While people all across America are wringing their hands over what is happening in the Middle East, can I ask that those of us who are Christians get a grip?  Can I ask that those who name Jesus as Lord not be like the world but rather think Biblically?  Can I suggest that we reflect the difference that Christ makes in our life rather than get so worked up?

Here’s the situation: Egypt is in chaos… The “Muslim Brotherhood” warns about war with Israel… Iran taunts Washington… and gas prices could bust wide open.  How all this will effect the world is yet to be seen.  Then there’s North Korea… China… and a laundry list of so many potential flash points it is dizzying.

So how are Christians to think?  Consider the Scripture.  Read these slowly.  Drive them deep into your soul.  And trust God!

There is a reason… found in Scripture… why the Middle East will always be unstable.  Gen 16:11-12… “And the angel of the Lord said to her (Hagar), “Behold, you are pregnant & shall bear a son. You shall call his name Ishmael, because the Lord has listened to your affliction. 12 He shall be a wild donkey of a man, his hand against everyone & everyone’s hand against him, & he shall dwell over against all his kinsmen.”  All of Ismael’s descendants (Egyptians, Palestenians, Syrians, Iranians, etc) will always be against one another because of Abram and Sari not waiting on God to fulfill His promise His way.

Now consider the Scripture…

Proverbs 18:10 The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe.

Daniel 4:32 The Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom He will.

Proverbs 21:1 The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; He turns it wherever He will.

Daniel 4:35 All the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, and He does according to His will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay His hand or say to Him, “What have you done?”

Isaiah 46:9 Remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me, 10  declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all My purpose…

Philippians 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Matthew 6:25 “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26  Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?  27 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?  28 And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin,  29 yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.  30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?  31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’  32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.  33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.