A nations stolen wealth

John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy:...

A wonderful young lady who was saved from prostitution by the power of God through our Internet ministry, would often say, "do not be wanting a gift from a stranger, because there will be a price to pay"

2 Kings 20:12 ...Merodach-baladan son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent Hezekiah his best wishes and a gift, for he had heard that Hezekiah had been very sick.

13 Hezekiah welcomed the Babylonian envoys and showed them everything in his treasure-houses -- the silver, the gold, the spices, and the aromatic oils. He also took them to see his armory and showed them all his other treasures -- everything! There was nothing in his palace or kingdom that Hezekiah did not show them.

14 Then Isaiah the prophet went to King Hezekiah and asked him, "What did those men want? Where were they from?"Hezekiah replied, "They came from the distant land of Babylon."

15 "What did they see in your palace?" Isaiah asked."They saw everything," Hezekiah replied. "I showed them everything I own -- all my treasures."

16 Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah, "Listen to this message from the LORD:

17 The time is coming when everything you have -- all the treasures stored up by your ancestors -- will be carried off to Babylon. Nothing will be left, says the LORD.

18 Some of your own descendants will be taken away into exile. They will become eunuchs who will serve in the palace of Babylon's king."

19 Then Hezekiah said to Isaiah, "This message you have given me from the LORD is good." But the king was thinking, "At least there will be peace and security during my lifetime." (NLT)

Hezekiah had become self centered and careless in his final years. He allowed the enemy to come and to look at all the secret treasures of Jerusalem. They would be coming back to steal it all. Our nation's secrets are being stolen too. It seems that the leadership cannot give away and waste our resources fast enough to accomplish their vision, but whose vision is it? The "ME" generation wants it all now, putting the nation's future in debt and in danger, including our ability to defend ourselves. Hezekiah showing his treasures to his enemies reminds me of what Jesus said.

Mat 7:6 Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.

Hezekiah who had been on his deathbed requested life and God gave him 15 more years. He was in a good mood when he exposed the nation's treasure to the enemy. When we witness for God, sometimes the enemy will attack and trample the word of God. This is like the swine who tramples our treasure under his  feet. We are to seek the true treasure and it is most precious to us. Daniel would be one of the ones who were taken into exile and made a eunuch in the king's palace, but he remained faithful to his God. Regardless of what comes to us because of careless leaders and the sins of the people, we are to remain faithful as God is faithful to us.

2Co 4:6  For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 

2Co 4:7  But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. 

We are to be humble and faithful servants of God with his light shining in and through us to give hope in the darkest of times. He is our strength and comforter, now and forever more.

John16:33  These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

We follow Jesus, looking to him who has gone before us and secured the victory.

A wicked leader

Prov 12:17  He that speaketh truth showeth forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit. 

1 Kings 14:21 Meanwhile, Rehoboam son of Solomon was king in Judah. He was forty-one years old when he became king, and he reigned seventeen years in Jerusalem, the city the LORD had chosen from among all the tribes of Israel as the place to honor his name. Rehoboam's mother was Naamah, an Ammonite woman.

22 During Rehoboam's reign, the people of Judah did what was evil in the LORD's sight, arousing his anger with their sin, for it was even worse than that of their ancestors.

23 They built pagan shrines and set up sacred pillars and Asherah poles on every high hill and under every green tree.

24 There were even shrine prostitutes throughout the land. The people imitated the detestable practices of the pagan nations the LORD had driven from the land ahead of the Israelites.

25 In the fifth year of King Rehoboam's reign, King Shishak of Egypt came up and attacked Jerusalem.

26 He ransacked the Temple of the LORD and the royal palace and stole everything, including all the gold shields Solomon had made.

Think about this now. A wicked king will allow every evil and the nation will be plundered of it's wealth, need I say more?

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We are not of them, we serve God and He is our strength.

Isa 41:10  Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

Isa 54:17  No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.

The word of God is our weapon and Jesus is our commander and savior.

John 17:14  I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
John 17:15  I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.
John 17:16  They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
John 17:17  Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
John 17:18  As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.

There will be persecution; count it as joy.

Mat 5:10  Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Mat 5:11  Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
Mat 5:12  Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven:

 for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

We are to pray.

Psa 122:6  Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.

1 Tim 2:1  I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
1 Tim 2:2  For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
1 Tim 2:3  For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
1 Tim 2:4  Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
1 Tim 2:5  For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

The battle is the LORD's and we are victorious in him.

Phil 4:4  Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.
Phil 4:5  Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.
Phil 4:6  Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
Phil 4:7  And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.