2 Kings 1:1-4 After Ahab’s death, Moab rebelled against Israel. Now Ahaziah had fallen through the lattice of his upper room in Samaria and injured himself. So he sent messengers, saying to them, “Go and consult Baal-Zebub, the god of Ekron, to see if I will recover from this injury.” But the angel of the Lord said to Elijah the Tishbite, “Go up and meet the messengers of the king of Samaria and ask them, ‘Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are going off to consult Baal-Zebub, the god of Ekron?’ Therefore this is what the Lord says: ‘You will not leave the bed you are lying on. You will certainly die!’” So Elijah went.
My own people rejected me. So I gave My word to the gentiles. They knew they were not my favorites. Many knew that they were entirely undeserving. So, they were more grateful for their salvation than the Jews. So it is and should be with you. You were deeply lost in your sin. You were walking a very dark path. You once remembered the magnitude of My grace toward you. Return to that knowledge. Rejoice in what you have been given. Stop focusing on what you do not have, because really you already have all that matters – you have the promise of eternity with Me and your Father. Notice that the Jews in power in that day did everything to destroy Paul and Barnabas – and anyone who preached My word. So it is today. Do not be surprised, nor dismayed. Just as I protected and drew close to them, so I will to you and all my children today. It will get worse. Christians will continue to be hated, spurned, even persecuted. But, it has always been so, really. You just don’t have the experience, as you were fortunate that I planted you in what was, up until recently, a Christian nation. But watch, it is worsening. You will be hated, if you continue to follow me. The choice is yours. (2004)
Amanuensis 