WINGS
Suggested Reading: Jeremiah 49
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
The Obelisk Tomb and Bab As-Siq Triclinium are directly across from the Djinn Blocks at the entrance to the siq, the narrow easily defended rock-hewn corridor which leads into the city of Petra. The four Obelisks of the Tomb (top monument in the photo) were clearly built under an Egyptian influence. The Bab As-Siq Triclinium (bottom monument in the photo) is a chamber with three benches (Tri-clinium) and may have served as a location for sacred feasts honouring the dead. This area of modern Jordan was once the capital city of Edom, mentioned in today's reading.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verses: Jeremiah 49:16a, 22
Your fierceness has deceived you,
The pride of your heart,
O you who dwell in the clefts of the rock,
Who hold the height of the hill!
…Behold He [The Lord] shall come up and fly like the eagle,
And spread His wings over Bozrah;
The heart of the mighty men of Edom in that day shall be
Like the heart of a woman in birth pangs.
To a young bird, a shadow cast by approaching wings can mean two completely different things. One shadow, which baby birds know well, means that their mother or father is returning to the nest with food and protection. But another shadow, which may look exactly the same to an untrained human eye, signals danger, the attack of a predator, and the chicks cower in fear.
Throughout the Bible, the image of “the wings of God” frequently appears. People welcome God as Provider and Protector or in the opposite way, as Someone who brings fear and judgement. In today’s reading, judgment is pronounced on Rabbah (present day Amman in Jordan). The people of Edom are reminded of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19:24-29). Damascus, Syria, is in a time of destruction again today. Kedar (Saudi Arabia, and the other Arab states) was also devastated by the marauding armies of Egypt and Babylon. In spite of all this, chapter 49 ends with “hope,” as did chapter 48. As believers in the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, we need not fear. Yes we have reverence and awe, but never terror! Under His wings there is safety, nourishment, and all we need to grow into all that God has planned for each one of us. Amen!!! (Read Psalm 63:1-7). “In the shadow of Your wings I will rejoice.”
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, I take refuge 24/7 as Psalm 91:4 says, under the covering of Your “feathers,” and under Your “wings.” I pray that I will never separate myself from Your presence by allowing unconfessed sin to remain. I pray daily the sinner’s prayer, “Lord, be merciful to me, a sinner” (Luke 18:13-14). Lord Jesus, You said that the man who prayed that prayer most sincerely was justified before God. Thank You, Lord, for Your deliverance from sin, Your protection, Your provision, and for my very life! Amen!!!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
For some reason my son David Reynold typed in the word, “Djinn” in his caption to his photograph. “Djinn” are mentioned in the Koran. They are depicted as beings with godlike powers. They were said to feed on fear. I have “NO FEAR!” Why? Because of the guaranteed protection of Almighty God through His Son and my Saviour Jesus Christ (Messiah). In contrast to this fear-producing figment of a fevered imagination, the “Djinn,” when God or one of His angels (ministering spirits to God’s children – Hebrews 1:13-14) shows up, their first words are usually, “FEAR NOT!!!” I have not made this count myself, but those who have tell me that there are 365 repetitions of “FEAR NOT” in the Bible, one for every day of the year! How’s that for producing a sense of well being in all of us who believe. Evil systems of human government feed on fear. When Karl Wojtowa, Pope John Paul II, returned home to his native Poland, ruled by atheistic communism, he said to his people, “Do not fear!” Not long after this, the totalitarian communist government fell and was replaced by a freely elected government.
Yours with total confidence in the God Who declares to us with no uncertainty whatsoever, “FEAR NOT!”
David
P.S. Today’s reading mentions those who dwell in the “clefts of the rock.” Below are more pictures of one-time dwellings in homes carved out of the rock cliffs of Petra, Jordan.
Homes carved into the solid rock are quite comfortable, warm in winter and cool in summer. Petra was considered to be an impregnable city.
The "Siq," as it is known, is the only entrance into Petra. The facade directly inside the city is known as the "Treasury." Perhaps the taxes and customs duties were collected here as visitors entered.
Petra adds new meaning to on a solid rock I stand. Amazing to think of dwelling within the rock clefts – great photo’s! It’s a comfort to know fear not or fret not, is said to be mentioned in scripture on 365 occassions. The opposite of fear is love. Every day of the year, it is better to live in a state of love than one of fear! However, fear is healthy if it motivates change. Jeremiah has certainly been a book which has covered a vast range of history and behaviour, emphasizing Gods power and dominion. May we always have the ability to confront ourselves openly with truth and thank our Lord for His love and guidance in every matter of our lives. Amen!
1John4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.
Amen!
Thank you David for the Songs that you share with us– It is a Joy
to hear and listen to them– We also pray for full healing for you–
We also thank God for 100 Huntley St. Pro grams– PRAISE THE
NAME OF THE lORD– gLORY !
I see the shadow of the wings of my Saviour covering me keeping me safe , and whatever I go through in my life I can stand on the solid rock , thank you David for bringing Gods word to full view and knowing that every day of the year we have no fear for our Father says FEAR NOT what peace we find I these words , God bless you David and your family and thank you Father for David s healing in Jesus name Amen and Amen 😉
To know we have a God who tells us “FEAR NOT” is great assurance in this world of turmoil in so many places.
As we continue in our blog each day we are so blessed to know God lives in us through His Spirit and to learn so much history. Thank you Pastor David , Reynold for your beautiful pictures, and Ron and Anne for helping with the blog. We are blessed.
As each of you worship today may the blessings of God’s Word enrich you.
It is so amazing to be alive today and see God’s predictions of yesterday come to fruition. Syria is in such a mess. Unfortunately, many people can’t seem to learn from history, especially God’s word.
Thank you David Mainse for today’s study. Great photos today. Never been to the Middle East. It looks so barren compared to our beautiful Alberta. God has blessed us so with this majestic land called Canada. I pray we all appreciate it and its democratic government.
Blessings to all on this Sabbath day.
I have lived most of my life with an anxiety disorder coupled with some deep phobias, so telling me to “fear not” is a bit like telling the sun not to set– it can’t be done. However, I have discovered that the Lord understands my fears, and he doesn’t remove them, but He gives me the courage to face them, to go through them if need be,. He never allows my fears to become an excuse not to love Him, others or myself.
The one thing I can tell you it is because of my fears that I have developed such a dependence on God—-so whenever well meaning Christians tell me not to have fear, that my love isn’t perfect because I am afraid—I say that has not been my experience with the Lord.
I have learned the opposite of love isn’t fear, it is indifference. My experiences have taught me that fear, like anything in life, if given to the God, can be worked for good– but if we try to handle them ourselves or bury them because we want to appear perfect that is when fear can cause us to sin- or prevent us from doing what God calls us to do-
I am not saying the Scripture is wrong– but I think whenever the phrase Fear Not is used I don’t see it as a command never to feel fear, but rather a promise that whenever we are afraid, God will be with us and like David said we don’t have to afraid of Him, we are safe with Him, safe enough to take our fears to Him, big, small, real or imagined.
Yes..I agree! I have also lived with certain degrees of fear throughout my life.
I am a very happy and content person but ended up with depression and bad anxiety since last June.
well prob. Sooner but finally went for help. We can be so hard on ourselves…I have found Dr.Grant Mullens material very helpful.
Anyway…God is for us and cheering us on!!
GOD BLESS YOU SISTER.
Have a GREAT day all.
I’m going to petra!! Lol
Dear Rev David M,
What a wonderful teaching the Lord has provided us in His Word (Jeremiah). Thank you again for today’s sinner prayer.
Have a blessed day as you attend church to worship Our Savior, Our King with your better half.
Enjoy the gathering of fellow saints, my dear bloggers!
xxxx Carole
I have been so thankful for the wings of the Almighty, they are a refuge to us when we are surrounded by troubling situations!!
Blessings to all on this day!
Wonderful, a command by God to fear not every day of the year. Heard a lot today about the importance of regular reading the Word of God especially to know God’s will for our lives. Thank you David for helping us to stay focused on the Word and also for your contribution, Ron, Ann and Reynold. Love those photos. God bless you all on this another stormy day!
Command to enter His peace – to fear not in the middle of storms, that is our testimony! The song “He who dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the Shadow of the Almighty and I will say of the Lord He is my refuge and my fortress my God in Him will I trust..”. I love that song and have not sung or heard it for many months… As I read the responses it was quickened in my heart and I rejoiced as the Holy Spirit once again surrounded these posts and those who are encouraged respond in real life circumstances! His Loving Kindness covers us as we hide our hearts in the Cleft of His Love… whether our hearts are trembling and shaking or strong like a Lion – that is the place we abide… in the Shadow of the Almighty!! No other ground – no other name amen… When fear appears, we snuggle deeper into the love of Our Lord. I agree to deny fear can exist is foolish, to wrap ourselves and our fears in the love of our precious Savior = grace amazing Grace indeed. Blessings from BC…