SAVE AND HELP
Suggested Reading: Joshua 10
(click scripture link to read online)
The Yad Lashiryon Memorial at Latrun is the Armored Corps' Memorial Site. The memorial is surrounded by tanks used and captured in Israeli wars. The centrepiece of the Armored Corps is the Wall of Names (pictured below) on which are inscribed the names of all 4,965 fallen soldiers of the Armored Corps from all of Israel's recent wars. This location is also the site of the Biblical battles of Joshua against the Amorite kings; in the book of Joshua it says: "Sun, stand still upon Gibeon; and moon, in the valley of Aijalon" (Joshua 10:12). This retired Merkava Mk-1 tank was the first Israeli-made tank, designed in the late 1960's - early 1970's. In this photo you can see a number of young Israeli soldiers hearing about the stories and seeing the weapons of past wars.
Key Verse: Joshua 10:6
And the men of Gibeon sent to Joshua at the camp at Gilgal, saying, “Do not forsake your servants; come up to us quickly, save us and help us, for all the kings of the Amorites who dwell in the mountains have gathered together against us.”
According to the treaty, Israel comes to the defense of Gibeon. We call upon our Joshua (Yeshua – Jesus). We pray, “Save us and help us,” and He responds according to the pact He has made. It is called “The New Covenant.” A covenant is the most solemn and binding agreement. We may want to read Hebrews 8:10-12.
There are several items of interest in this chapter. “Adoni-Zedek,” King of Jerusalem continues the Zedek name. It means righteousness. Melchi-Zedek was the King of Salem (Jerusalem) to whom Abraham paid tithes. “Adoni” means “Lord” and “Melchi” means “King.” Jerusalem was not conquered by Israel until King David’s time. 450 years earlier, Jerusalem had a man of God as its King (Genesis 14:17-20).
In verses 12 to 14 (the book of Jasher has been lost), we’re told that the sun stood still. It may have been that God caused the earth to stop its rotation. Scripture is accurate in recording the actual perception of the people to this phenomenon. We may want to ask the Lord or one of His angels about this when we get to Heaven.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Dear Lord God, thank You for the New Covenant through which You “save us and help us” in our states of sinfulness, weakness, illness or distress. Please, Jesus, save and help us and our loved ones who are desperate for Your intervention today. We cry unto You! Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
Our Pastor in Florida, Wayne Blackburn, has asked us to pray for him this Saturday as he conducts a funeral for a father and three of his children killed in a car accident. Please join me in praying for the wife and mother left behind who must be experiencing unimaginable grief right now. I’ve been crying out to God on her behalf, “Lord save and help!” I’m sending an e-mail to Pastor Blackburn with the response of my sister-in-law, Evelyn Rutledge, whose first husband, Rev. Harold Williamson, and her 2 children were killed in a car accident many years ago. Evelyn told me the following: “The prayers of God’s people sustained me. I was walking around in shock, but amazingly, I felt lifted up! As their prayers subsided over several weeks, I felt myself gently coming back to reality. I knew that people were ceasing their prayers for me. I could not have made it without the prayers of God’s people.”
I was a guest of Prime Minister Menachem Begin in his home in Jerusalem. I did not raise this with him, but I thought of the hanging of the five kings by Joshua as I also remembered that Begin’s Irgun, an underground Jewish army prior to 1948, had hanged five British soldiers on trees outside the King David Hotel in Jerusalem. I met the British officer whose job it was to cut the bodies down. Human free will decides to commit such acts. I’ve given up trying to comprehend such horrible deeds. All I know is that just one hill over from the King David Hotel, Jesus, who could’ve called 10,000 angels to destroy the world, willingly endured death by hanging on the Cross. Jesus changed my heart, and if enough people will let Him do that, the world will be changed. Peace and love will reign supreme.
Yours because of Jesus, our Lord and Saviour,
David
P.S. I was blessed this morning by searching Google for the lyrics to the song, “He Could’ve Called 10,000 Angels.” Here’s what I found…click here. May you be blessed too. Be sure to scroll down to read the testimony of Ray Overholt, the composer of this great song.
At The Yad Lashiryon Memorial, the new soldiers read names of those who died for their country.
I too pray with you David for Pastor Blackburn and for the woman who has lost her immediate family in such a tragic way. Lord, give the Pastor strength and wisdom as he approaches this difficult time, knowing that the Lord will be there to support him and to give him the ability and the words of comfort needed at such a trying time. I also pray for the dear woman who must now face a future without those she loved and nurtured. Lord, may your Holy Spirit be with her at this difficult time and may she receive the comfort and hope which can only come through Your love. I pray for all who are involved in this funeral service, that it may begin to bring closure and healing. Lord please use this tragedy to bring people closer to you, that they may see how life is but a brief flicker and that eternal life is found only in You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Dear Father God
I pray for those women and their families and relations that you would sourond them with your love,strength and peace during this time . I know its not easy but God is with you always
In Jesus name Amen
Lianne Hogg
My heart goes out to all who suffer so and we have no recourse but to pray I without ceasing! Thank yOu Lord for giving us a voice that yOu hear and honour! Thank you David Maine that you bring this hope in prayer as a consistent reality !
Hi David, A-men to the above prayers. The words that jumped out at me this morning from our reading was “The Lord fought for Israel.” as he does for us ,his children today. l also saw it written “No one moved his tongue against the children of Israel” l sincerely believe this stands today, for God’s chosen land of Israel and for his people everywhere. God keeps his promises and we can rest in his loving care as he says “Be Still and Know that l am God” Wonderful Lord! Wonderful Saviour!
Thanks David for this ongoing blog. I have been struggling to stay on daily scripture readings and this blog has got me hooked, in a good way 🙂
I have even started back to my prayer group and am involved in teaching a Life in the Spirit seminar in our church, starting Feb. 5. I so enjoy the pictures of the Holy Land and one day, God willing, I will see those places with my own eyes.
I pray for your continued good health and inspiration to bless us with these words.
The profound sadness this mom and wife must feel is beyond words. Only a Savioiur could have the supernatural strength required to get her through this. I pray for her and her extended family, as well as the pastor called upon to try to provide comfort and understanding in an inexplicable situation.
Praying for the woman in Florida who lost her husband and three children, that God sustains and lifts her up, through our prayers. Praying also for the rest of her family, and friends, who are also grieving the sudden and tragic loss of their loved ones. Please, Lord, hold them up and lessen their sorrow, and comfort their pain.
I have been reading up on the book of Jasher, which you mentioned was lost, David, and the history behind Ray Overholt and his writing the famous hymn, ‘Ten Thousand Angels.’ A seed was planted, somewhere along the way, which led to Ray’s sudden desire, as a night club singer, to write a song about Christ. Knowing nothing about God or the bible, Ray picked it up, and opened it to Matthew 26:53–when Jesus spoke to Peter in the garden of Gethsemane. Jesus, already knowing his purpose was to die on the cross so that we might be saved from our sins, spoke of the power of peace that His Father would provide with more than twelve legions (ten thousand) of angels, if he were only to call to Him. Amen that Ray was led to Christ and praise to God for this glorious song.
May Ray’s hymn, ‘Ten Thousand Angels’ give the family in Florida strength, comfort and peace, during this difficult time. Know that we are praying for you.
Thank you David for sharing and giving us the privilege to bring her before Our Lord during this time of tragedy. May she be surrounded by HIS peace and comfort now and in the days ahead. May those close to her be given the right words to comfort and may the funeral be glorifying to Jesus.
Today’s reading reminds us that The Lord battles for us and we can trust Him to see us through the hardest of times. Blessings to all today.
to pray for this dear lady in Florida through her tragic loss. His love, through his servants can surround her in prayer today and in the days to come. I pray the funeral service will glorify The Lord
I too, join with all the your prayer David and those above. May the Lord of all comfort be with the wife/mother and other family and friends who share in this great loss.
Thank you for the link to the hymn, and all the other info that was on that page.
Good morning everyone,
Thankyou for your replies. David thankyou for your faithfulness to share God’s Word in this blog. The hymn It is well with my soul and He could have called ten thousand angels, thankyou for the history behind them. May God’s Peace and Comfort surround those who are mourning . May the Holy Spirit speak through Pastor Blackburn and prepare the hearts of those who will be hearing to receive God’s Truth.John 14: 1-7!!!!
Thank you so much David for your daily blogs, I look forward to them each day and they are such a blessing. Great way to start the day! My daily prayers are for those who suffer and trust that God hears each one. Appreciate all the pictures and links as well, it is difficult to get off the computer now, sing along with many of the beautiful hymns.
Blessings to you also as you struggle with your own health issues.
Christ’s programme reads–
“To Bind up the Broken-Hearted;
To Proclaim Liberty to the Captives;
To Comfort all that Mourn:
To give unto them Beauty for Ashes;
The Oil of Joy for Mourning;
The Garment of Praise for the Spirit of Heaviness.”
Christ’s programme is full of Comfort making society’s law one word “loyalty” and it’s Gospel’s one message “love”.
“God’s faithful Love abides forever.”
Will be praying for Pastor Blackburn on Saturday as he leads service for all those impacted by these tragic deaths. As our Father breathed life into dust and in His timing, receives our souls for an eternity, I pray for comfort, peace and healing in a time when confusion and sorrow abides.
I join in with all the prayers for this precious lady and her loss. Also for Pastor Blackburnthat You Lord will be all he needs for this time. It’s hard to find the right words to say, but we know Jesus is the all-sufficient One. God bless all today.
I thank you also for helping me keep on track with this daily reading. I feel very confused reading these scriptures where so many are killed. I know there is a logical answer, and God does everything for a purpose; all will become clear when we see Him face to face. These things don’t bother me personally but trying to explain the violence to those who don’t believe seems overwhelming at times!!
Thank you David for doing this blog. I do not always have time for it as I get off – track but I am always nourished and refreshed by it when I can come back to read it, and also by the 100 Huntley St. TV show. The photos of the Holy Land are wonderful, and it is a blessing to read today’s comment on the Ray Overholt story.
Thank you for sharing about that tragedy in Florida, I will be praying for that family.
God be with you and your family always.