Pul king of Assyria came against the land; and Menahem gave Pul a thousand talents of silver, that his hand might be with him to strengthen the kingdom under his control. (2 Kings 15:19)
We sometimes think that by blowing back against an ill wind we can have some measure of control over our lives. Strain as we might though, there are those times when the principalities of the world have the victory. Job tasted the ashes of defeat for a time. Elijah fled to the wilderness. David didn't get to be king immediately even with his anointing by the prophet. We go through tough times too. One such may be approaching any or many of us even on this day. However, God is still in control.
An idolatrous king over Israel taxed the rich of his land and paid off the invader with a tribute (short for 'big ol' bribe'). For a time it seemed that Menahem had it all under control, but we know from the histories of Israel in the Bible that it only worked for a brief time before Assyria returned and Israel was no more (until just a few decades ago that is). Ten tribes scattered to the winds. The people could see no hope of a reunited Israel in their time. Ah, but what about God's time?
Indeed, we may face an ill wind on this day, but God is still in control. In His time, we may yet see the revival, the reunification, the rebirth, and the return of our Lord Jesus. Much may happen in a day, and only God can see all that will come to us out of His goodness. Times may look like a storm that will never end; your ship may be tossed until surely it must break up in the violence of the tempest, but always we must remember that God is in control. And Jesus said:
"In this world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world!"
Face into that wind today, God is in control!Bucky
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