#The King in Zion

[mybeautifulchristianjourney]

Devotional Hours Within the Bible

by J.R. Miller

The King in Zion (Psalm 2)

“Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the LORD and against his Anointed One. “Let us break their chains,” they say, “and throw off their fetters.” The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them. Then he rebukes them in his anger and terrifies them in his wrath, saying, “I have installed my King on Zion, my holy hill.” I will proclaim the decree of the LORD: He said to me, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father. Ask of me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession. You will rule them with an iron scepter; you will dash them to pieces like pottery.” Therefore, you kings, be wise; be warned, you rulers of the earth. Serve the LORD with fear and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry and you be destroyed in your way, for his wrath can flare up in a moment. Blessed are all who take refuge in him.”

“Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed.”

Men have always been ready to conspire against God. They think of Him as like themselves, as one they can oppose, one whose authority they can reject. To us, with our thought of God as the glorious King of all the world, opposition to Him is the worst folly. What can puny man do to resist God’s power, or to interfere with His sway? Yet evermore does heaven behold the spectacle described in the opening of this Psalm: “Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?”

There are two possible meanings in this “Why?” It may suggest the folly of such opposition. Or it may indicate the enormity of it. It does seem strange that the world so hates God. What has He ever done to hurt anyone? If He were a cruel despot, like many of earth’s own kings it would not be strange if men hated Him. If He were a Nero, or a Caligula, or a Diocletian, or a Napoleon, it would not be surprising if the nations dreaded Him and if His name aroused rage. But never was there any other king so gentle, so loving.

The prophet foretold the reign of the Messiah as most kindly and gracious. He would not break a bruised reed. He would not lift up His voice in the street. He would not strive nor cry out. He comes not to destroy men’s lives but to save them. His reign is one of love.

A glance over the pages of the Gospels will show us how He fulfilled the Messianic prediction. He went about doing good, healing all manner of sickness, comforting sorrow. The “program of Christianity,” the work of Christ in this world, is mapped out in these words of the prophet Isaiah: “He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.”

Does it not seem strange, therefore, that the mention of the name of Christ causes such rage among the nations and peoples of the world? Why do the people not love Him? Why does the gentleness of His reign not win men to loyalty and affection? What is there in Him that makes the world dislike Him? Yet from the day He came into the world unto the present He has been rejected and despised. When Herod heard of the birth of the King he trembled with anger and slew all the infants of the town in which He was said to be, in hope of destroying the hated One .

All through His life it was the same. He did nothing but good, and yet the rulers ceased not to plot against Him, until at last they nailed Him to the cross! It is not otherwise today. The gospel breathes only love, and yet it is met by many with hate, scorn, and rage. Why is it? Why do the nations rage? “Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.” The words tell of revolt. They will defy His rule and cut themselves off from obedience to Him. They treat Him as if His rule were cruel and inhuman.

“He who sits in the heavens shall laugh! The Lord shall have them in derision.” The picture of God sitting on His throne in heaven, laughing at man’s puny efforts to frustrate His plans is a very striking one. It suggests to us the calm quiet of God in the face of men’s opposition. Can a man put up his hand and arrest the lightning bolt as it flies athwart the sky? Can he stand beside the sea and with his puny arm hurl back the waves that come rolling from the great deep? And can man resist omnipotence or defeat the divine purpose?

Look at the outcome of Herod’s plot to kill the infant Jesus. What came of the rage of the Jewish rulers who finally nailed Jesus on the cross? It only carried out God’s counsel and exalted Him to be a Prince and a Savior. So always, persecution has but advanced Christianity, not destroying it, not hindering its progress. The rage of infidels has resulted in strengthening what they sought to destroy. We need not be afraid, when the enemies of Christ seem to triumph. God is not disturbed on His throne. His plans go on in unbroken fulfillment. He laughs at men’s plots and schemes against Him.

“Ask of me, and I shall give you the heathen for your inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for your possession.” It is a suggestive thought that even this Son of God, exalted on His throne, must ask for the inheritance that was promised to Him.

We get the lesson that no blessing comes to us but through our own prayer. The clearest, plainest promises must be taken up and claimed. They are checks which must be presented at the bank, before payment will be made. Promises do not mean anything to us until they are believed and then pleaded before God.

We know that Christ claimed the Father’s promise. Before He ascended He said, “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.” Paul tells us that having humbled Himself to death on the cross, God has also exalted Him and given Him a name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow and every tongue confess that Christ is Lord.

So all nations are Christ’s. He is the rightful King of all lands. This ought to be an encouraging truth for all missionaries, and in all missionary work. India and China and Africa and the islands of the sea belong to Christ. They have been given to Him by His Father. In going into those lands and preaching the gospel, the missionary is but claiming Christ’s own for Him. So in offering Christ to any man and asking him to accept Him as Savior and Lord, we are only asking one of Christ’s rightful subjects to own his allegiance, to receive his true King.

This word has also its glorious assurance of the success of Christ’s kingdom on the earth. God will surely give Him the nations for His inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for His possession, because He has promised to do so. Not a Word of God can ever be broken. Heaven and earth may pass away but not the smallest of God’s Words shall ever pass away.

“Kiss the Son, lest he be angry and you perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all those who put their trust in him.” The only true and wise thing to do is to submit in love and reverence to this glorious King. Those who will not yield to Him, shall be broken with a rod of iron. Gentle as He is, He is also just. Defiance of Christ can have only one outcome. It can end only in the utter destruction of those who lift up their hands in rebellion. Easily as a potter’s vessel is dashed in pieces when hurled against the rock shall the proudest human strength be crushed and destroyed by the power of Christ!

Submission, therefore, to this heaven-ordained King is the only wise course for anyone. Submission brings life and great gladness. “Blessed are all those who put their trust in him.” He makes them joint-heirs with Him. They sit with Him on His throne. They enjoy all the privileges of sonship. “All are yours; and you are Christ’s; and Christ is God’s.” We should all therefore submit to Christ, the Son of God, and become His subjects.

[modelsof-color]

King Owusu , Isiah Zion and Kelvin Adumekwe by Niklas Haze for Tush Magazine Issue 52

[wiirocku]

Zechariah 9:9 (NLT) - Rejoice, O people of Zion! Shout in triumph, O people of Jerusalem! Look, your King is coming to you. He is righteous and victorious, yet He is humble, riding on a donkey— riding on a donkey’s colt.

[doublescribble]

Zion Williamson 2023-24 NBA Regular Season

[sissytobitch10seconds]

Every new Florence + The Machine song that I stumble upon grabs my brain in a death grip and won’t let go

[thetiredstuff]

so many people react so insanely outrageously inhumane, jumping down people's throats the moment they make a post that condemns h*mas' attack on isr*eli citizens, calling for a safe return of all civilians and also urging and calling for the bloodshed inflicted on palestinians by isra¨l to stop.

you do not have to choose one or the other. it is very worrisome how many people are doing the mental gymnastics of h*mas is made up of palestinians therefore they are good and should be applauded. they aren't. they terrorize their own people. their own palestinian people. many palestinians over the years have had to leave their families and friends behind, fleeing to the west to try and escape h*mas who forces palestinians to join their organization that destroys palestinian lives or harm may be inflicted on them or their families. and even when they arrive in the west, they still aren't safe from h*mas and have to constantly look over their shoulder in fear of retaliation for escaping from them.

h*mas is not to be applauded. they terrorize their own people on top of the daily terror already inflicted on palestinians by the isr*eli regime. also wishing for the safe return of abducted citizens is a normal and human thing to want no matter their nationality. don't fall in the revenge trap of blaming an entire ethnic group or nationality for the atrocities committed by those who belong to those groups.

i'm seeing this particularly happen with fans "calling out" the celebrities they "admire". yet so many of them clearly lack the basic human principle of all life should be sacred. all life is sacred. asking for the safe return of one does not diminish a plea for peace or a ceasefire.

idk what i'm even saying just like ffs think people and ffs stop following shaun king. i cannot take anyone seriously who lectures others while following shaun king, a man who (allegedly) profits off of the misery of others which has been well-established by now in particular by the black community yet so many white people still follow him.

[lunarcovehq]

JASMINE CASTILLO (GRETA ONIEOGOU) IS LOOKING FOR…

Connection: Adopted Sibling/End to Her Curse/Newly Turned Vampire

Suggested Name: UTP, but last name Delaney-Lopez

Age Range: 28-33

Species: Vampire

Suggested FCs: UTP, but some suggestions are Maria Gabriela de Faria, Daniela Nieves, Emily Tosta, Alisha Boe, Elliot Knight, Rhoyle Ivy King, Jacob Batalon, Zion Moreno, Lizeth Selene, & Harvey Guillen.

Connection Description:

Jasmine is a necromancer/dark magic witch. When she was younger, she brought two different people back from the dead and has spent the rest of her life having to pay the price. In order to bring someone back from the dead, the necromancer must sacrifice a life for a life only they don’t get to choose whose life is taken. Instead, at some point down the line, Death will come and claim the life of someone the necromancer loves (final destination style). When Jasmine was 16, Death claimed the life of her mother and now Death has come to claim the life of your character.

Your character is Jasmine's adopted sibling. She was adopted into the Delaney-Lopez family after the death of her mom. Your character's dads (Manuel & Samuel Delaney-Lopez) were family friends of Jasmine's mom and were planning to help Jasmine and her mother get to Lunar Cove seeing that Jasmine was raised in a dark coven that went against the accords and the official Lunar Cove Coven. Her biological father, Silas Chamberlain (the Reed family's father) was a notorious criminal who got himself arrested in human prison to avoid being punished by the Council.

Jasmine and her mother were trying to get out of the Dark Coven. But, when your character's parents found Jasmine she was all on her own and she refused to speak about what happened to her mother.

Your character's father, Samuel Delaney-Lopez (a witch), was an old flame of Jasmine's mom, Violet. They dated back in High School and although they fell out of touch, they couldn't not help when Violet reached out. Only to their dismay they found themselves with a teenager to look after and Violet missing.

Your character's other dad, Manuel (a werewolf), was hesitate to take Jasmine in given the circumstances and the fact that they already had three kids while living in an apartment in Queens - your character, Tommy (biological child) & Noel (adopted child). But, they ended up growing to love Jas the moment she stayed under their roof. Your character's parents would later end up adopting Jasmine officially when she was 17.

Jasmine is the oldest out of the Delaney-Lopez's and I'm totally up for plotting their dynamic. Your character could have been adopted like Noel or biologically related to one of their parents depending on FC.

Your character would be someone Jas is incredibly close with, despite Jasmine being fairly distant to most everyone else in her life. I imagine she would have been distant starting out with your character as well and very quiet for those first few weeks, seeing that Jasmine used to be afraid to get close to people/had just witnessed the death of her mom. Your character could have been excited to have a new sibling or wary of Jas who was disturbing the existing family dynamic, but warmed up over time.

Jas was always on edge growing up about the curse and, likely would have held off telling your character about it for a long time, before finally opening up. To appease her mind (its up to you if they actually believed in the curse and were afraid of dying as well or if they didn't think it would truly ever claim them), you started to take vampire blood just in case. No one knew if the V would act as a loophole for the curse or not, but low and behold, the curse was triggered, death came to claim your character's life and you died, waking up a newly turned vampire.

I'm open to plotting out when your character turned. They could have turned a full year ago or a few weeks ago. When they died is completely up to you, but after turning they would have found their way to Lunar Cove. It's up to you how your character would feel about Jas now after the curse was trigger, but both of their lives have been irrevocably changed now for better or worse.

Jas’ biological father, Silas Chamberlain, will also be returning at some point as a temporary villain which could add another layer to their family dynamic.

Please be sure to contact the player before applying:

Becca is available for DMs on @cantfightmoonlight!

[justana0kguy]

2024 MAY 06 Monday

"Sing to the LORD a new song of praise in the assembly of the faithful.

Let Israel be glad in their maker, let the children of Zion rejoice in their king.

Let them praise His name in the festive dance, let them sing praise to Him with timbrel and harp.

For the LORD loves His people, and He adorns the lowly with victory."

~ Psalms 149:1-4

[a-slut-for-leon-kennedy]

That moment when she’s a primordial ancient goddess who’s the embodiment of Time itself and has been around since before the universe was created and you’re just a sad little bug man

[barbwritesstuff]

The Zion story was so good! He is an adorable and smooth gentleman 🤭 Also, I thought he would mend MC's clothes instead of offering his own, but I'm not complaining 💞

I'm so glad you liked it!

Captain Zion Mandrake would get a real kick out of being called a gentleman. He has, after all, spent a lot of his life being somewhat of a scallywag. Some might even call him a scoundrel.

He's not much for sowing or mending. Swashbuckling is more his style. That said, there is a selfish motivation behind giving you his clothes. You do, after all, have to be somewhat possessive to be a pirate.

[mybeautifulchristianjourney]

Judgement Against Israel's Enemies

1 An Oracle

The word of the Lord is against the land of Hadrach and will rest upon Damascus. For to the Lord belong the cities of Aram, even as all the tribes of Israel; 2 Hamath also, which borders thereon, Tyre and Sidon, though they are very wise. 3 Tyre has built herself a rampart, and heaped up silver like dust, and gold like the mud of the streets. 4 But lo, the Lord will strip her of her possessions and hurl her wealth into the sea, and she shall be devoured by fire.

5 Ash′kelon shall see it, and be afraid; Gaza too, and shall writhe in anguish; Ekron also, because its hopes are confounded. The king shall perish from Gaza; Ash′kelon shall be uninhabited; 6 a mongrel people shall dwell in Ashdod; and I will make an end of the pride of Philistia. 7 I will take away its blood from its mouth, and its abominations from between its teeth; it too shall be a remnant for our God; it shall be like a clan in Judah, and Ekron shall be like the Jeb′usites. 8 Then I will encamp at my house as a guard, so that none shall march to and fro; no oppressor shall again overrun them, for now I see with my own eyes.

The Coming Ruler of God’s People

9 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Lo, your king comes to you; triumphant and victorious is he, humble and riding on an ass, on a colt the foal of an ass. 10 I will cut off the chariot from E′phraim and the war horse from Jerusalem; and the battle bow shall be cut off, and he shall command peace to the nations; his dominion shall be from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth.

11 As for you also, because of the blood of my covenant with you, I will set your captives free from the waterless pit. 12 Return to your stronghold, O prisoners of hope; today I declare that I will restore to you double. 13 For I have bent Judah as my bow; I have made E′phraim its arrow. I will brandish your sons, O Zion, over your sons, O Greece, and wield you like a warrior’s sword.

14 Then the Lord will appear over them, and his arrow go forth like lightning; the Lord God will sound the trumpet, and march forth in the whirlwinds of the south. 15 The Lord of hosts will protect them, and they shall devour and tread down the slingers; and they shall drink their blood like wine, and be full like a bowl, drenched like the corners of the altar.

16 On that day the Lord their God will save them for they are the flock of his people; for like the jewels of a crown they shall shine on his land. 17 Yea, how good and how fair it shall be! Grain shall make the young men flourish, and new wine the maidens. — Zechariah 9 | Revised Standard Version (RSV) Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1946, 1952, and 1971 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. All rights reserved. Cross References: Exodus 27:2; Joshua 19:29; 2 Samuel 24:7; Job 41:28; Psalm 18:14; Psalm 27:4; Psalm 45:3; Psalm 72:3; Psalm 72:8; Isaiah 14:29; Isaiah 17:1; Isaiah 23:1; Isaiah 23:11; Isaiah 24:22; Isaiah 33:17; Isaiah 52:1; Isaiah 54:14; Isaiah 62:3; Jeremiah 23:33; Jeremiah 25:22; Jeremiah 31:10-11; Jeremiah 47:1; Jeremiah 47:5; Jeremiah 51:20; Ezekiel 26:3; Amos 1:8; Zechariah 10:6; Matthew 2:2; Matthew 21:5; Matthew 24:31; Hebrews 6:18-19; Hebrews 10:2; Hebrews 13:20

Zechariah 9 Bible Commentary - Matthew Henry

[papirouge]

not my pathologically single self picking songs for my imaginary marriage lmaooooo 🤡🤡🤡

[wiirocku]

Psalm 149:2 (NIV) - Let Israel rejoice in their Maker; let the people of Zion be glad in their King.

[doublescribble]

Zion Williamson 2023-24 NBA Regular Season

[atlatsofstories]

     evident tang of alcohol and smoked cigarettes, the stench enveloped and invaded her personal space. annabel wasn't drunk enough drunk to tolerate, nor not to feel repulsed by the man hovering far too close behind her. hot puffs of whiskey-smelling breath, words partially slurred against her ear weren't exactly doing it for her.      maybe the stranger hadn't heard her over the music blasting out from the bar's speakers, or maybe he just wouldn't comprehend what the words 'not interested' meant when they came from a woman who was too kind to back her words with a punch. One more time, " Not interested. Please, back off. ", Annabel turned around, only to have herself caged by the man's arms; should she stop being such a pacifist?        

           THE PIECES WE LOST, WE FOUND ― @hclysins​​​​

[weazellysnapshots]

It’s so hard to leave— until you leave…

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📷: Canon Rebel T6

6.10.22-6.14.22