Amidst the turmoil of modern-day global conflicts, the question posed in Psalm 11:3 becomes all the more poignant: “When the foundations are being destroyed, what can the righteous do?” This ancient verse not only expresses the unease felt when witnessing societal decay, but also highlights the stark difference between areas of peace and those affected by conflict in our world today.
The ongoing wars in Ukraine, Gaza, and several other regions starkly illustrate a world where life, for many, has come to a standstill. Meanwhile, in areas untouched by such strife, life proceeds unaffected, as if insulated from the global tapestry of suffering and unrest. This juxtaposition raises profound questions about our collective moral compass and the global community’s capacity for empathy and action.
This divide is emblematic of what can be seen as “egocentric nonsense” – a term that encapsulates the indifference and self-centered justifications that perpetuate conflicts. The narrative of indifference is not just a failure of empathy but a reflection of a deeper ethical malaise where the significance of human life and dignity is overshadowed by political, ideological, or nationalistic priorities.
The ethical challenge we face is not merely recognising the disparities between peace and conflict zones but addressing the underlying attitudes that allow for such divides to persist. The call to action is for a global reawakening to the values of empathy, solidarity, and a shared commitment to the well-being of all individuals, irrespective of geographic or political boundaries.
In reflecting on Psalm 11:3, it’s important to consider that the foundations worth preserving aren’t just those of individual morality, but also of global ethical responsibility. As we face uncertain times, we need to take action and implement policies that bring people together, promote global empathy, and prioritize the collective human good over individual or nationalistic interests
Concluding, the question posed by Psalm 11:3 serves as a catalyst for a deeper exploration of our roles within a global society. It urges us to consider how we, as individuals and as part of a larger community, can contribute to healing, understanding, and ultimately, to building a more just and compassionate world.
In a world full of difficulties, wars, hunger, suffering, and other intricacies, the words of 1 Corinthians 13:13 are a source of inspiration for the fundamental virtues that define the human spirit: faith, hope, and love. This verse is not just a religious doctrine; it is a universal principle that goes beyond all faiths and encompasses the core values of a fulfilling life.
Faith is a powerful force that keeps us anchored to our beliefs and convictions, guiding us through the ups and downs of life. It gives substance to our hopes and provides evidence for the things that we cannot see. One wise person once said, “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Faith is the cornerstone of our lives. It is the unwavering belief in ourselves, others, and the mysterious forces that guide us through the ups and downs of existence.
Hope is a powerful beacon that shines through even the darkest of times. It is an optimistic state of mind that gives us the courage to envision positive outcomes and strive towards them. With hope, we can overcome uncertainty and keep moving towards a brighter future, where we overcome trials and tribulations, and perseverance bears fruit.
Love, however, is widely considered the most precious virtue one can possess. It can unite and mend broken relationships and triumph over animosity and enmity. It is characterised by patience, kindness, humility, and lack of jealousy. Love never boasts or dishonours others; instead, it is selfless, honest, protective, hopeful, and persevering. Love is an unfailing force that can conquer all.
In this world that often seems torn apart by endless conflicts and differences, these three virtues remain pillars of our humanity: faith, hope, and love. These virtues, when practised collectively, have the power to transform not only individual lives but also the very fabric of society. Faith guides us, hope sustains us, and love brings out the essence of our humanity to its fullest expression. In love, we find the purest reflection of the divine, the ultimate testament to our shared humanity, and the pathway to a more compassionate world.
There is a question that is often asked after a crime has occurred. It goes this way: “Do you know your neighbour?”
As light as we may take this question, it offers profound insight into an individual’s life and personhood. In fact, it is only after a crime has been committed in our neighbourhood that we learn that we know little about the suspect neighbour. Therefore, it emphasises our limitations and the necessity of caution when dealing with our personalities; besides, many people are adept at concealing their true intentions and character.
There are two duties that the above verse exhorts us: our way of living and the contributions we make to the world around us. Taking on the appearance of one thing while being something else when we do things shows that we are not straightforward. We must align our attitudes, actions, and reactions with the values of our faith. As Christians, we should question our identity whenever we act or do things that do not conform to our claims of following God.
Do you know your neighbour is simply a better way of saying, “Do you know you?”
David knew when to let go. There is nothing as energy-draining as fighting against something or someone that one cannot change. Here, David committed an adulterous sin that resulted in a child, and he wanted to keep both the fruit of the evil and the mother. However, God is ahead of him. He alone knows how to sort out the matter because the blood of Uriah must be avenged. It would be wrong if David got away with his wrongdoing. Hence, the child must die for Uriah’s vindication. Once the baby was gone, everyone in the palace was afraid to inform David, who had been interceding to atone for his sin and for Jehovah to spare the child. Not this time. Fighting a battle already lost ahead is a worthless effort. They finally told him about the death of the child. To the amazement of those around him, David got up, freshened, ate his meal, and worshipped Jehovah. David was beautifully broken, but he realised life goes on despite not winning the anticipated battle. Which is worth it, to lose a lost combat or to accept the defeat, untie one’s cord, and move on?
Fear is a dreadful thing. However, a fear born out of sin is deadly. Consequentialism, as part of normative ethics, emphasises an outcome orientation based on someone’s actions. It is about the greater good, not solely for the individual but for the entire society. People at fault have many reasons to fear being caught in their acts. No one fled if no one was pursuing them. Any wrongdoing comes with consequences comprising guilty conscience, fearful thoughts about others finding out what they did, and the certainty that they will not succeed in avoiding retribution. A Christian who obeys the natural law and the rules and regulations have nothing to fear. They are blameless though that does not means they are perfect. Instead, they have learned to recognise that being Christ-like comes with a price, which is avoiding at all costs any attitudes or any behaviour that will damage the Personhood of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Faith, oh, the word. Faith. One of the first things that come to mind when hearing such comments is believing. Sure it is what it is. However, Faith is much more than that. It lives on in the terms we utter, thoughts, emotions, and reactions to everyone and everyday life. It is one thing to believe but another to work towards that belief. Faith is easy and sometimes difficult to hold on to, especially amid trials. Facing tumultuous moments can send one’s Faith flying out through the windows. The issue is that there is left a void in which one has ejected Faith. Every situation survives for a temporary period, which implies it is not going to stay forever. Many used to say that ‘what doesn’t kill us makes us strong’. Keep the faith!
Some things are permitted, but not everything. To be told not to discriminate against others does not necessarily have to be a burden. Genuine Christians know discrimination is unacceptable, and they, therefore, will avoid such. Living wise entails knowing when to set boundaries. What to let in versus what to keep out far away from one’s life.
Jehovah’s presence is ever present to those who are sincere in their relationship with Him. He is ever present to anyone who truly loves Him and does not doubt His existence. In His presence we find our peace and true meaning to life.
The healing process after being injured by others may take a long time. The majority of people get over it, but others may not. There is no single answer to this since it depends on the individual and their perception of life.
As a result, many people want to take up the battles of others, such as retaliation against their forefathers who harmed them. There is, however, one question that needs to be answered: whose battles are they fighting?
As much as a stone is thrown at someone else, it is also thrown at oneself. The desire to avenge creates a space for hatred to flourish. When fighting for retribution for wrongs done to close friends and family members, one does not allow them to think freely about themselves. Can they ever be sure that their people have not wronged others in the same manner? I, for one, am unwilling to participate in my father’s battle without a clear understanding of what he is believed to have caused others.
The courage to make a U-turn and realise why fighting someone’s battle forever directly indicates that one is on the wrong path is difficult.
The cost of hate is not worth it. Kindness towards all people, regardless of race, colour, personhood, abilities, shape, and size, is what makes life worth it.
There is a stray cat in our garden. I have no idea how he (or she) got there. However, I can guess he is there because he must have seen my cat through the windows. Mine is an interior cat, while this stranger seems to have no home.
Mine
To declare the cat does not have a home might be an exaggeration. Unlike typical stray cats, this one allows me to touch and often prefers playing instead of eating the food offered him (her). My guess is the only owner is an older person because we have lots of older residents on our street.
Our new friend
It was nearly three months ago, and our new friend comes daily. Perhaps he (she) sleeps or not in our garden, except this is unclear. What is undoubtedly going on is how we have transitioned from giving this cat our cat leftovers to offering it fresh meals. Is that due to our hearts of kindness? Probably.
Every living being, human or animal, deserves our attention. We do not have to go beyond our capacity (unless in extreme cases) to demonstrate that we care. A little bit of kindness can go a long way. That is why it is not only during the Christmas period that we must show others we care. It must be a permanent habitual thing.
I have decided to adopt the cat, but that will be after being certain it has no home to go to.
Why are many anti-media, having no television, avoiding listening to the radio, and ignoring the newspapers? I have heard lots of them give uncountable reasons, such as (1) to protect themselves and their children; (2) it’s mostly full of bad news; (3) it’s a waste of time; and (4) it’s gradually becoming immoral.
“But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.”
Some may counterattack, justifying it is about feeling good from the inside out. However, understanding that is far from Jehovah’s agenda is essential. The Lord made man and woman in His image. He did not make a mistake. For anyone to think that their body is the wrong person is a direct confrontation with Jehovah’s creation.
As we evolve with the world, must we develop in the wrong direction, thereby forgetting or pushing aside the principles of our Lord Jesus Christ?
“If you make the Lord your refuge, if you make the Most High your shelter,”
Psalms 91:9 NLT
Introduction to Psalm 91:9
Psalm 91:9 is a Bible verse popularised by the song “The King of Love My Shepherd Is” by John Tavener. It is also known as “The Shepherd’s Psalm”. This psalm is part of the Book of Psalms, one of the most popular ones in the Bible. The verse talks about how God will protect and save us from any danger we may face.
The Verse’s Meaning and How it Relates to Modern-Day Anxiety
The verse’s meaning and how it relates to modern-day anxiety are explained in this article. The bible verse mentioned in the section is connected to Psalm 46:10, “Be still, and know that I am God.”
This verse is often used as a tool for calming down and thinking more clearly when experiencing anxiety, which is being in an awful state. It’s a normal emotion that humans have felt for centuries, and it can be traced back to the Bible when Jesus was feeling the same way. I argue that a person often experiences anxiety because they have an understanding of God that is too small, making them feel insignificant and unworthy. This leads to the person worrying about what will happen to them and the future, creating intense anxiety. Quoting Psalm 46:10 as part of scripture help people overcome fears and find peace. God is not far. Jehovah is not sleeping to the extent that He cannot hear or know what is going on with His children.
Why This Verse Is So Powerful
The verse, “We are not human beings having a spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings having a human experience,” is one of the most potent and life-saving verses I know. It had given me the strength to carry on when my world seemed to fall apart. It has been my guide through the darkest of times when giving up seemed like the only option left.
This verse gives meaning to our existence as humans and reminds us that we are not in charge of our lives but that we have been put here for a higher purpose and that there is always hope, even in the most dire circumstances. Hang in there!
Most of the irreversible mistakes I have made in my life were the result of listening to the people around me. There were a number of people who offered me their voices, and I believe they sounded supportive of those moments. During these times, life dealt me a series of punches. Like me, there may be times when we all run into those ‘moments’ in our lives when nothing else seems to work out. Our vulnerability to other people’s voices is at its highest during these times.
There is no doubt that some of these voices are offering positive vibes, but have we ever wondered whether those individuals who are showing their support are not dealing with personal difficulties?
There is also the question of how we can be certain that these supportive voices are indeed what we believe them to be. Could they be giving us advice out of jealousy with the intention of causing us more harm? Do they appear to be genuine and have no ulterior motives behind them? Are they free of any ill-intentions?
Taking into account all of the above is sufficient to show us why we should embrace the power of listening to our intuition. In many cases, the latter is a manifestation of the Holy Spirit, who is always speaking to us. The problem lies in the fact that we are not paying attention. The ability to listen to God’s voice under any circumstances must be trained. Until we listen to Him, we will continue to have a problem. As we go through life, I pray that we will be guided by the strong voice of Jehovah, and that He will teach us to turn first to Him before making any decisions in our lives.
It costs nothing to pray, but it costs a lot when one does not pray. The power-release from persistent prayers is sufficient to prevent any unseen or visible problems. A Christian who is sluggish in regards to the spiritual things of God is a Christian exposed to all kinds of spiritual attacks. It is not enough to call one a Christian and not follow the rudiment codes of Christ. The Lord prayed ceaselessly while on earth, enabling Him to overcome. And He overcame. This Ephesians 6:12 has said it all. The Christian life is a life of continuity in a spiritual pathway with Jehovah, day in and day out, and every second of the day is to be alerted. The Invisibles are more than the visible.
Ehiyeh-Sh’Ehiyeh 
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