What a Bizarre World!

One of the definitions given in the dictionary for the word "bizarre" is: "marked by extreme contrasts and incongruities." Yesterday I was privileged to share in a luncheon with about two dozen other believers. We were engaged in a conversation about what is happening in our world and trying to reconcile those events with the Scriptures. Repeatedly the word "bizarre" was used in describing events today.

It is bizarre to realize our President, who does not have one day of experience running any-sized business, could fire the head of one of the largest publicly held corporations in the world and begin to dictate what that corporation could or could not do. It has never happened before. No wonder Wall Street reacted with jitters. Whose head would roll next? It is bizarre to think that the only sector of our economy that is growing is that of government. I recently read in "Business Week" that during the next two years the economy of Washington DC will grow by nearly 5%, while the rest of the country will decline by nearly that same amount. I guess if you have a government position you have job security.

And who would have thought that cries would be heard around the globe for a one-world currency. Both the Chinese and Russians have stated that a global currency is needed. And why is that? The Chinese are heavily invested with American debt, and right now the dollar is not exactly a currency of strength; especially since we are printing dollars at almost a record pace. This is just another indication that a one-world government is no longer just science fiction.

And isn't it bizarre how the world continually tries to isolate Israel. The Arab League, meeting in Qatar, issued an ultimatum to the newly formed Netanyahu government that Israel accept the 2002 Saudi Plan or face the threats of an united Arab world. Next, rumbles came from the European Union head, the Czech Foreign Minister, who said that unless Israel subscribed to the "two-state solution" drastic consequences would be meted out by the Europeans. And the actions of the American government only mirrors those of others. In fact, I was reading in one of the Israeli papers this morning that Israel believes it will have to act alone with regard to Iran...and the article stated, Israel will not tell anyone their plans.

As one reads Ezekiel 38 and 39 - the upcoming war with Gog and Magog - one can begin to understand what that ancient prophet was saying. Israel will be isolated. When the threat comes from the North, there will be no aid from either Europe or America to help her. Her only source of strength will be God alone...but that will be sufficient for her.

It is bizarre to think of how quickly our government is showing weakness. Plans are now in place to reconsider the missile shield that was to protect Europe from Iranian missiles. President Obama has declared that he will reduce military spending, scrape many of the new weapons systems, thus weakening our defensive capabilities. It was President Teddy Roosevelt who said, "Speak softly, but carry a big stick!" Well, today we are speaking softly, but we have forgotten to carry the big stick. In fact, we no longer have a big stick.

And then there are the increasingly bizarre teachings impacting today's church. But we will save those for another blog visit. Suffice it to say that we must be ever watchful for deception that not only creeps into the church, but is even now walking proudly through the front door.

As our discussion of the bizarre events happening in our world concluded yesterday, I reminded the group that we hold this strong truth: our God is in absolute control. He is the master strategist. And everything is happening according to His timetable and plan. So we should not despair for these are exciting days. Let's continue putting our trust in Him.