who established a department store at the corner of Sixth and Market Street in Philadelphia. Originally, he called his store "Oak Hall" as Oak was the national tree of the United States. This tree is a symbol of strength and is "often associated with honor, nobility, and wisdom." (Page 49) Hall implied greatness and grandeur. In addition, the location of the store was adjacent to George Washington's presidential home. Wanamaker wanted his patrons to be aware of the history of our country. I admit that I took particular interest in this portion of Scott's book because my parents used to take our family to this store all throughout my childhood.
 
John Wanamaker's concept for his store was like none other before it. As a devout Christian, he believed that "if everyone was equal before God, prices should be equal too." (Page 50) Up until the opening of John's store, haggling and bargaining were a part of the shopping experience. By putting a price tag on the items for purchase, every shopper was treated fairly. His motto was, "One price and goods returnable." The sales industry was transformed by the John Wanamaker method of doing business.
 
May I suggest that Father God is our spiritual John Wanamaker. He sent His Son, Jesus, to pay the price for our salvation. As God’s children, we are separated from Him through our sin. His great love and compassion for us brought about the plan for His Son to become the atonement for our sins. As it says in Romans 3:23, "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." To rectify this situation and satisfy the justice of God, all of us must be led to repentance. God's kindness is intended to lead us to repentance, it says in Romans 2:4. Jesus Christ shed His blood and died for us on a cross. His death was for every person on the face of the earth, no matter what sins were committed. But we must complete the transaction by accepting, through faith, what Jesus did and believing that He was raised from the dead and ascended to heaven.
 
Romans 3:30 reminds us that there is only one God who justifies both the Jew (circumcised) and Gentile (uncircumcised). All are justified by faith in Jesus Christ. It is said of Abraham, the father of all who believe, that his "faith was credited to him as righteousness." (Romans 4:9) Verse 13 expands on the details: "It was not through the law that Abraham and his offspring received the promise that he would be heir of the world, but through the righteousness that comes through faith." Jesus paid the price once and for all time. "He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification." (Romans 4:25)
 
Just like John Wanamaker, Father God has one price for all for salvation. His name is Jesus! Not only was He the “price tag,” but He is the one who paid the price for us. This is the bargain of a lifetime! How can we show our gratitude?

​Some scholars believe that the daily reading of Psalm 27 during the month of Elul is what is needed for preparation of the Jewish high holy days. In fact, they say the phrase "my light" in verse one is a reminder of Rosh Hashana, and "my salvation" a reminder of Yom Kippur. Verse five says, "He will hide me in the shelter of His tabernacle" which refers to Sukkot or the Feast of Tabernacles. All this aside, Psalm 27 is a powerful Psalm to read at any time of the year. This Psalm is one of adoration and the truth of who God is in our lives. A key to remember as we search the depths of Scripture is that adoration brings revelation and revelation brings intimacy.
 
Psalm 27 is one that brings adoration to God through declaring who He is and what He has done. We are given the key to conquering fear in verse one. "The Lord is my light and my salvation—in whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold (a place of refuge and defense) of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?" The author of Psalm 27, King David, was familiar with being hunted down. When he wrote about evil men advancing against him or an army besieging him, he was living his life running from King Saul who wanted to kill him. Despite the battle David was in, he expresses his first priority: "to dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life." (Verse 4) Here is how The Passion Translation says it: "Here's the one thing I crave from God, the one thing I seek above all else:  I want the privilege of living with Him every moment in His house, finding the sweet loveliness of His face, filled with awe, delighting in His glory and grace. I want to live my life so close to Him that He takes pleasure in my every prayer." 
 
God has a perfect place for us to run to when we are in trouble. That shelter is His tabernacle where He sets us "high upon a rock." (Verse 5) Think about that picture of being placed on a high rock. This placement keeps one above their enemies, out of their reach. The result should be that we will "sacrifice with shouts of joy." (Verse 6) The Passion Translation says, “Triumphant now, I'll bring Him my offerings of praise, singing and shouting with ecstatic joy!" 
 
Next, David makes a plea to the Lord:  "Hear my voice when I call, O Lord; be merciful to me and answer me. My heart says of you, 'Seek His face!' Your face, Lord, I will seek." (Verses 7, 8) He remembers how he had been rejected by his family and the hurt that this causes. However, the Lord fills every void that we have in our lives. David recalls the hope he has in the Lord. He makes a request of the Lord:  "Now teach me all about your ways and tell me what to do. Make it clear for me to understand, for I am surrounded by waiting enemies...Yet I totally trust in you to rescue me one more time, so that I can see once again how good you are while I'm still alive!” (Verses 11, 13 - TPT) The classic statement in verse 13 is rendered like this in the NIV. "I am still confident of this:  I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living."
 
Psalm 27 ends with a word of advice that I am sure David learned through his years of battle. "Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord." (Verse 14) The Passion Translation says, "Here's what I've learned through it all. Don't give up; don't be impatient; be entwined as one with the Lord. Be brave and courageous, and never lose hope. Yes, keep on waiting—for He will never disappoint you!"
 
David had a great deal of experience in waiting for the Lord. Afterall, he was anointed to be king of Israel as a young man but was not able to sit upon the throne until age 30. His waiting was not easy, as we have already noted. King Saul was after him during most of his wait. Waiting for God takes perseverance and patience. During these times of waiting, we must remember that the Lord uses them to teach and prepare us for what is ahead. We must make good use of our seasons of waiting and walk in the revelation He gives us after taking shelter in His tabernacle.

God has a special and unique blessing for us during each month on the Hebrew calendar. I am particularly fond of the one He has for us during the sixth month called Elul which begins on Tuesday evening. It is said of this month that "the King is in the field." He is especially accessible to us during the month of Elul when He desires to meet with us in our everyday affairs. For those who know Hebrew, the very name of the month reminds one of God's desire for intimacy because the Hebrew letters that form the name Elul are an acrostic for Song of Solomon 6:3. “I am my beloved's, and my beloved is mine!" Even the skies declare the Lord's intentions as the stars form the constellation Virgo, the virgin. The glory of God, conveyed in nature, demonstrates His great love for us.
 
Elul is associated with the Hebrew letter YOD. This means "God has appointed mercy from His hands." He leaves His throne to be among His people to help them negotiate the affairs of life. This is a beautiful picture of the ministry of Jesus on earth and the Scripture from John 1:14. "The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us." "Dwelling" in this context means "tabernacle." When Jesus left Heaven, He came to tabernacle with His people for 33 years in a tent of mortal flesh. Jesus said, "If you really know me, you will know my Father as well..." (John 14:7) The disciple John clarifies the truth of the visit from Jesus in his book. 1 John 1:2 says,
"The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life which was with the Father and has appeared to us." 
 
The significance of Elul, in addition to what we have already looked at, is that it is a time of preparation for the high holy days which begin next month. The 40 days from the first of Elul until Yom Kippur, The Day of Atonement, are meant for repentance and restoration. These days are called The Teshuvah or days of turning, fasting, and repentance. This season is one where we turn from sin so that we can move toward God. He wants us to seek His face. There is a promise in 2 Chronicles 7:13-14 that is particularly appropriate for our times and season. After Solomon completed the Temple, God made him a promise. He told Solomon, "When I shut up the heavens, so that there is no rain, or command locusts to devour the land, or send a plague among my people, if my people, who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked way, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land." When we turn toward the King of kings after turning away from sin, our relationship with Him strengthens.
 
This special time of year has a two-fold purpose: (1) A time to pursue the King who is in our fields, and (2) A time to repent and prepare ourselves for the beginning of a new year so that we can start with a clean slate. Let us take advantage of what is before us: "A Haven in Time." We must press in to receive deeper measure of the Lord's love as we repent for our sins that separate us from Him. He is here to encourage us and bring us into greater intimacy with Him. We must not let this divine moment pass us by!

​Something new came to our attention as we vacationed on Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire this year. It is common for some of the homeowners to anchor a swim platform a few hundred feet from their docks. It gives swimmers a destination and a place to rest or catch some sun. The problem is that the Lake ducks also use the platforms. We frequently saw several ducks preening and sunning themselves on these structures. 
 
This year we saw artificial, but very real looking owls and coyotes on the platforms to scare away the ducks. We all had a good laugh when we saw two ducks resting on either side of a coyote. Daily, these ducks took up their restful positions with the fake animal. They seemingly know that this predator has a bark much worse than its bite. As they bravely fly aboard the platform and lay down next to the nasty-looking deterrent, they seem to have no concerns.
 
Does this remind you of the defeated enemy we call Satan? "...He prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." But Peter tells us to "Resist him and stand firm in the faith." (1 Peter 5:8, 9) In addition, James 4:7 says, "Resist the devil, and he will flee." Those of us who know our power and authority in Christ will not succumb to the devil's attempts to take us down. We know the one who defeated him completely at the Cross. There is no need to be concerned about his attempt to place fear in us. In fact, like the ducks at Lake Winnipesaukee, we can lay down next to him and rest.
 
That being said, let us remember that we can give the demonic realm permission to attack us when we behave or speak in agreement with what they say. There are times when we unwittingly make a vow or judgment, or hold someone in unforgiveness, or take on self-righteousness or a haughty spirit that opens us up to a battle with the demonic. These behaviors that send a message that agrees with the kingdom of darkness can be easily rendered null and void by rebuking any offense, declaring our repentance, and asking the Holy Spirit to fill us where sins have been emptied out.
 
Whenever we experience the attack of the enemy let us remember the ducks sleeping at the feet of the ineffective coyote. We are destined to be overcomers. We should have no fear. Our confidence is in the Lord who made us with power and authority to take charge of the environment around us. Our inheritance from the Lord includes victory over our enemies.

​For the first time in 22 years a plant, misleadingly named the Century Plant or Agave americana, came to bloom this summer at Longwood Gardens. The plant originally got its name because scientists believed that it only flowered every 100 years. Longwood's Century Plant is growing in their "Silver Garden" greenhouse along with many other succulents. Botanists tell us that the plant will continue to bloom until October. The blossoms are green and yellow clusters that look similar to broccoli flowers. The staff at Longwood first noticed the flowering stalk in February. Every day during that month the stalk grew five to six inches a day. Eventually, the crew of workers had to remove a pane of glass from the greenhouse roof so that the plant could continue to grow.
 
Since the Agave plant only lives to bloom once in its entire life, it is called "monocarpic." It will die after it blooms because it dedicates all its energy to producing its blossoms. However, when it is finished blooming the gardeners at Longwood will save the flower heads and dry them to be used in the Christmas display. A new Century Plant will be planted in place of the current one, and plant lovers will begin waiting for another blooming season. The new plant will probably be an offshoot from the "mother plant" which is called a "pup." The small offshoots are tiny clones of its mother. Gardeners dig out the pup with its roots and plant it in another location so it can continue to grow.
 
The life of the Century Plant reminds me of the life of Jesus. After He quietly grew from a child into a man, He bloomed during the last three years of His life. He was sent to earth from HIs heavenly throne to display the beauty of heaven and to "plant pups" close to Himself that would be able to root and be established in new locations to demonstrate His love. This is what is says in Paul's Ephesians prayer:  "...And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." (Ephesians 3:17-19)
 
After His death, Jesus left His Holy Spirit to empower us with life without Him. The residue of His bloom is to be used to display the beauty of Christ in the world around us. Jesus told His disciples this before ascending to heaven. "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." (Acts 1:8)
 
Can you see yourself as a "pup" of the Lord? That is what we are! Each of us has been planted in a different location to demonstrate the love of Christ and bloom where we are planted.

The nation of Israel would do well to look back to the past to remember God's faithfulness to His children after bringing them out of slavery in Egypt. We have entered the month of Av, the fifth on the Hebrew calendar. Historically this month is remembered as one of crisis and destruction, especially the 9th of Av or Tisha B'Av. Calamities were brought about at this time by the curse of Kadish Barnea, the Israelite camp at the border of the Promised Land. God told Moses, "Send some men to explore the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the Israelites." (Numbers 13:2) Twelve leaders from the nation of Israel, one from each tribe, went into Canaan to survey the land. When they returned ten of the twelve gave a bad report, warning the Israelites that the natives were "stronger than we are." (Numbers 13:3b)
 
During the month of Av, the children of Israel rebelled against the advice of Caleb and Joshua. Hebrews 4:2 tells us, "Those who heard (the message from God) did not combine it with faith." (NIV) The Complete Jewish Study Bible puts it this way:  "...But the message they heard didn't do them any good, because those who heard it did not combine it with trust." According to Rabbinic tradition, the Israelites' refusal to believe that God would give them the Promised Land occurred on the 9th of Av. How quickly they forgot the miraculous ways in which God had provided for them and protected them! Because of this they made a negative confession and established a curse upon themselves. They asked, "...Wouldn't it be better for us to go back to Egypt?" (Numbers 14:3) Because Joshua and Caleb believed that God would give them the land "flowing with milk and honey, the whole assembly talked about stoning them." (Number 14:10)
 
There are ramifications from our confessions—whether good or bad. Moses had to intercede for the Israelites so that God did not strike them down with a plague and destroy them completely. God instructed Moses to tell his community, "I will do the very thing I heard you say. In this desert your bodies will fall—everyone of you twenty years old or more who was counted in the census and who has grumbled against me. Not one of you will enter the land I swore with uplifted hand to make your home...For forty years—one year for each of your forty days you explored the land—you will suffer for your sins and know what it is like to have me against you." (Numbers 14:28-30, 34) The curse that was confessed over the children of Israel took hold to such a degree that on the fateful day of the 9th of Av (throughout the years) destruction has occurred:  Babylon destroyed the first temple (587 BC), the Romans destroyed the second temple (70 AD), thousands of Jews were killed during the Crusades that were launched on this day (1095 AD), Jews were expelled from England (1290 AD), Jews were expelled from Spain (1492 AD), Jews were deported to concentration camps (1942 AD), Jews were removed from their homes in Gaza (2005 AD).
 
These are perilous times! Even as I write this letter, the nation of Israel is expecting a furious attack from Iran and its proxies, Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis. The month of Av was originally to be one of blessings since the Israelites would have been entering their Promised Land. Even the number of the month, five, means grace. In addition, the name Av means Father. Father God longs to be gracious to all His children. Like the children of Israel, we may declare an agreement with the powers of darkness through our words and actions. If we do so, how do we reverse the curse and open the door for grace and blessings to be poured out? First, we must repent of any sin of unbelief, and then live our lives so that we mix God's promises with our faith. We must not allow the Word of God to be subservient to our circumstances! This month is a pivot point where we can select our destinations. As we remember God's faithfulness to us and look to the Cross, God will make a way for us to have victory over our enemies so that we can enter our own promised lands.

Proverbs 147:9 tells us, "He provides food for the cattle and for the young ravens when they call." I watched this proverb in action over the last few weeks. There is a small birdbath on our deck that we can see from our living area. One day, as I looked out the glass door, a raven came to visit the birdbath. In his mouth was a huge, hard piece of bread. He brought the crust to drop into the water. While he waited, he took several sips of water. Then he removed the crust from the water and ate it. I have seen this bird repeat these actions three times. The intelligence of this raven is amazing! Yet, why should I be surprised? God made him that way.
 
The raven is written about in several Bible stories. Noah took ravens on the ark with him. After the rains stopped and as the water was receding, Noah sent out a raven. "It kept flying back and forth until the water had dried up from the earth." (Genesis 8:7)
 
In 1 Kings 17 we are introduced to Elijah the Tishbite, a prophet who was not popular with Ahab, King of Israel, or others because of his prophecies of warning. The Lord sent Elijah to a brook in the Kerith Ravine to protect him. God said, "I have directed the ravens to supply you with food there." 
(1 Kings 17:4) Scripture says, "The ravens brough him bread and meat in the morning and bread and meat in the evening, and he drank from the brook." (1 Kings 17:6) I find it interesting that God provided for Elijah's needs in the most unexpected way. I am not sure why He used what was considered an unclean bird by Israel to bring food to Elijah. I wonder if Elijah would have known what God asked Job. "Who provides food for the raven when its young cry out to God and wander about for lack of food?" (Job 38:41) God wants us to trust Him even when what He does seems strange. He has His reasons for doing everything. Our job is to trust Him.
 
Jesus talked about ravens in Luke 12:22-26. ".... I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothes. Consider the ravens:  They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?" Think back on what the ravens brought to Elijah. Where did that bird get the bread? Did it come from someone's table? That might be a likely conclusion. Ravens are known to be intelligent. "Treehugger" reports that "Not only can they figure our puzzles surprisingly quickly, but they learn from past experience to build on their conclusions about how to get what they want."
 
These stories of the raven should encourage us. The Lord loves us and knows what we need. Worry should not be a part of our lives. Jesus told those who followed Him, "Don't let worry enter your life." (Luke 12:29 - TPT) "Refuse to worry about tomorrow, but deal with each challenge that comes your way, one day at a time. Tomorrow will take care of itself." (Matthew 6:34 - TPT) We need to be reminded of these words of advice from time to time. I am grateful for the visit from the raven. 

The Apostolic Council of Prophetic Elders (ACPE), led by Cindy Jacobs, had much to say about the events of July 13. Fifty prophets from around the world gathered and shared their impressions of what they are hearing from the Lord. Afterward they made public their points of agreement. Their belief is that the enemy is working hard to destroy America but by the spring of 2025 there will be a shift to righteousness in our nation. In the meantime, we must be vigilant in prayer, to fight the good fight of faith.
 
These prophets agree that the Scripture that stands out for this season is Isaiah 30:21. "Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying, 'This is the way, walk in it.'" We must be praying that the Lord would open our ears to hear His directions as this is a critical season in our nation. As we know, had Donald Trump not moved his head at the exact second that he did, he would be a dead man. The prophets believe that this is a sign that the headship of our nation will shift. God has not forgotten America, and His plans and purposes will not be changed. He is the one who "changes times and seasons; He deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. He reveals deep and hidden things; He knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with Him." (Daniel 2:21, 22)
 
Exodus, Chapter 3 tells us how Moses had to turn aside on Mt. Horeb to meet with God at the burning bush. Because he did this, Moses received a word from the Lord, assuring him that He had seen the misery of His people in Egypt and that He intended to rescue them. (Verses 7, 8) Could it be that the Lord has seen the plight of America and intends to rescue us from the grip of evil? Let us pray to this end. Let us turn aside to listen to directions from God for our future. Revelation 2:7 tells us, "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."
 
A reminder came from ACPE that when Jesus was being arrested at the Mount of Olives, his disciple Peter used his sword to cut off the right ear of the servant of the high priest. The servant's name was Malchus, meaning "king." When Peter did this, because he was offended, he stopped the servant's ability to hear. But Jesus wanted the servant to hear and know Him. He healed and re-created the ear of the servant. (John 18:10, 11, Luke 22:50, 51) Can we look at the injury to Trump's ear, which is being healed, as a sign that God wants him to hear both physically and spiritually? Definitely, it is true that God wants all of us to hear Him. "My sheep listen to my voice. I know them, and they follow me." (John 10:27)
 
The ACPE reminds us of how the priests in the days of Moses were consecrated. "Slaughter it (a ram), take some of its blood and put it on the lobes of the right ears of Aaron and his sons..." (Exodus 29:20) This ritual was also used to cleanse those who were diseased so that the priests could make atonement for them. (Leviticus 14:14, 17) The ACPE also pointed out that Exodus 21:2-6 explains how a Hebrew servant could declare his desire to stay with his master instead of being set free in the seventh year of service. "Then his master must take him before the judges. He shall take him to the door or the doorpost and pierce his ear with an awl. Then he will be his servant for life."
 
 
We have much to consider and pray about. The most encouraging word is that after a time of chaos and turmoil we will see a shift to righteousness and justice in the spring of 2025. In the meantime, we must pray that the pierced ear represents a pierced heart. Right now, the tongues of all those who want to be leaders of our nation need to be tamed. James tells us that it "...corrupts the whole person..." (James 3:6) We must also pray that a spirit of humility falls on everyone for "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." (James 4:6) Peter admonishes, "Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time." (1 Peter 5:5, 6) Our prayers need to be not only for ourselves but for the generations to come. Our young people need to be awakened to the truth. The ACPE says we have received a wake-up call to the seriousness of this hour. Let us remember Peter's warning:  "For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and His ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil." (1 Peter 3:12) Awaken, people of God, and let our prayers turn us from evil to righteousness and justice. 

​Psalm 33 comes to mind as I contemplate the events of last weekend. "Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the people of the world revere Him. For He spoke, and it came to be; He commanded, and it stood firm. The Lord foils the plans of the nations; He thwarts the purposes of the people. But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of His heart through all generations. Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people He chose for His inheritance. From heaven the Lord looks down and sees all mankind; from His dwelling place He watches all who live on earth--He who forms the hearts of all, who considers everything they do. No king is saved by the size of his army, no warrior escapes by his great strength. A horse is a vain hope for deliverance; despite all its great strength it cannot save. But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear Him, on those whose hope is in HIs unfailing love, to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine." (Psalm 33:8-19)
 
Prime Minister Netanyahu said it well..."The shooting of Trump is an attack on America and an attack on democracy." Our country got a wakeup call on Saturday, July 13, when a 20-year old man climbed up on a roof and shot Donald Trump as he was making a speech in Butler, PA. Details as to who he is and why he would do this are slim, but his actions have awakened the people of America. My hope is that everyone will contemplate their frailty and open their hearts to the Eternal God who holds our lives in HIs hands.
 
Job said, "He thwarts the plans of the crafty, so that their hands achieve no success." (Job 5:12) After spending time in considerable suffering and complaining to his friends, Job acknowledged that he had been talking over his understanding. Also, after meeting the Sovereign God and realizing that God was with him through it all, his testimony was, "I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted." (Job 42:2) Several verses in Proverbs agree with Job's testimony. "In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps." (Proverbs 16:9) "There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the Lord." (Proverbs 21:30)
 
None of us can presume on tomorrow or even the next minute as the attempt on Donald Trump's life so visibly shows us. James 4:14 warns, "But you don't have a clue what tomorrow may bring, for fleeting life is but a warm breath of air that is visible in the cold only for a moment and then vanishes!" (TPT) The writer of Ecclesiastes tells us that God makes everything fit together in its timing. He says, "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven." (Ecclesiastes 3:1) Chapter 8, Verse 6 says, "For there is a proper time and procedure for every matter."
 
The life of Donald Trump has been spared by our Sovereign God. Dutch Sheets articulates the perspective of many: "If Trump ever questioned God's hand and destiny on him, he should now be fully assured of it." President Trump himself recognizes the protection of God and the mandate that he must move forward. He wrote a social media post that says, "Thank you to everyone for your thoughts and prayers yesterday, as it was God alone who prevented the unthinkable from happening. We will Fear Not, but instead remain resilient in our Faith and Defiant in the face of Wickedness...In this moment, it is more important than ever that we stand United, and show our True Character as Americans, remaining Strong and Determined, and not allowing Evil to Win. I truly love our country, and love you all, and look forward to speaking to our Great Nation this week from Wisconsin."
 
What should our response be in light of the events of July 13? May I suggest that we live every day as if it were our last. The Psalmist reminds us that our days are numbered. (Psalm 90:12) We must use every opportunity to love and encourage those around us and to nurture our relationship with the Lord. Let us also pray for protection over, wisdom to infuse, and fear of the Lord to overtake those who are running for office and who have a call on their lives to lead America into the future. Another quote from Donald Trump should be kept in mind. "None of us knows God's plan, or where life's adventure will take us. But if the events of last Saturday make anything clear, it is that every single moment we have on Earth is a gift from God.”