BFn Notes

There are difficulties that many faithful students of the Bible face today, especially in countries such as the USA where there are powerful movements trying to deny and abolish belief in the Deity and to establish unacceptable practices. Perhaps this can be said of many cities that still retain Christian communities, some of which can be numbered in the thousands and even the millions. Does the Bible give these people the hope of their prayers being heard? The Psalms and other prophecies, such as Isaiah, can give assurance and comfort to those who have confidence in the God of Israel.

Shavuot the Jewish feast of seven weeks in Greek is known as Pentecost as it is a count of 50 days after Pesach (Passover). Pentecost may speak of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit to a Christian, but do we understand that the gift was given to reward thankfulness? The half-glass of life was over-flowing for the Apostles!

Hope leads to joy. We can know what a world looks like where few have a confident hope of a life beyond the dubious pleasures and pain of this life. To have a confident and sure hope, with evidence in our lives and prophetic events playing out as expected to the hope of an expected end of the best of all worlds: that is joy.

Recently I was struck by the emotional faith building content of the Psalms, and I realised that they are very unique, not just in the context of the Bible, but in global literature. Where else is there an emotional outpouring of prayer in a dialogue with the Creator of troubles, confidence and faith of such depth and width that it covers every circumstance of life?

Russia is on the move: tanks, troops the whole lot towards the Ukraine border. Some call it a crisis, we don't know how it will play out precisely but we suspect its end will be Russian control over their ancient capital Kiev – and power with Franco German Europe. Likely it's not world war right now but the outcome will be Armageddon.

I have been pondering the significance of the blocking of the Suez by the Ever Given. At the very least it has brought the world's attention to the importance of the waterway for global trade. There are conspiracy theories, for good reason – as it likely it wasn't caused by the wind, or the sand.

At a time when Israel had forsaken their God and turned against him to commit sins and turn to the worship of idols, Isaiah reminded the people of Yahweh’s mercy and his great power.

Events are speeding up with the world in a state of flux, nations are now not sure of what will come next

21 March 2021 Iran, Russia Turkey - and the Saudis

Prince Harry is now making waves with his wife Meghan's statements undermining the Monarchy. But Harry himself was in hot water for his involvement in the American presidential election. Megan now says she regrets speaking out on that matter, due to British backlash. The new backlash to her Oprah interview is political. Is there a lesson here?

Events are speeding up with the world in a state of flux, nations are now not sure of what will come next

8 March 2021 American weakness leads to Middle East centred world