BECAUSE

BECAUSE

God usually has a reason for everything He does, but He doesn't always tell us what it is.
Today, I was reminded of what Moses told Israel in the wilderness. Deuteronomy 7:7 The LORD did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye [were] the fewest of all people: But because the LORD loved you, and because he would keep the oath which he had sworn unto your fathers, hath the LORD brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you out of the house of bondmen, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.

Biblical history is full of the account of the deliverance from Egypt. God was keeping a covenant with Abraham which had been made hundreds of years before.

Biblical history also recounts the many times Israel went astray, and had to be punished for their error. But God was always merciful to them when they called on Him out of their distress. He preserved them until they had brought forth Jesus, who was to be their Messiah. "He came unto His own--". The nation had served its purpose, and now God would deal with them through Jesus Christ, on an individual basis.

They would be known as the Church of Jesus Christ. They would become the City of the Living God, the New Jerusalem, and Mount Sion.

Abraham "looked for a City which hath foundations." He was looking for the Church. He saw it afar off, and embraced it, but could not possibly live long enough for it to become a reality in the earth.

The "City" had its beginning on the day of Pentecost, when Jesus became Emmanuel, God with Us. This is the Jerusalem we are to pray for. Psalms 122:6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.

The Church, like our forefathers of Israel, have neglected to obey the voice of God, and are in "phase two" presently, bondage.

Today, we see the people of God in a state of captivities of several forms. In fact, Isaiah tells of seven different types of bondages, and says that God will stretch forth His hand the second time to recover His people.

Isaiah 11:11 And it shall come to pass in that day, [that] the Lord shall set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people, which shall be left, from Assyria, and from Egypt, and from Pathros, and from Cush, and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea.

We are cautioned not to abandon the Church on account of its captivity, but to pray for those who are responsible in it.

Jeremiah 29:7 And seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captives, and pray unto the LORD for it: for in the peace thereof shall ye have peace.

God is still on the Throne, and still remembers Abraham. He will bring about a very mighty deliverance in honor of His promise to the "Father of the Faithful."

Jeremiah 16:14 Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that it shall no more be said, The LORD liveth, that brought up the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt; But, The LORD liveth, that brought up the children of Israel from the land of the north, and from all the lands whither he had driven them: and I will bring them again into their land that I gave unto their fathers.

No one knows how much worse conditions will have to get before the Church cries for deliverance. Somewhere down the line, we will get on our knees and call on the God of Abraham.

Ezekiel 36:37 Thus saith the Lord GOD; I will yet [for] this be inquired of by the house of Israel, to do [it] for them; I will increase them with men like a flock.