2 Samuel 15:18-37 - David Flees Jerusalem

2 Samuel 15:18-37

And the king said to Zadok, "Return the ark of God to the city. If I find favor in the sight of the Lord, then He will bring me back again, and show me both it and His habitation. But if He should say thus, "I have no delight in you," behold, here I am, let Him do to me as seems good to Him." (verse 25-26)

Message: David Flees Jerusalem

Time: Second Samuel is set in the land of Israel during the reign of David and follows the course of his forty years as king of Israel (1011–971 BC). It chronicles the establishment of the Davidic dynasty and the expansion of Israel under God’s chosen leader. 

What the Lord is Saying: Absalom, David's 3rd oldest son seems to be on a coup for the throne, but David is taking notice. And perhaps David is finally taking charge again because he has been most absent as a leader (at least from the point of view of this book of 2 Samuel) since his discretion with Bathsheba. 

David speaks to Ittai the Gittite to return to your own place. But Ittai wants to go with king and be wherever he is at. Ittai is a loyal friend and that friendship with David continues. 

"Zadok also came, and all the Levites with him carrying the ark of the covenant of God." Abiathar as well. But David asks that the ark return to the city. Thus, Zadok and Abiathar (part of the priesthood) returned the ark to Jerusalem. This is where David's leadership starts to show up again. 

David ascended the Mount of Olives weeping with people as well. David asks that the Lord "make the counsel of Ahithophel foolishness." God provided Hushai the Archite who met David but David says he will be a burden if he comes with David. So Hushai returns to Jerusalem as does Absalom. 

Summary: David is headed to Hebron and along the way Ittai comes along but he keeps others back in Jerusalem including the Ark of the Covenant. 

Promise: Plan wisely. 

Prayer: God, you are on the throne and only You. Help me to better understand these texts and what you are teaching me. Of late, I am struggling in my study and application. I pray for your guidance and understanding. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.

Mark 16:8 - Fearful Women

Mark 16:8
They went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had gripped them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.

Message: Fearful Women

Time: Mark's personal connection with Peter gave him the source material for this book. This book was composed probably between AD 57 and AD 59. It's a book that is on the move, leading to the cross. 39 times is the word 'immediately' used. Mark reveals Jesus as God's servant, reaching into the lives of people and effecting physical and circumstantial change.

What the Lord is Saying:

Preface - Jesus has been crucified on Friday and then breathed His last after crying out after 3pm. Joseph of Arimathea asks Pilate if he can bury Jesus (rather than just throwing him into a pit). Joseph buys linen and wraps Him in it and places Him in a tomb, rolling the stone shut. 3 women - Mary Magdalene, Mary (His mother) and Silome are nearby and on Sunday they head to Jesus to anoint Him more properly for burial. My Jewish rule it has been 3 days since he died. Upon getting to the tomb the stone has been rolled away. They enter and a young man (angel) tells them that Jesus has risen and Jesus will see them shortly in Galilee. They are to tell the other disciples and Peter.

They went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had gripped them. It is noteworthy that the first witnesses of the empty tomb are women. Yet, 1st century Jewish culture did not view the testimony of women as reliable. As we know Christianity hinges on the resurrection. Just recently I heard someone say there was no resurrection. Satan knows this and he has attacked this and pressed this thinking into worldly minds. If there is a resurrection people must accept Jesus, but to question it is to question its relevance and therefore question the entire theology of the gospel. In that light, if the assertion is that it is made up or false, then why would those making it up cite women as the first witnesses when they were not a trusted people group of the day? There would be no common sense in this.

The record is of these women is trembling and astonishment. The command by the young man (angel) to them was to go and tell the disciples and Peter. But there response recorded in this verse is instead - and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid. Instead of confidence and excitement gripping them, it was fear instead. And there response was to not tell anyone.

What is interesting here is verse 8 is the last verifiable verse of this gospel. This is likely the last words of Jesus in verses 9-20 are thought to have been written by someone else. So, what would the response of Mark have his audience have with a verse that says the two women left and fled, were trembling and told nothing to anyone, for they were afraid. Whether they are the last verses or not, the message is still that Jesus rose. The responses of the women here is something else. I must say I never knew this. I didn't know that verse 8 was possibly the last verse written by Mark for this gospel.

Regarding them not speaking to anyone. It is possible this non-speaking was simply because they were headed back to Jerusalem, the Holy City, the City in which the people had just crucified Jesus, and so these women possibly wanted to keep these words to themselves. So it's possible that keeping it to themselves did not mean that they would not follow through on the words told to them by the young man, but that immediately, it was not good to speak the words to the people in Jerusalem. There mission was to speak to the disciples and Peter and not necessarily the people in Jerusalem.

And perhaps there is nothing more that Mark needs to say. The resurrection is the culmination of Jesus' life. He said 3 times he would die and be resurrected and this is now what has occurred. Obviously, what was said by the young man would come true because everything about Jesus' life has been the truth thus far.

Summary - It is possible verse 8 is the last of Mark's words for this gospel. His words are that after the women have heard that Jesus has risen, they depart from that place and walk, but they walk with fear and tell no one. Perhaps they don't open their mouths in Jerusalem because the disciples are not yet present and the people of Jerusalem were involved in His crucifixion. Either way, the gospel is complete. Jesus lived, he died, and he resurrected.

Promise: Proclaim the message of Jesus. He has lived, died, and risen. He is my Savior and Lord.

Prayer: Thank you God for this wonderful message that you have given in the words of Mark. Thank you for the way he spoke and showing me the truth of Jesus and His great love for me and then how I am to share that love toward You and toward others. Grant me the power to do this. Change my ways Lord so that I see you as You really are. You are Holy and true and I want to testify of You throughout my life. I pray for courage. Even as I spoke of going to church with that sales rep yesterday from the bus company I don't want to back down but communicate my life and perhaps it can encourage others. O God be praised.

Mark 15:40-41 - Faithful Women

Mark 15:40-41
40 There were also some women looking on from a distance, among whom were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the Less and Joses, and Salome. 41 When He was in Galilee, they used to follow Him and minister to Him; and there were many other women who came up with Him to Jerusalem.

Message: Faithful Women

Time: Mark's personal connection with Peter gave him the source material for this book. This book was composed probably between AD 57 and AD 59. It's a book that is on the move, leading to the cross. 39 times is the word 'immediately' used. Mark reveals Jesus as God's servant, reaching into the lives of people and effecting physical and circumstantial change.

What the Lord is Saying:

Preface - Jesus is on the cross, having been crucified. He has breathed his last after darkness covered the face of the earth from 12pm to 3pm in the afternoon. He felt the rejection of the Father in crying out to him and then cried out later to signify it was over. Mark doesn't record much details of Jesus' words, but instead focuses on the responses of the people around Jesus. Most notable has been their mocking of Him, from bystanders, priests, even the robbers.

There were also some women looking on from a distance, among whom were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the Less and Joses, and Salome. In the Bible times, women and children are often the ones that are not highly regarded in society, but rather it is men. Yet, Jesus continually calls attention to women. And they are shown often to be the ones that are most faithful to Him. At times we see this in today's society as well. All to often, women are the ones that are taking their children to church, and really leading their families while husbands are not engaged in life, but focused on their own self-interests. It is rather a sad state of affair of life.

It appears that after Jesus' initial arrest many people that were a part of His group and following Him fled. But afterwards, Peter and John seemed to go after Jesus to see what was going to happen to Him. And here we see the words that there were also women looking on from a distance. Obviously they were sad from what they had seen - the mocking, the belittling of Jesus. And yet even the Centurion yesterday who cried out that Jesus was the Son of God.

Peter calls attention to this in what is recorded in verse 42. When He was in Galilee, they used to follow Him and minister to Him; and many other women who came up with Him to Jerusalem. They were steadfast. Often this wasn't the work of the disciples, but the women were near.

Summary - This is a brief message by Mark to talk about women and how they continued to follow Jesus and would continue to minister to Him. They took him seriously and stayed faithful to Him and Jesus reached out to them as well. It is at this time that Jesus has breathed His last and is on the cross.

Promise: We are to follow Jesus at all times, even when it seems dangerous. We can stand faithful to Him, even from afar.

Prayer: O Lord, I want to be known as a faithful follower of yours. I want to be like these women, who even from afar followed You and thought of you. I turn to You and turn away from my selfishness.

Mark 11:15-17 - Judgment on the Temple

Mark 11:15-17
15 Then they *came to Jerusalem. And He entered the temple and began to drive out those who were buying and selling in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who were selling doves; 16 and He would not permit anyone to carry merchandise through the temple. 17 And He began to teach and say to them, “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations’? But you have made it a robbers’ den.”

Message: Judgment on the Temple

Time: Mark's personal connection with Peter gave him the source material for this book. This book was composed probably between AD 57 and AD 59. It's a book that is on the move, leading to the cross. 39 times is the word 'immediately' used. Mark reveals Jesus as God's servant, reaching into the lives of people and effecting physical and circumstantial change.

What the Lord is Saying:

Preface - Jesus is headed to Jerusalem to begin his time before going to the cross. He first has the disciples go get the donkey he would then ride into Jerusalem on and fulfill messianic prophecies. He would go the temple but not do anything and then retreat to Bethany. The next day he was hungry and saw a leafy fig tree which meant it should have had fruit on it, but it didn't and pronounced a judgment on the tree that it would never bear fruit, which was likened to Israel and being a people that looked fruitful but were not.

Now they came to Jerusalem. And He entered the temple and began to drive out those who were buying and selling in the temple. What do we see here? We see Jesus entering the synagogue, which we have many records of occurring, but he saw something happening in the temple that wasn’t part of the purpose of the temple and he quickly drove those people out. The temple or church is the place for worship, teaching - nothing else. It is not a place to take advantage of those that are there. I have heard of this and thought of this as if church is a place to make business connections, but I must remember it has one singular purpose.

One of the problems that the old covenant people had was that they never really made a good effort in reaching the Gentiles.

In the first century, the Jerusalem temple did have a court of the Gentiles that measured some thirty-five acres where non-Jews could come and pray to Yahweh, the God of Israel. However, the Gentiles were not really welcome there. The popular Jewish mind-set hoped that the Messiah would cleanse the temple of all Gentiles. Moreover, when the Gentiles came to the court of the Gentiles in first-century Jerusalem, there was no welcome awaiting them. - Tabletalk, October 19, 2016

So this was the setting and Jesus would even remark in his response - My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations. This was a quote from Isaiah 56:7 - Even those I will bring to My holy mountain And make them joyful in My house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be acceptable on My altar; For My house will be called a house of prayer for all the peoples." Perhaps the previous section and the pronouncement of judgment on the house of Israel for not bearing fruit was a foreshadow now of this event. Rather than bearing fruit here in the temple and reaching out to the Gentiles or all the nations, the temple priests were focused on themselves and looking out for their own interests and their own gain. Again, this is contrary to Jesus' message previously as well about the need for us to be servants. We may have power but our role as a leader is to serve.

The temple is called My house. It is a place set apart for the worship of God. Yes, we are the church, but I personally think we as Christians need a place to go to, like a church, like a temple each week as it is a place set aside for a specific purpose, to worship God. Someone was telling me that it wasn't important to go to church because we are the church. That is true, but Jesus mentions the importance even here of being in the house of God. 

Summary - Jesus has come upon the temple now in Jerusalem and sees that its purpose has not been fulfilled. The temple is not just for the Israelites. It also has a section for the Gentiles, but he is bothered because the priests are not fulfilling their role to reach everyone and welcome everyone, but instead are focused on their own selfish desires and setting up the temple as a place to exchange goods and make for themselves a profit. 

Promise: From R.C. Sproul - "The Jews hoped that the Messiah would cleanse the temple of Gentiles, but Jesus cleansed the temple for the Gentiles." Jesus is Savior of all, not some. 

Prayer: O Lord Jesus thank you for showing that you are intended for all people and the Gentiles had a place set up for them in the temple. Your people are to reach all people, all the time. I want to be intentional in my walk with you and be open to all people as well. Give me the courage to be that person and love the way you love. 

Mark 10:32-24 - Delivered to the Gentiles

Mark 10:32-34
³² They were on the road going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking on ahead of them; and they were amazed, and those who followed were fearful. And again He took the twelve aside and began to tell them what was going to happen to Him, ³³ saying, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered to the chief priests and the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death and will hand Him over to the Gentiles. ³⁴ They will mock Him and spit on Him, and scourge Him and kill Him, and three days later He will rise again.”

Time: Mark's personal connection with Peter gave him the source material for this book. This book was composed probably between AD 57 and AD 59. It's a book that is on the move, leading to the cross. 39 times is the word 'immediately' used. Mark reveals Jesus as God's servant, reaching into the lives of people and effecting physical and circumstantial change.

What the Lord is Saying: 

Preface -  Jesus has concluded his lesson on salvation by reminding his audience that the heart must leave behind all that it holds dear (the lust of the eyes) and go in the opposite way. And yet, we need to realize that persecution may come. But the reward for this type of commitment is eternal life. He remarks then that the last are first. It is not the wealthy that automatically enter the kingdom of God as wealth can make you feel like you are in need of nothing.

Well, Mark has been talking salvation through the message of the Rich Young Ruler. They were on the road going up to Jerusalem. They are back on the road, going up to Jerusalem. They are still in Judea. and Jesus was walking on ahead of them. Jesus is now on the way to the cross. He has already spoken of the cross and spoken of the fact that he will die and rise again. He will mention it again soon. It's interesting to think, to ponder, to wonder what Jesus was experiencing or thinking at this time. He was walking ahead. Perhaps there was determination. Perhaps he simply wanted to prepare himself for the days ahead as they would be tough, for himself, a man.

and they were amazed - This seems to be talking about the disciples. and those who followed were fearful - those that were following along, not the disciples, but others, were fearful. It seems appropriate that the disciples and followers were amazed and/or fearful. Jesus has already been speaking about some things that they have not wanted to believe. There must have been consternation (dread, utter confusion) in their thinking. I'm not thinking anyone was looking forward to what Jesus had been saying would happen.

But Jesus knows this. While he is preparing himself, he is very concerned in what his followers, his disciples are thinking. And again He took the twelve aside and began to tell them what was going to happen to Him. This entire time in reading the Gospel of Mark, Jesus is spending time with the disciples, teaching them. The followers and audience sometimes do not get the entire message as it is being presented, so it is important that the disciples do get the exact message of what is going on in the life of Jesus. Granted, that doesn't mean that they will understand. For the disciples have not shows that they are quick at doing what he has told them to do. But it is possible they have heard the teaching. This is care and concern that Jesus has.

I've noticed lately, in our world there are service people, like doctor's and dentist's that do seem to be taking more time now to explain things. I think of my dentist and how careful he is in explaining the procedures that he is going to perform on me. Now that doesn't mean that when he performs his procedure that it isn't going to hurt. That also doesn't mean that I am going to accept what he does perfectly, but he has done his part in imparting information to me.

This is what Jesus is saying, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered to the chief priests and the scribes." The disciples must have thought Jesus was going cuckoo. This made no sense at all. They must have looked around at each other in bewilderment at what is being voiced to them. I'm still unpacking my understanding of why Jesus referred to himself often as the Son of Man instead of here saying, "and I will be delivered." It seems that the Son of Man title referred to his humanity. It would make sense that God would not have a reason to be delivered to the chief priests and the scribes. But, perhaps, walking as Man, there would be a reason. As God, he is not to be fit into a box. But, as man he could. 

Son of Man is also mentioned in Daniel 7:13-14. Daniel lived at a time about 600 years before Jesus. Yet, there obviously was a significance of Daniel and his prophecy and that it would be remembered by Jesus here. Those verses state: 

¹³ “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. ¹⁴ He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.

Like a son of man. Like a man but different. Verse 14 is clear about how he would be different. He had authority, glory and sovereign power, and is worshiped, his dominion and kingdom is permanent.

they will condemn Him to death and will hand Him over to the Gentiles. The light bulbs must have gone on for the disciples here or perhaps they were thinking, "O great, here he goes again, talking about his death." To be handed over to Gentiles was the worst fate of a Jewish person. It was a repeat of what Jews had experienced previously.

They will mock Him and spit on Him, and scourge Him and kill Him, and three days later He will rise again. Wow. This had to be hard to listen to. Up to this point they had not heard these details. Yes, he would die and yes, he would rise again three days later. But, now the details become clearer. He will be mocked, spit on, scourged and then killed. I'm thinking they knew that this meant crucifixion. Thus, they had great fear (v. 32). 

Summary - Jesus once again predicts his death and resurrection, but this time provides more details that include being delivered over to the scribes and chief priests and then to the Gentiles. Thus, all those that up to this point Jesus has to deal with, but also he has had an answer for, but now he would be mocked, spit on, scourged prior to his death. For the disciples to hear this must have been hard to accept. 

Promise: Jesus is preparing himself to bear the curse of God and bear the punishment for the sin of all of mankind. It will not be pretty. 

Prayer: Lord, I can't imagine the anger and wonder and fear that the disciples experienced at that moment when you told them of your fate. Yet, you had a purpose that we now understand so clearly. And while it makes sense, I still feel responsible for putting you to death because my sin makes me sorry for what I've done. And yet you do not desire me to sit in that sorrow or guilt or pain, but to realize I have been rescued and forgive. Your grace has covered me. Thank you for continuing to show me your Word and confirming Your divinity and sacrifice to me. If I can assist others in this understanding, show me the way.  
 

Revelation 21:3-4 - Our Joy to Come

Revelation 21:3-4
³ And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, ⁴ and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.”

Message: Our Joy to Come

Time: The date of the book in its present form is probably near the end of the reign of Domitian (A.D. 81–96), a fierce persecutor of the Christians. There was a unanimous agreement as to the Apostle John as its writer by the early church. Throughout the book there is a conflict of earthly personalities and people directed and energized by demons and especially Satan in order to overthrow Christ’s rule on earth. But the book climaxes with God’s ultimate triumph through Jesus Christ to overthrow evil and establish the kingdom.

What the Lord is Saying: If we die in faith, we go to be with the Lord in heaven. This heaven is an intermediate place, meaning this is not my final state. Thus, at some point, the spiritual disembodied existence I will enjoy in heaven before Christ returns will come to an end and another state will take its place (as is spoken of in Revelation 21). Our physical bodies will be resurrected and heaven will come down to earth and there will be a perfected creation living in this heaven on earth.

The first heaven and first earth pass away, as does the sea (v.1). The holy city comes down out of heaven from God....and God Himself shall be among them. This new city is a holy city out of heaven, down to earth and God resides there with them in the city. He shall wipe every tear from their eyes and there is no more death, mourning, crying or pain. Those that are there are he who overcomes. But the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone. Verse 8 expresses that not all will be there and those that are not know by Jesus, but instead by their sin, as their sin is not covered, they will not be present but will be in the lake of fire. But, the bride, the wife of the Lamb or the church will reside in the new Jerusalem. The city wasn't flat, but seemed to be a prism or cube of some sort, with streets of gold. This final home will be beautiful and grand and we will be content to live in the incredible glory of God (v. 22-27).

Promise: Our suffering will be worth it because it will have led to the vision of God's full beauty and glory.

Prayer: Lord, thank you that you have planned a place for your children, me, to live for all eternity. Thank you for your perfect design and your perfect ways and your perfect order. Help me to be a channel and to help others see this glory, this ideal state. Draw people to yourself and bring them into close unity with You as their God and Savior.

Romans 15:25-27 - Our Debt to the Jews

Romans 15:25-27 - ²⁵ but now, I am going to Jerusalem serving the saints. ²⁶ For Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem. ²⁷ Yes, they were pleased to do so, and they are indebted to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in their spiritual things, they are indebted to minister to them also in material things.

Message: Our debt to the Jews
 
Time: Written in AD 57 from Greece, to the Christians, both Gentile and Jewish in Rome

What the Lord is Saying:  

Background
In the last section, there was sort of a new theme that took place in the chapter. Paul is starting to conclude the book. His diatribe regarding Jews and Gentiles appears to be over. He has made his case for the Gospel and shown it is not a new message. He has helped the Christian understand that his faith is practical and it is not self-seeking, but is focused on others and this includes when we have differences with our brother, We are interested in other people's well being, not our own. And the Gospel is available to all, even the Gentiles. And once again, this is not a new message. 

Then, he mentions that his desire is not just to write letters, but it is also to visit people with the Gospel and see them face to face. He wanted to do this with the church in Rome. His ministry goal had been achieved in seeing the gospel expanded and preached, but now he had a new desire to take it to Spain, which seems to be further than he originally thought possible. And along the way he could stop and see his friends in Rome. 

But first
Even though he has told the church his ambition to come to them and go to Spain, he first mentions that he is to go to Jerusalem and serve the saints. Paul is a man of his word. 

John MacArthur comments about Jerusalem and their condition:

There was a famine throughout Palestine, and because of persecution by unbelieving Jews, many Christian men lost their jobs and many others were put in prison, making bad conditions still worse for their families. In addition to that, many foreign Jews who were visiting Jerusalem for the Feast of Pentecost were converted to Christ and decided to remain in the city, usually as guests of believers who lived there.

Yes, it is true that Paul's ambition was the gospel, but that doesn't mean he let other things be lessened. He saw the need in Jerusalem for encouragement that the the Christians needed in Jerusalem. Christians were there and yet receiving persecution. While others were arriving and converting to Christ.

The Giving Body of Christ
And Paul mentions how the people of Macedonia and Achaia have come to the aid of those in Jerusalem. They saw a need and desired to meet it. This is a great picture of how Christians help one another. God has given us the capacity to care for those hurting and in need. We do desire to assist people and again, make others more important than ourselves.

Paul had planted a church in Philippi, the capital of Macedonia and also the major city of Thessalonica. The capital of Achaia was Corinth. The family of God were meeting the financial needs of the poor in Jerusalem. What a beautiful picture.

The gospel is not just about meeting people's needs with the Gospel, but it is also about helping their temporal needs, which may include providing money or clothes or food. And in verse 27 is the words that these gifts were not an obligation but were voluntary: "They are pleased."

But not only did they want to give to, but the wanted in some way to pay back, for they were benefactors of the work of those in Jerusalem. And Paul makes the point that receiving spiritual blessings means we are to share in material blessings received.

There is a key word in verse 27 and it is minister. When we share what God has provided us with others, it is as if we are ministering to them, and therefore, what we are doing is glorifying God through our gift. The tithe is really to be a gift to God, benefiting a ministry, but ultimate a returning of blessing we have received to God. And in this way, when helping the poor here in this context, conveys the same type of giving a tithe. It is a service to God like prayer or teaching.

Promise: From Tabletalk on November 17, 2015, "As Gentile Christians, we owe a great debt tot he old covenant community and the Jewish people. God chose them as the first recipients of His special revelation. He saves the world through a Messiah who is of Jewish ethnicity. Jewish Apostles wrote the vast majority of the New Testament (Luke-Acts being the exception) and preached the gospel to the Gentiles. Let us not forget that debt, and let us seek to "repay" it by supporting Christian ministry to the Jewish people.

Zechariah 12

Message: The final siege of Jerusalem and the lifting of the siege (connected with Second Coming of Christ).

Time: Written after the Temple Was Completed circa 480-470BC

What the Lord is Saying: In this chapter Jerusalem is mentioned 10 times. The phrase "in that day" is mentioned 7 times in reference to the Day of the Lord (Great Tribulation Period).

Jerusalem is to be protected and specifically during the Second Coming of Christ and the tribulation period.

The Lord

• stretched out the heavens
• laid the foundations of the earth
• formed the human spirit

So? He has the power. Jerusalem will be protected. It will be an immovable rock. Nations will try but will be unsuccessful. A lot will be going on around Judah, but God is watching over you. You have enemies but they will be blinded. Strength will be found in the Lord. You will have security amidst chaos around you. The weakest will be as mighty as the highest King.

And then God will pour out a spirit of grace and prayer. They will be overcome with this spirit of forgiveness. People will  have sorrow

Promise: Physical renewal cannot occur until there is true spiritual renewal.