A word spoken at the right time

NORSK, русский, Română, ქართული, Українська

King Solomon is the author of today’s headline, and the full proverb goes like this:

Like apples of gold in settings of silver
Is a word spoken at the right time.
Prov 25:11

It is simple to envisage the beauty and value of this jewellery or piece of art, and if you really have experienced being helped by a word spoken at the right time, you know that it can be more valuable than both gold and silver.

It has happened to me many times d uring my life, and that is why I also want God to speak through me so that other people can experience the blessing of being affirmed by God.

When I was a young lieutenant I got married to a beautiful young salvationist. It was love at first sight and we have been married for more than 40 years. The only inconvenience with the arrangement was that Magna was not an officer when we got married, which meant that I had to resign my officership. However, together we continued to serve as corps-leaders, and even though I was told that I had let the Army down I did not feel that had let God down in any way. That feeling came strongly a few months later. I was driving my car and lost control over it, and ended up in a severe accident. Magna escaped without a scratch, but I was seriously injured – and ended up in hospital for several weeks and had to undergo surgery twice. The reason why I felt I had let God down – and thereby confirmed that I also had let the Army down, was that I did not have a driving licence. I felt like a complete failure and that God never could use me anymore.

After being released from hospital and still on crutches I attended a large camp-meeting. There must have been 5-10.000 people in the congregation. Low in spirit we found some places far back in the hall. When the pastor Stanley Sjøberg from Sweden stood up to preach he said something like this:

Before I start my sermon this evening I have a message to a person in the congregation. You think that God has rejected you and that he will never be able to use you because you have broken the law, driven a car without a license and injured yourself in so doing. God wants you to know that you are forgiven and he will restore you into ministry.

For me these words were “like apples of gold in settings of silver” – therefore, I also know how important it is to eagerly desire to speak words that can bring healing to broken people.

‘Manna’ for today:

I want to speak a word in the right time!

Do you?
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What is the most special aspect of Jerusalem?

NORSK
Yesterday I started on the trek ‘up to Jerusalem’ as a preparation for Easter.
Actually, all the reflections for this period could have been linked to Jerusalem's unique position as the most important religious capital of the world. 

If the question in today's headline was given in a survey, I would not be surprised if the uniqueness as religious capital would receive the majority vote. 

Still, I want to focus on something else; however, I cannot claim to sit with the correct answer, if there is correct answer to the question. 

I remember very well the strong impression Psalm 87 made on me when I was preparing my messages for a tent-campaign in Lyngdal in the early 90s. The Psalm has only seven small verses, but I think it contains an important prophecy about the new birth:

And of Zion it is said:
“Each person was born in it,
but the one who will establish it is the Most High.”
Psalm 87:5

I think this is the most special aspect of Jerusalem. That was the reason why Jesus had to go up to Jerusalem. It was there that the foundation for the new birth had to be laid. The next few days I will try post reflections to substantiate this claim.

‘Manna’ for today:

I have never been in Jerusalem, but I was born there! (1)

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(1) May be you will make the same claim when you have read the entire Psalm:

God’s foundation is set on the holy mountains.
2 The Lord loves Zion’s gates
more than all of Jacob’s houses combined.
3 Glorious things are said about you,
the city of God! Selah
4 I count Rahab and Babel among those who know me;
also Philistia and Tyre, along with Cush—
each of these was born there.
5 And of Zion it is said:
“Each person was born in it,
but the one who will establish it is the Most High.”
6 The Lord makes a record as he registers the peoples:
“Each one was born there.” Selah
7 And while they dance, people sing:
“The source of my life comes from you.” 

Psalm 87