For the Tribe

The Achaemenid Empire was the first of many dynasties in what historians call Persia, and the modern world calls Iran.  It was established by Cyrus the Great, who was quite possibly Queen Esther’s grandson.  It became the largest empire to date in human history.

Twenty-five hundred years later, this Ruler nation is more despised than revered by the international community, but their public relations problem does not change the fact that the redemptive gift placed on that land by God, is still operant.

One of the expressions of the gift is the underground church in Iran.  I am far removed from the topic of Muslim Born Believers (MBB), but even from a distance, there is profound respect for how the Iranian church has managed to grow both in numbers and in quality of leadership over the last half a century.  My perception, from a distance, is that this is the most vibrant Christian community in the Middle East.

You may wish to pray the seven items in Colossians 1:9-11 (one per day during the week) for the spiritual eldership of the Body of Christ in Persia, that as they face a changing world, they would have the wisdom to understand the times and know what the Body of Christ should do.

In theory, we should all be striving to be high in both – loving God with all our hearts and disciplining the nations.

In Scripture, however, God often worked with VERY imbalanced people.  Elijah and Nehemiah could hardly have been accused of much intimacy.

Conversely, Ruth and Habakkuk were strong in intimacy, but not much in terms of personal dominion and drive to conquer and build.

It is fascinating to study Scripture in terms of the movement of people from one sector to the other.  David and Lydia achieved high marks in both.

What about your journey?  Are you higher in both now, compared to 25 years ago?  And if so, where did God start with you, and how did He transition you to a different focus?

We are now in the window where there is uncommon grace for cleansing land.  It is tragic that in this window of time, the Russian/Ukraine conflict, Isreal/Iran conflict, and Israel/Gaza/Yemen conflict are all building in violence.

You may wish to review the story, in the book of Judges, of Jephthah’s conflict with the people of Ephraim and the massive bloodshed that defiled the land of Gilead.

God was there first, establishing Gilead as the place where a national level healing balm should emerge.  Jeremiah weeps over the desecration of the original design.  Micah and Zechariah speak of God’s fierce intentionality in restoring the region to its grandeur.

So whether you are praying about your neighborhood or the world, don’t forget the bookends.  God was there first and He will be there at the end.  Pray His design for the land into existence, in spite of the humans on the land.