MOMENTOUS MOVEMENTS

I Was Just Thinking About - - -

Public Radio International recently broadcast the following: “In what is now being called the largest exodus from a single conflict in a generation, more than 11 million Syrians are either displaced from their homes inside the country, or have fled across the border. That is an implosion of absolutely fundamental, almost biblical proportions, says David Miliband, the president of the International Rescue Committee and a former British Foreign Secretary. What the people are saying to us, to all of our staff there, is 'Has the world forgotten us? The burden of the refugee crisis is being shouldered largely by Syria's neighbors, especially Lebanon, Jordan and Iraq, Turkey. The United States has historically been generous to refugees from war-torn nations. But it has offered a home to fewer than 1000 Syrians since the conflict began more than four years ago.”  

Currently, there is an influx of refugees into Europe. News reports indicate “Millions of immigrants displaced from their homelands are now asylum seekers in Germany, Hungary, Austria, Italy and other EU countries.” Other reports summarize the worsening situation with this reminder: “The global community must not remain indifferent to this matter of grave concern. They should come up with a unanimous opinion for a sustainable solution. Because how long and how many émigrés Europe will provide them with a shelter remains a question.” In The Times of Israel, the following thoughts and fears are shared: “At a Holocaust memorial event in Paris on Sunday, French Chief Rabbi Haim Korsia urged Europe’s leaders to match the actions of non-Jews who saved Jews from the Nazis by welcoming Syrian refugees. Yet as many European Jews rush to the refugees’ aid in word and deed, some worry that letting them stay may further contribute to the anti-Semitic violence driving Jews to leave Europe, much of it perpetrated by immigrants from the Middle East. Eager to exploit such fears, ISIS claimed in July that it had sent 1,000 fighters to infiltrate Europe as refugees. Some of these new immigrants — the Syrians and Iraqis especially — have been taught to hate Jews. We risk further increases in anti-Semitism’ Some of these new immigrants — the Syrians and Iraqis especially — have been taught to hate Jews.”

There are Biblical guidelines, principles and applications that can be drawn from Isaiah 58:6-8, “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter, when you see the naked, to clothe them…” The words from the Lord, Jeremiah 22:3-5, “Thus says the Lord: Do justice and righteousness, and deliver from the hand of the oppressor him who has been robbed. And do no wrong or violence to the resident alien, the fatherless, and the widow, nor shed innocent blood in this place…” In James 2:14-17, “What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, Go in peace, be warmed and filled, without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” In other words, the Biblical Christian should not turn his back on those who are oppressed and displaced. Before God, each of us has an obligation to be concerned enough to do what we can to alleviate the desperate plight of thousands and millions today. The resources of reputable organizations such as Samaritan’s Purse and the Salvation Army are being stretched beyond imagination. To do nothing places you in James 2. To do what you can for as many as you can places you in Matthew 25:34-40. Which group are you in? The world is trending toward cultural calamity. Will you be and make a difference now - today? Consider these things with me!