Two Cities - Where is the LORD?

As the small band of war torn refugees approached the purported city of refuge (Known as the “City of the LORD” and the “City of Peace”), they gathered everything within their souls to muster up enough strength to travel the last mile of their frightful journey to the hope of safety. Still a bit blurry within that last mile of distance, the full sight of their hope begins to slowly diminish as their blurred vision starts clearing to see that the “Beautiful City of Hope” has become another city of oppression. {This city, potentially, is a greater threat than the battles they had faced. } They now have turned abruptly, just plodding forward with what little strength that remains, to at least die with dignity beyond the clutches of the city that was before them … What had happened to that city of promising peace and safety? Where was the LORD? (Read Zephaniah 3)

Within each of our lives there is a tale of two cities. This tale is actually the story of our choices of life that can bring hope or oppression to our lives and to the lives of those with whom we daily interact. Within our hearts there is either a transforming story of a progressive desire to trust in and draw close to our God; or a decadent tale of a refusal to trust and (even in great despair ) to keep our distance from the only One that desires to save us.

Our lives can offer up a daily breath of fresh air and spark a renewed hope to those around us. But if our choices are focused solely on what we can get for ourselves, amassing the sum total of the getting for our own consumption, we become a life sucking vacuum in the lives of others. There is also an expectation to be loved by friends and family that can lead to further pressure in their lives if all we have to offer is “give me!”. The LORD can be found in the life of every city, every soul … because (as stated in II Peter 3:9) “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” Where is He in your city … your life? How is He positioned to keep His promise?

In the City or the Life that is poured out solely for self-gain and self-pleasure where there is a purposeful or ignorant movement away from God, this is how He is positioned: Zephaniah 3:5 – “The just LORD is in the midst thereof; He will not do iniquity: every morning doth He bring His judgment to light, He faileth not; but the unjust knoweth no shame”. He is right in the midst of the oppression. He will not do wrong. He stands in all fairness as the constant reminder that He will not vary in His judgment of sin; but those who are unjust refuse to blush and refuse to let their shame turn them towards Him. A sad oppressive city!

In the City or the Life that is poured out for others, where there is a purposeful movement towards God (although there may temporal calamity and poverty because “we are in the world, not of it”), the Lord has positioned Himself to be the Rescuer, the Rejoicing Encourager, and the Joyful Singer over us... all because He is satisfied within His Love for us (John 3:16). Zephaniah 3:17 - “The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; He will save, He will rejoice over thee with joy; He will rest in His love, He will joy over thee with singing”. When the Lord is “thy God” ...He “is mighty”... “in the Midst of thee” in His daily declaration of His joy filled love for you. Such a stark contrast to His positioning in the midst of the life that chooses to be without Him. A Joyful City of Refuge!

One thing to note: There will be conflict in both cities until “The Day break and the shadows flee away”... until the Beloved Ones enter the final, eternal city of their God. If our minds are clear, none of us want conflict, but it is that “once and for all” Faith Choice in Jesus Christ as our LORD and Saviour that now has made us a target for the battering of the oppressor. If the oppressor can discourage our daily decision to live openly and joyfully in Christ's love (the only place of life changing power), then the Song of Saviour may be silenced for other war torn refugees seeking the true City of Salvation.

His Love Will Conquer All! Rest in His love, He does.

HLFA,
Jeff

Zephaniah 3:19,20 (Hang on to this vision when the going gets rough, and weep for the outcasts) - “Behold, at that time I will undo all that afflict thee: and I will save her that halteth (that is lame), and gather her that was driven out; and I will get them praise and fame in every land where they have been put to shame. At that time will I bring you again, even in the time that I gather you: for I will make you a name and a praise among all people of the earth, when I turn back your captivity before your eyes, saith the LORD.”

This grand prophesy is for Israel, but the active daily prophetic implications are for His people who are in the conflict for the souls of men, women and children. Fight a good fight for the Souls He puts us in contact with...they are not the enemy.