Psalm 11- Brothers and Sisters in Iraq

     I knew that bad things were happening in Iraq, but I really didn't know what exactly. And when I found out, my heart was crushed. I have been broken this week as I see more and more pictures and read stories of babies being taken from their parents and beheaded because the family is Christian. Women are being raped and killed while their husbands are being hung, even some crucified, to mock Jesus and what He did on the cross for you and for me. There is such a hard, fine line for me to decide what to do- one, do I just ignore these pictures because they are so horrific and disturbing. Or two, do I keep looking at them and reading stories so I can stay informed and know how to pray. I've talked to Jason about it every night this week, and the best word to describe how I feel is crushed. I have wept myself to sleep night after night thinking about innocent families being torn apart and murdered. Yes, it's not encouraging or comfortable to talk about or to write about, but it is reality. It is happening to our brothers and sisters all over the world, not just in Iraq. I think because we have it so good in the United States, and we have become so comfortable, we erase these things from our minds and try not to think about them to make ourselves feel better. Well, I know for me I have become calloused about a lot of things and I get wrapped up in my own little world of comfort. I don't want to be like that anymore. I am beyond thankful for our freedom. I am thankful that as I sit here writing, I look at my son- he is safe and sound asleep in his bed- comfortable and free from danger. I am thankful that my husband can come home to me after a long day of work and we can freely talk about what the Lord has been teaching us, and we can train up our child, soon to be children, in a Godly way. I don't ever want to become calloused and forget that we have it so good here.

     I find myself questioning "why and how someone could do something so horrible to people- how people could literally murder a child and not think twice about it? How can people hate other people so much?" It breaks my heart as a mama to even imagine what families must be going through in Iraq. I even thought to myself- what would it be like, and how would I respond, if someone came barging in our home and threatened to kill my child and husband? My mind can't comprehend those thoughts, and I literally weep because I know there are mommies and daddies having to experience that right now at this very moment. They are having to choose a false religion or die proclaiming Jesus.

     I know we are not to live in fear. Fear is not from the Lord, it is from Satan. Satan wants to have control and he comes to "steal, kill, and destroy" and he wants to be victorious, but he isn't. I am so thankful for a husband who has been reminding me that the Lord has already won- no matter what we face or how many horrible situations may come, God has already won! Satan tries to manipulate people into believing their "religion" or their "god" is real, but he has been defeated and will not win! Satan is mad because he is eternally damned from Heaven, and will never win!


Ephesians 6:12  "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." 

     I have to remind myself of this verse as I think about the evil and hate that is in our world. I have never been more broken over this, but it has literally brought me to my knees in prayer. I'm just being honest because I know the Lord has brought me there, but it's been a long time since I've been that broken over something to fall to my knees and pray. This whole issue in Iraq has made me pray more. I don't feel like there is anything else I can do but pray. And it's the only thing that comforts me when I am hurting for the families. I need to pray for our brothers and sisters more often, and this has caused me to do just that. 
     I opened my Bible to find some scripture that I could read to remind me that God is in control, and He is taking care of His people. I turned to Psalm 11, and this is what it says.

Psalm 11: 1-7

"In the Lord I take refuge. How then can you say to me: 'Flee like a bird to the mountain. For look, the wicked bend their bows; they set their arrows against the strings to shoot from the shadows at the upright in heart. When the foundations are being destroyed, what can the righteous do?' 
THE LORD IS IN HIS HOLY TEMPLE; THE LORD IS ON HIS HEAVENLY THRONE. He observes the sons of men; his eyes examine them. The Lord examines the righteous, but the wicked and those who love violence his soul hates. On the wicked He will rain fiery coals and burning sulfur; a scorching wind will be their lot. FOR THE LORD IS RIGHTEOUS, HE LOVES JUSTICE; UPRIGHT MEN WILL SEE HIS FACE."

I will read this verse over and over, and be encouraged that the Lord is watching over his people! He is on His throne- He knows what is going on in our land, and He is not taken by surprise. He will punish the wicked in His time. After seeing the horrible pictures and hearing all the stories, I am reminded that the Lord is Lord, and He is in ultimate control. He will reward His righteous people who trust in Him. 
So, I guess the reason I wrote this is more so for me- for peace in my heart knowing that God is never taken back by Satan's work. He is allowing it to happen, but He will reward the righteous who trust in Him and they will see His face! That excites me! And to know that He will also the unrighteous suffer- scripture says "his soul hates those who are wicked and love violence." Psalm 11:5

Will you continue to pray with me about this? I know there is a lot of stuff going around about it, but the best thing we can do is PRAY! Let's not be ignorant and completely disregard what is happening because it isn't comfortable to talk about- because it could very well happen to us one day. We need to fall to our knees and literally cry out to the Lord to hear our prayers, and He will! I am encouraged and I hope you are too!