meditations for an everyday relationship with Jesus The nature of Ishmael

Genesis 16:11-12 Then the Angel of the LORD said to her: You have conceived and will have a son. You will name him Ishmael, for the LORD has heard your cry of affliction. This man will be like a wild donkey. His hand will be against everyone, and everyone’s hand will be against him; he will live at odds with all his brothers.

As this was being written we had just experienced an unprovoked terror attack in Paris, France and in Bamako, Mali, not to mention the downing of a Russian airliner. It would appear that ISIS was gaining a considerable foothold on the world stage, and that it was unprecedented in its rise and reach. But this was not entirely true. In the context of recent attacks on the West it was savage, but has its roots in prophecy going back over 4000 years. Brother against brother … a conflict as old as man.

And we should not confuse the political terror we have witnessed with a jihad waged for religious purposes. This was strictly terror for its own sake, and it has no place in the hearts and minds of moderate or even passionate Muslims.

The fulfillment of end time prophecy is not even remotely Muslim or Christian. It is tied to the consequences of a man namedAbraham and his covenant with God.

God remains true

Numbers 23:19 God is not a man who lies, or a son of man who changes His mind. Does He speak and not act, or promise and not fulfill?

God does not lie; He cannot lie. He does not go back on His word.; He remains accountable and steadfast when all around Him falter and fail.

God is not a man so His principles and His morality transcend all other standards! Therefore we cannot claim God when things go our way, nor can we blame God when things go badly or remain just outside of our control.

God directs lives so that He is glorified. Since He is not a man it is not because of ego, but because He is God. He alone is deserving!