Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: FAITHFULNESS (10/07/21)
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TITLE: Resolve | Previous Challenge Entry
By Terry R A Eissfeldt
10/12/21 -
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I thought he was the one. The one king chosen to stop the insidious tide of Manasseh’s folly and the culture of idol worship in Israel.
Just 39 years old … why couldn’t he make it to 40 - to breakthrough?
Now I am a lone voice. A lone prophet. Alone…
Alone with the knowledge of the coming destruction.
It weighs heavy on my heart.
My eyes weep for my people - for their folly - for their future.
Even as my brothers turn against me, and plot to kill me, I remain obedient to the God of the Armies.
His voice is in my ear.
His word is on my lips.
His zeal is a fire burning in my heart.
It cannot be quenched.
I will not turn my back on my God or my nation.
Though the whip is ready for my back, the stocks wait to encase my limbs, the pit yawns to devour my life, I will stand on the word of the Lord:
“I will make you to this people
a fortified bronze wall;
and they will fight against you,
but they shall not prevail against you;
for I am with you to save you and deliver you.”
So I stand at the entrance to the Temple and shout:
“Hear the word of the Lord all you of Judah,
who enter the gates to worship the Lord!
Amend your way and deeds and
I will let you live in this place.
Practice justice, do not oppress the stranger,
the orphan or the widow, do not shed innocent blood,
nor follow other gods to your ruin….”
The people walk by. Some wagging their heads. Some spitting. But many just look the other way.
Inward another piece of my heart dies. But I am resolute. Even if it seems I’m surrounded by liars and my own fears, I will stay steadfast to God and speak His words.
I smell death at work around me. My heart is crushed, I am pressed on every side to compromise and quit, persecuted and falsely accused. But quitting is not an option. I must see this to the end.
In my mind’s eye I do see the end: complete destruction, desolation, and defilement.
And then I hear the word of the Lord:
“When 70 years have been completed for Babylon
I will visit you and fulfill My good word to you,
To bring you back to this place.
For I know the plans I have for you,
Plans for prosperity and not for disaster,
To give you a future and a hope.”
Seventy years… I will not live to see the fulfillment. But that doesn’t weaken my resolve.
Because my God is faithful to His word, I will be faithful to my work.
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