Jehovah Shalom: The “Secret” Ingredient

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Christ's Suffering, End Times, God our Peace, God Sufficiency, Jehovah Shalom, Last Days, peace that guards your heart and mind in Christ, Persecution, Philippians 3:14-15, Philippians 3:17, Philippians 3:8-10, Philippians 4:6-9, Philippians 4:9, the peace of God, the peace of God above all understanding, The peace of God which transcends all understanding, troublesome times

With all that is transpiring in our world today and the swift approach of Revelation and the Great Tribulation/Jacob’s Trouble/the Day that includes economic collapse, food shortages/famine (which are already manifesting worldwide), violent riots, political unrest, and the unprecedented arrival of Christian persecution in the U.S. and ongoing and presently escalating persecution worldwide, this is the prescription of Dr. Jesus. The passage of Philippians 4:6-9 covers incredibly powerful, life-altering topics that we cannot afford to miss!

Philippians 4:6-9 has been the topic of seven previous Bible studies and has included the concept of 4 puzzle pieces: “Do Not Worry,” “Thankful Prayer,” and “Think on These Things.” Today we’re going to cover the 4th puzzle piece found in Philippians 4:9 which is that of “Habitual Practice”.

Philippians 4:9 says, “9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.”

Now, what were the Philippians to practice exactly? That which they had learned, received, heard, and seen of course! So, what was it that they had learned, received, heard and seen? Before we get to some of those specifics, let’s take a look at the Greek behind those four important words: Learn, Receive, Hear, See, and Do.

A Little Greek Lesson

The Greek word for Learn is not the type of learning that can be attained overnight, but rather, is acquired from experience through a great deal of reflection and discipline.

The Greek word for Received comes from the combination of two Greek words which when combined mean, “to aggressively take alongside,” or “to receive with the mind.” In other words, you really want it and readily receive it.

The Greek for Hear, literally means “to hear (listen)” and figuratively means, “to hear God’s voice” which leads to inner faith. After all, “Faith come by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.”

The Greek meaning of to See can mean to physically see, but can also mean to perceive with the mind “with inward spiritual perception” all through experience.

And To Do in the Greek means to practice regularly, to “perform repeatedly or habitually” and is not just a one time thing. In other words, what one was discipled in, exuberantly received, heard with their inner ears, and saw with their spiritual eyes, was to be lived out over and over again.

Paul’s Example

Now in order for us to apply this passage to ourselves, we need to know what they had learned, received, heard and seen in Paul. To better understand this, let’s go back into Philippians 3 beginning in verse 8.

“Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ…10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death… forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you….17 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.”

And then Paul goes on to say in Philippians 4:4, 11-13, “Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice…11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.12I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.13I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”

A God-Sufficiency

According to this passage, Paul had learned through experience, reflection and discipline to be content, to be satisfied, to have an “inward sufficiency” that comes from the empowerment of Christ. A God-Sufficiency. Paul also knew how to be “abased”, that is, to be completely humble, even humiliated and God-reliant instead of self-reliant or others-reliant, as well as to “superabound” and to have excess. Furthermore, he had been instructed. The word used here should not merely say “I am instructed,” but rather should be translated, “I have learned the secret,” for it does include a message of powerful importance. And the Secret appears to have to do with the art of being famished or full, the art of superabounding in goods or suffering in great need.

In every secret society or brotherhood or fraternity there is always what is called an initiation for the newcomer, and nearly if not always, the new initiate has to go through some sort of pain or humiliation or bloodshed of some kind in order to be initiated into the group. The word used for the mystery religions of Paul’s day for doing such an initiation was the word used here for “I have been instructed” or “I have learned the secret.” It is not just a mere instruction that anyone would learn in the classroom, but rather pictures the initiate closing their eyes and mouth in order to “experience [the] mystery” and thus be “initiated into the wonderful “mystery revelation” of learning.”

The Ceremonial Initiation of Suffering

What is the mystery in which Paul had been instructed? Succinctly put: remaining in perfect peace while suffering. After all, Paul had gone through and would continue to go through extensive persecution, physical and emotional pain, poverty, severe opposition, and deep disappointments. As it says in 2 Corinthians 11, “in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. 24Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one [195 lashes].25 Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;26 In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;27 In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.28 Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.” And yet in all of it Paul goes on to say,“29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not?30 If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities.” In chapter 4 states, “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;10 Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.11 For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh….14 Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you.16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.”

Application

Indeed, Paul had learned the secret, and had been initiated into “Christ’s sufferings” and that secret was resting in Christ and remaining in God’s peace through it and in spite of it all.

Now, how about us? Have we been initiated? Let us learn this secret of how to be unshakably peaceful, this mystery of being content in Christ no matter where we are located, no matter what is in our tummies, no matter what people are with us or not with us, no matter how much or how little money we have in our pockets, not matter if the economy collapses, no matter what the political climate, no matter who is president, no matter who is in Congress or what mandates or executive orders or laws or judgments are made in the days and weeks and months to come.

Through Paul, the Philippians had learned, received, heard, and seen what to do in the midst of good times and bad times, times of great overflowing abundance and times of little to nothing, days of great discomfort and days of a multitude of benefits. But, have we as modern day readers done the same? The Gospel is not just about the good days, but about the bad. The Gospel, as exemplified through Christ, does not promise us smooth sailing, great wealth, or only good times. Really, it guarantees us the opposite. It says we are blessed when we are persecuted (Matthew 5:10-12), that we are to take up our shameful cross daily and follow Christ (Luke 9:23 and 14:27), that we are to rejoice anyway in all situations (Philippians 4:4), and that when we are generous here (whether we have a little with which to be generous or a lot) then we have riches in heaven (Matthew 6:19-21). The Gospel promises us something more amazing, more mind blowing and more incredible than what this superficial world will ever experience. It promises us REST, whether we are rich or destitute, when we are starving or fat and sassy. It promises us a sufficiency in Christ that nothing can touch! It promises us unshakable peace that nothing can defeat! It promises us that we are more than conquerors through Christ (Romans 8). Do YOU know this peace????

We along with Paul are called to count all accomplishments and gains and all that this world looks up to as dung (or as I called it while growing up on a farm “horse apples” or “mud pies” or “cow plop” or in Dutch “stront”). We too are called to fellowship with Christ in His suffering. We are not to be conformed to this world’s standards, but instead are called with Paul to conform to Christ in His death. We are called to follow Paul in his example of following Christ, and are to thus learn the art of suffering well. We are to habitually practice peace in both prosperity and poverty, in humiliation and happiness.

For when we habitually practice what we have learned, received, heard and seen, then “the God of peace will be with you,” and Him being with us, changes us from glory to glory. As it says in Romans 8:16-18, “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”

Let’s keep our focus on Jesus and remain in His perfect peace even as the darkness grows and the world is set up for judgment and the Day of His return draws ever nearer!

*This article was also published on this website under a different title. Both are by me. The present article contains a few additions and changes. “God-Sufficiency: Have You Learned the Secret,” https://holylight4u.wordpress.com/2020/10/12/god-sufficiency-have-you-learned-the-secret/

Other Jehovah Shalom Articles:

Part 1:

“Jehovah Shalom: What is Our Focus?” https://holylight4u.wordpress.com/2020/11/19/jehovah-shalom-what-is-our-focus/

Part 2:

“Jehovah Shalom: Peace in Spite of Our Circumstances,” https://holylight4u.wordpress.com/2020/11/23/jehovah-shalom-peace-in-spite-of-our-circumstances/

Part 3:

“Jehovah Shalom: Do Not Be Anxious,” (Puzzle Piece #1) https://holylight4u.wordpress.com/2020/11/25/jehovah-shalom-do-not-be-anxious/

Part 4:

“Jehovah Shalom: Abiding in Christ,” https://holylight4u.wordpress.com/2020/12/10/jehovah-shalom-abiding-in-christ/

Part 5:

“Jehovah Shalom: Thankful Prayer,” (puzzle piece #2), https://holylight4u.wordpress.com/2020/12/29/jehovah-shalom-thankful-prayer/

Part 6:

“Jehovah Shalom: Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus,” https://holylight4u.wordpress.com/2020/12/29/jehovah-shalom-turn-your-eyes-upon-jesus/

Part 7:

“Jehovah Shalom: Think on These Things,” (puzzle piece #3), https://holylight4u.wordpress.com/2021/01/07/jehovah-shalom-think-on-these-things/

Part 8:

This Present Article (puzzle piece #4)

Other Possible Articles of Interest:

“The Time Is At Hand: Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus,” https://holylight4u.wordpress.com/2020/07/15/the-time-is-at-hand-turn-your-eyes-upon-jesus/

“At Home In Christ,” https://holylight4u.wordpress.com/2020/09/09/at-home-in-christ/

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Jehovah Shalom: Do Not Be Anxious

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A divided mind, Caleb, christian depression, Do not be anxious, Do not worry about anything, End Times, Even So Come, Genesis 3:1-5, giants in the promise land, Last Days, Peace that passes all understanding, Philippians 4:6-9, Rick Renner, the peace of God, the ten spies

Jehovah Shalom. The LORD of peace. His peace is our protection from the storm. His peace is the guard of our minds and hearts. His peace keeps us singing though imprisoned, beaten down, bruised, bloodied, insulted, wounded or overwhelmed. His peace, like a group of Roman soldiers, fiercely guards us, not allowing the poison of circumstances and emotions to steal, kill and destroy us. His peace enables us to walk on water, win impossible battles, and sing the cold, dark night away, because this peace is not based in facts, but in God Himself. For, no matter where we are, if we are “in Christ” we are safe; we are secure; we are home. Christ is our haven of rest, and so long as He is in the boat, we will not sink.

Today let’s continue studying our LORD of peace.

Missing or Overlooked?

As I was thinking on our Bible topic this past weekend, I began to feel that something very important regarding application was missing, but I could not pinpoint what it was. How does it all play out? How does one apply this peace? How can it become operational in our lives?

A close relative of mine recently was speaking with a family friend. Though we live several hours a part and haven’t seen each other in a long time, she and her husband pray for my family, and we pray for them. This family friend has had some health issues for years, but has learned the importance of eating right and taking certain vitamins; the doctor has even prescribed some. The other day my close relative was concerned about this friend and asked if she’d ever tried several particular supplements that are known to help. Her friend’s response was that she actually has some of those. “Yes,” my relative said, “but have you been taking them?” Her response was something like, “Well, they’re in my cupboard.”

Those vitamins might as well have been hidden in plain sight. It was then that I realized that the pieces of the puzzle were not missing, I just had been overlooking what was right in front of me the whole time. All I needed to do was put them together, and then…live it.

The Passage

Here is the passage that contains the puzzle pieces:

Philippians 4:6-9, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy–meditate on these things. 9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.”

How do we get and keep this incredible gift of peace?

First puzzle piece: do not be anxious about anything.

Second puzzle piece: pray with thanks.

Third puzzle piece: meditate on eight specific things.

Fourth puzzle piece: practice what you have learned in your mind, believed in your heart, understood with your ears, and perceived with your eyes.

Puzzle Piece #1: Do Not Be Anxious

To begin with, we attain this peace by not doing something. Philippians 4:6 begins, “Do not be anxious about anything.” Number one. This is a command. Do not ever, ever, ever be anxious, not about anything, at any time, or in any way. This is not negotiable. Now, what are we not to do ever? Be anxious.

Now, the Greek word for “worry” (merimnao) in this passage, “In New Testament times…was primarily used in connection with worry about finances, hunger, or some other basic provision of life. It pictured a person who is fretful about paying his bills; a person who is worried he won’t have the money to purchase food and clothes for his family’s needs or pay his house payment or apartment rent on time; or a person who is anxious about his ability to cope with the daily necessities of life…” Literally, in the Greek this “anxiety” disrupts and divides the mind. When we allow for any care, any emotion, any fear, it brings disruption to our personality and mind (The Complete Word Study Dictionary, pg 960). It creates a divided and splintered mind.

In what way is our mind being divided? Divide us from what? God’s breath of life.

A Divided, Suffocated Mind

“Matthew 13:22 says, “He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world…choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.” The word “care” is the Greek word merimnao [i.e. anxiety], again connected to material worries and concerns. Jesus says such worry “chokes” the Word. The word “choke” is the Greek word sumpnigo, which means to suffocate, to smother, to asphyxiate, to choke, or to throttle. You see, worry is so all-consuming in an individual’s mind that it literally chokes him. It is a suffocating, smothering force that throttles his whole life to a standstill,” (Rick Renner, “Are Worry and Anxiety Trying to Seize or Control You?”).

Thus, anxiety brings death. But, God’s word is life (Philippians 2:16). As Jesus so profoundly said in John 6:63, “63 It is the Spirit who gives life…The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.”

Eve

But, when God’s word is choked out by a divided mind, it brings suffocation and death. This is demonstrated in Genesis 3:1-5. “1 Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, “Has God indeed said, ‘You shall not eat of every tree of the garden’?” 2 And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden; 3 but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die.’ ” 4 Then the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. 5 For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

Eve knew what God had said. But through the serpent’s words, she began to doubt God’s word, and emotions were stirred within her that had never before been felt. Was it possibly anxiety that God was withholding good things from her? Even so, the word of God was choked by words of the serpent that caused her mind to be divided by doubt and troubling, anxious thoughts.

Joshua and Caleb vs the Ten Other Guys

In Numbers 13:1-2, 25-28, 30-33 we find a story of contrasting faith and doubt. “And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,2 Send thou men, that they may search the land of Canaan, which I give unto the children of Israel: of every tribe of their fathers shall ye send a man, every one a ruler among them…And they returned from searching of the land after forty days.26 And they went and came to Moses, and to Aaron, and to all the congregation of the children of Israel…and shewed them the fruit of the land.27 And they told him, and said, We came unto the land whither thou sentest us, and surely it floweth with milk and honey; and this is the fruit of it.28 Nevertheless the people be strong that dwell in the land, and the cities are walled, and very great: and moreover we saw the children of Anak there…30 And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it.31 But the men that went up with him said, We be not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we.32 And they brought up an evil report of the land which they had searched unto the children of Israel, saying, The land, through which we have gone to search it, is a land that eateth up the inhabitants thereof; and all the people that we saw in it are men of a great stature.33 And there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, which come of the giants: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight.”

Anxiety makes everything else bigger than God. A good example of this is carrying boxes. When one is carrying a pile of boxes–and I mean a pile that goes up to or above one’s head–one finds it impossible to see beyond the boxes in one’s arms. In order to move forward, one has to attempt to peek around the boxes. Really, this is not a good way to transport boxes, for one’s field of vision is severely disrupted. Even so, when we get a pile of life events or emotions front and center in our arms and in front of our eyes and at the forefront of our minds, we will be unable to see God or His word. Furthermore, when carrying all of our boxed problems, we cannot receive the gift of peace that God wants to give us. Can we? If our arms are already full, we can’t accept anything new to carry.

This is what happened with the twelve spies. Ten of the twelve spies saw only the facts through the dim lens of doubt and anxiety, and the multitude believed them. Time after time, God had done wonders among the children of Israel. Time after time He had met their needs and showed forth His power in their midst, from the twelve plagues in Egypt, to the parting of the Red Sea, to the destruction of the Egyptians that sought to kill them, to manna from the sky, to abundant quail, to water from the rock, to their very clothes not wearing out, to abundant riches acquired from Egyptian households, and yet they still could only see impossibilities and questioned not only God’s power and provision, but even accused God of trying to kill them (Exodus 14:11; Exodus 16:3; Numbers 20:4). They were full of anxiety and fear and the facts that lay before them, so much so, that they were blinded to God’s truth and even to the very miracles of God.

Yet, Caleb too had seen the same facts, but he had learned, believed, heard and seen the wonders of God, and knew that if God was for them who could be against them.

Are We Like Our Mother Or Our Brother?

When anxiety divides our minds, it causes doubts to cloud our thoughts concerning what God has said; it spiritually suffocates us, cuts us off from God’s life-giving word, and the repercussions of that suffocation are endless, including physical illness. After all, science has proven that upwards to 87% of all diseases are caused by and/or exacerbated by fear-based emotions that send out deadly chemicals into our bodies.

In Adam and Eve’s case, they spiritually died in the garden that day (Ephesians 2:1; Colossians 2:13), and brought inevitable death to the human race.

In the case of the children of Israel, all of them died in the wilderness, including the ten spies who caused their hearts to melt (Joshua 14:8). All of them died except for the two men who defied the facts and unwaveringly believed God: Joshua and Caleb. Both of them led their people into battle in the promised land, for they were as strong in their eighties as they had been in their forties (Numbers 14:11 says this of Caleb in particular). It is known that Caleb was age 85 when he was given the city of Hebron, that’s south Jerusalem, as a reward for his faithfulness to God (Joshua 14:6-13). And the very giants, the Anakim, of which the children of Israel had been terrified, 85 year-old Caleb defeated in that very city (Joshua 15:14).

Conclusion

So, what are we not to do? Be anxious.

What causes anxiety? Focusing on everything else and making everything else bigger instead of focusing on God’s word and allowing God to be as awesome as He is.

What does anxiety cause? Death…because it suffocates the Word of God out of us.

Anxiety makes our problems huger than God. In order to receive God’s peace, we must gain a proper perspective, but this requires letting our anxiety go. If we want God’s peace, we must obey this command to not be anxious. In order for God to be able to hand us His peace, our hands need to be free. God wants to give us His peace, but we cannot receive it until we drop the boxes of anxiety and fear and doubt and depression that we’ve been carrying. So, it’s time to drop the boxes, and accept the free gift of God’s peace, and let God be our focus and not the giants. In spite of all that is happening our world today (persecution on the rise, the mark of the breast in the making, the new world order coming together, and then the normal stresses of life like loss of job, broken dreams, relationship issues), let us choose to hold on to the peace of God. May we value it above all else. This is a choice. Let’s choose wisely.

Other Jehovah Shalom Articles:

Part 1:

“Jehovah Shalom: What is Our Focus?” https://holylight4u.wordpress.com/2020/11/19/jehovah-shalom-what-is-our-focus/

Part 2:

“Jehovah Shalom: Peace in Spite of Our Circumstances,” https://holylight4u.wordpress.com/2020/11/23/jehovah-shalom-peace-in-spite-of-our-circumstances/

Part 3:

“Jehovah Shalom: Do Not Be Anxious,” (Puzzle Piece #1) https://holylight4u.wordpress.com/2020/11/25/jehovah-shalom-do-not-be-anxious/

Part 4:

“Jehovah Shalom: Abiding in Christ,” https://holylight4u.wordpress.com/2020/12/10/jehovah-shalom-abiding-in-christ/

Part 5:

“Jehovah Shalom: Thankful Prayer,” (puzzle piece #2), https://holylight4u.wordpress.com/2020/12/29/jehovah-shalom-thankful-prayer/

Part 6:

“Jehovah Shalom: Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus,” https://holylight4u.wordpress.com/2020/12/29/jehovah-shalom-turn-your-eyes-upon-jesus/

Part 7:

“Jehovah Shalom: Think on These Things,” (puzzle piece #3), https://holylight4u.wordpress.com/2021/01/07/jehovah-shalom-think-on-these-things/

Part 8: (puzzle piece #4)

https://holylight4u.wordpress.com/2021/01/12/jehovah-shalom-the-secret-ingredient/

Other Possible Articles of Interest:

“The Time Is At Hand: Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus,” https://holylight4u.wordpress.com/2020/07/15/the-time-is-at-hand-turn-your-eyes-upon-jesus/

“At Home In Christ,” https://holylight4u.wordpress.com/2020/09/09/at-home-in-christ/

SOURCES

Rick Renner, “Are Worry and Anxiety Trying to Seize or Control You?” https://renner.org/worry-anxiety-trying-to-seize-you/

Rick Renner, “The Peace of God,” https://renner.org/devotionals/the-peace-of-god/

“Caleb,” https://amazingbibletimeline.com/blog/caleb/

Spiros Zodhiates, The Complete Word Study Dictionary: New Testament

Jehovah Shalom: What is Our Focus?

Tags

Be Magnified, Be Magnified by Don Moen, Be Magnified sung by Kim Hill, christian anxiety, christian depression, Gideon, Gideon's 300, godly peace, Isaiah 53, Jesus walks on the water, John 14:27, John 16:33, Judges 7, Matthew 14, Overcoming anxiety, overcoming depression, Overcoming fear, Peace, Peter walks on the water, Psalm 103, Psalm 68, that in me you might have peace, the peace of God, the story of Gideon, true peace

State by state, America is locking down again: Oregon, Washington, California, Michigan, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Delaware, West Virginia, Indiana, and now Ohio… And the world is locking down again: Australia, most of Europe including England, France, Germany, Spain, Italy…

And these lockdowns are accompanied by protests rife with frustration, destroyed businesses, imploding economies, and a fearful and depressed populace. Indeed, the really real pandemic and threat is that of emotional upheaval demonstrated through depression, anxiety, and fear, leading to alcoholism, drug abuse and even suicide. And Christians are included in this emotional pandemic.

Are you dealing with this perchance? Are you depressed? Are you feeling anxious? Are you afraid? How are you dealing with the lockdown, with losing your job, having your hours cut, being far away from you family, having your church closed, social distancing, facing a lawsuit for practicing your Christian faith, having to wear a mask when going to the store, your kids being home all the time, an overwhelming illness etc.? How are you doing if you are one of those who “knows too much” about this plandemic, the transhuman/chimerical/DNA altering vaccine, and the elite’s agenda for a new world order that is unfolding? How are you holding up?

Through Christ’s death we have received many benefits/gifts as listed in Isaiah 53. He bore our griefs, carried our sorrows, was dishonored for our rebellion, was crushed for our depravity, was disciplined for the sake of our peace, and by his wounds and bruises and stripes we are healed. Psalm 103 also lists the benefits of forgiveness, healing, redemption, a crown of lovingkindness and tender mercies, satisfaction and restoration of youthfulness. Whatever your emotional state at this time in human history and no matter where you are worldwide, let’s remember one of those many benefits (Psalm 68:19) that Jesus through His sacrificial death and resurrection gave to us freely if we will but receive it: peace. Isaiah 53 says that Jesus was disciplined for our peace.

There is a lot that could be said about this peace. To begin with, this is a peace between God and man. Secondly, it is a peace in spite of circumstances. Thirdly, and most importantly, it is a peace that only God has given and can and will give.

Gideon

In the book of Judges we find a story about Jehovah Shalom, “The LORD is peace.” Judges 6 begins by saying that Israel had done evil in God’s sight and because of that God had given Israel as a gift to Midian. Because of this, Israel was terribly oppressed even to the point of hiding in caves while Midian destroyed their crops and took all of their animals. It would be equivalent today of destroying all of our grocery stores, restaurants, the farms that produce all that, and taking anything edible away.

It is in this destitution and fear that we find Gideon secretly threshing wheat in a wine press. And a messenger of God appears to him as he hides in the wine press and addresses him as a mighty man of valor. One thing leads to another, and Gideon is gripped by the startling realization that he’s just seen a messenger of the LORD face to face. It is then that God speaks to him saying, “…Peace be unto thee; fear not: thou shalt not die.” Gideon is so moved by God’s words that it says, “…Gideon built an altar there unto the LORD, and called it Jehovah shalom…” which means, “The LORD is peace.”

Yet, there was no peace in any of Gideon’s circumstances. Many fearful obstacles still surrounded Gideon and would continue to face him. Nevertheless, he moved forward at the prompting of the LORD. He tore down his father’s altar to Baal and grove of trees wherein the Israelites committed idolatry. He then faced the zealous, idolatrous men who would have killed him on behalf of their fallen idol. He then successfully gathered 32,000 men to do battle against the Midianites, and after getting further confirmation from God, prepared for battle. The man who at the beginning of the story was hiding in a wine press, and who throughout the story kept asking for signs, was unmoved by his and his nation’s overwhelming circumstances in light of the God of peace who had appeared to him and had spoken directly to him.

And things got crazier! God said that 32,000 soldiers was too many! Judges 7:1-3 reads, “And the LORD said unto Gideon, The people that are with thee are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hands, lest Israel vaunt themselves against me, saying, Mine own hand hath saved me.3 Now therefore go to, proclaim in the ears of the people, saying, Whosoever is fearful and afraid, let him return and depart early from mount Gilead. And there returned of the people twenty and two thousand; and there remained ten thousand.”

So, there were to be ten thousand to fight against a multitude. Judges 7:12 says that “the Midianites and the Amalekites and all the children of the east lay along in the valley like grasshoppers for multitude; and their camels were without number, as the sand by the sea side for multitude.” Ten thousand against an enemy so countless that they were like a swarm of locusts blackening the sky and devastating all in their path.

But God was not finished. It got crazier! Judges 7:4-8 continues, “And the LORD said unto Gideon, The people are yet too many; bring them down unto the water, and I will try them for thee there: and it shall be, that of whom I say unto thee, This shall go with thee, the same shall go with thee; and of whomsoever I say unto thee, This shall not go with thee, the same shall not go.5 So he brought down the people unto the water: and the LORD said unto Gideon, Every one that lappeth of the water with his tongue, as a dog lappeth, him shalt thou set by himself; likewise every one that boweth down upon his knees to drink.6 And the number of them that lapped, putting their hand to their mouth, were three hundred men: but all the rest of the people bowed down upon their knees to drink water.7 And the LORD said unto Gideon, By the three hundred men that lapped will I save you, and deliver the Midianites into thine hand: and let all the other people go every man unto his place.8 So the people took victuals in their hand, and their trumpets: and he sent all the rest of Israel every man unto his tent, and retained those three hundred men: and the host of Midian was beneath him in the valley.”

Three hundred men. Three hundred men versus a multitude. But Gideon chose to rest in the LORD of peace, for the battle belonged to Him. And with the faith of that one man and the foolishness of three hundred men smashing pitchers and blowing on ram’s horns, God scattered the host of Midian and in their fear the enemy even killed each other.

The BIG Question

How big is our God? No I mean, how big is He in our lives today? When we are faced with great emotion, who is bigger? God or the emotion? Who is bigger? God or the problem? Who is bigger? God or the plandemic? Who is bigger? God or the vaccine? Who is bigger? God or the persecution? Who is bigger? God or the loneliness issue? Who is bigger? God or the loss of a job, the collapse of the economy, the destruction of our liberty, the frustrated protests, the unfolding of the new world order or . . . you think of your own situation whatever it might be? Who indeed is bigger? Has God become too small in our eyes?

You see, what we are focused on matters. Peter learned this first hand in Matthew 14.

Walking on the Water

In Matthew 14 we come upon a scene of amazing grandeur. There, Jesus has separated from His disciples and gone off to pray. The day had been wearying to Jesus and the disciples. Many had been healed, and it had ended in a mind-boggling multiplication of the five loaves and 2 fishes. The disciples had stood in shock as that meager amount fed a great multitude of hungry men, women and children. Now, Jesus had insisted on dismissing the enormous crowd himself and insisted that the disciples go ahead and sail to the other side of the great lake. He’d meet up with them later. Meanwhile, it says in verse 24 that they were in the middle of an agitated, restless sea that tossed their ship about as the wind blew antagonistically.

That of course is when Jesus appeared . . . walking on the water, and His disciples thought He must be a ghost. That’s when Jesus called out to them, and Peter daringly said, “Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.29 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?32 And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.”

What was bigger in Peter’s eyes? On what was Peter focused? At first, as Peter stepped his feet out in faith upon that stormy sea, Jesus was bigger in Peter’s eyes. Step by step, he moved toward Jesus, focusing on Him, doing what no man has done before or since. But, after he took his eyes off of Jesus and focused on the wind thrashing about the choppy waves of the sea, he began to sink.

Conclusion

There is a difference between physical fact and spiritual truth. It was a fact that the army of Midian was enormous. But the truth was that God was greater. It was a fact that the wind was contrary and the waves rising, and that people plain and simply cannot walk on water, but the truth was that Jesus was the Lord of the wind and the waves (Psalm 93:5) and God alone treads upon the waves of the sea (Job 9:8). No matter how much Gideon planned or strategized, the army of Midian was still too vast and too numerous that even 32,000 men in their own strength could not have defeated them. General MacArthur himself could not have bombed, blasted or barricaded them away. And as for the sea, no one has ever tamed the sea nor ever will. Only God!

And indeed, it is no different in our lives when faced with the sea of anxiety and fear and emotions of all kinds, as well as army of physical problems, relationship issues, plandemics, or any circumstance that is overwhelming of unjust. It is then that the enemy of our entire being swarms upon us and rages against us like the fury of Midian, and we like Gideon hide in a wine press and wonder where God is. The sea comes crashing in and the wind threatens to sink us. But Jesus said in John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 16:33, “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”

Let’s choose today, while it is still today, to get our eyes off of the multitude that has come to destroy us, the wind and waves seeking to drown us, the tribulation that is overwhelming us, and choose instead to accept Jesus’ gift of peace that He paid for on the cross for us to have freely. Let’s get our eyes off the insanity of this world and back onto Jesus, and let Him be magnified in our eyes today.

***********

Be Magnified

By Don Moen

“I have made You too small in my eyes
O Lord, forgive me;
I have believed in a lie
That You were unable to help me.
But now, O Lord, I see my wrong
Heal my heart and show Yourself strong;
And in my eyes and with my song
O Lord, be magnified
O Lord, be magnified.

Be magnified, O Lord
You are highly exalted;
And there is nothing You can’t do
O Lord, my eyes are on You.
Be magnified,
O Lord, be magnified.

Be magnified, O Lord
You are highly exalted;
And there is nothing You can’t do
O Lord, my eyes are on You.
Be magnified,
O Lord, be magnified.”

Other Jehovah Shalom Articles:

Part 1:

“Jehovah Shalom: What is Our Focus?” https://holylight4u.wordpress.com/2020/11/19/jehovah-shalom-what-is-our-focus/

Part 2:

“Jehovah Shalom: Peace in Spite of Our Circumstances,” https://holylight4u.wordpress.com/2020/11/23/jehovah-shalom-peace-in-spite-of-our-circumstances/

Part 3:

“Jehovah Shalom: Do Not Be Anxious,” (Puzzle Piece #1) https://holylight4u.wordpress.com/2020/11/25/jehovah-shalom-do-not-be-anxious/

Part 4:

“Jehovah Shalom: Abiding in Christ,” https://holylight4u.wordpress.com/2020/12/10/jehovah-shalom-abiding-in-christ/

Part 5:

“Jehovah Shalom: Thankful Prayer,” (puzzle piece #2), https://holylight4u.wordpress.com/2020/12/29/jehovah-shalom-thankful-prayer/

Part 6:

“Jehovah Shalom: Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus,” https://holylight4u.wordpress.com/2020/12/29/jehovah-shalom-turn-your-eyes-upon-jesus/

Part 7:

“Jehovah Shalom: Think on These Things,” (puzzle piece #3), https://holylight4u.wordpress.com/2021/01/07/jehovah-shalom-think-on-these-things/

Part 8: (puzzle piece #4)

https://holylight4u.wordpress.com/2021/01/12/jehovah-shalom-the-secret-ingredient/

Other Possible Articles of Interest:

“The Time Is At Hand: Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus,” https://holylight4u.wordpress.com/2020/07/15/the-time-is-at-hand-turn-your-eyes-upon-jesus/

“At Home In Christ,” https://holylight4u.wordpress.com/2020/09/09/at-home-in-christ/

Upheld By The Word of His Power

Tags

2 Peter 3:10-14, Chicago threatens to bulldoze churches, Christian martyrs, Christian persecution, Christian persecution in America, Christian persecution in China, Colossians 1:15-17, creation groans, East Indian Christian persecution, End Times, Genocide of Christians in Nigeria, Heaven and earth will pass away, Hebrews 1:3, Hindu radicals attacking Christians, Jesus is coming soon, Jesus' Return, Joanie Stahl, Last Days, Peace that passes all understanding, perfect peace, Psalm 102:25-27, Romans 8:22-23, the peace of God, the secret place, the word of His power

2 Peter 3:10-14,“But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.”

More and more often I find myself in grief over all that is transpiring in this world, the absolute madness, the carnage, the devastation, the pain, the suffering. Since the Fall of mankind these things have been with humanity. But, something is different now. Things are suddenly intensifying and accelerating. Even the persecution of Christians has gotten dramatically worse. It seems to be open season on all called Christian. In China those in authority are withholding checks from the elderly and sick if they do not worship their president; they are also taking children from Christian parents and threatening to place them in reeducation camps. In Nigeria roving shepherds are slaughtering Christian families who are often betrayed by their neighbors. In India they are beating up Christian ladies gathered for prayer, usurping church buildings and placing their idols in them, and killing others. In America they are threatening pastors and churches that dare to obey God by meeting with fines and imprisonment and even bulldozing.

Indeed, it is just like Romans 8:22-23 says, “For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.” Everything is “groaning” which in the Greek means that what is deep inside comes out with frustrated moaning, compressed feelings of grief or anger or desire are vented. Like a tea kettle must let off steam because of the intense pressure inside, and a woman in labor groans in childbirth, we as Christians, and I definitely recently, have been sighing, groaning, weeping over the intense pressure coming upon and from within the world. For the entire earth and all of creation, from continent to continent, from ocean to ocean, from nation to nation, all is simultaneously travailing in great pain. It is everywhere. And I am feeling it, and my spirit is crying out internally and via external emissions.

Have you been feeling this too?

So, what is going on? Two things: A great transition from the kingdoms of this world to the Kingdom of our God, and…. the earth is passing away. The earth passing away is the topic of this article.

Second Peter 3:11 expresses this well when it says, “Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved…” In the Greek language, to be dissolved means, “to be loosed, released,” and has a secondary meaning of “destroy, annul.” At first glance, any reader or student may shake their head at the definition of “loosed, released,” but in that definition is great significance!

You see, Jesus holds all of creation together. In Christ the Creator everything created coheres, consists, is adjoined, stands together.

Colossians 1:15-17 reads, “Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.”

Hebrews 1:3 declares the profound truth in this statement concerning Jesus, “Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high…”

In science there is the big question, what is it that holds an atom together? They explain it as a force. The scientists at CERN are attempting to blow this “force” apart in order to open a portal, to see what is on the other side of the portal. They are unsure what will lie beyond it, and they fully acknowledge that destruction could follow. But, they are unconcerned about that, and are undaunted by such possibilities. After all, their mascot is Shiva, the Hindu god of destruction, who dances upon the ash heap of a fallen world.

But, God has not placed the destruction nor the creation of this world into the hands of a bunch of blood drinking, occultist scientists at CERN, or any other person for that matter, not even the inventors of the atomic bomb. The end of this world will in no way look like the 1959 movie “On The Beach” wherein man wiped out mankind with nuclear weapons.

Why? Because Jesus is keeping everything from flying apart, holding it all together with His word. Think about that!! The force called gravity or electromagnetism, in all actuality, the powerful word of Jesus. Jesus is holding it all together not with His hands, but with His word!

But one day very soon… Jesus will let it all go… and the heavens and the earth will pass away and “shall be dissolved” (2 Peter 3:11-12), which means that everything will be “loosed/released” from the word of Jesus’ power, and everything will liquefy from fervent heat and be annulled.

And thus, the earth and all of creation is groaning collectively and simultaneously and is growing old and wearing out. Psalm 102:25-27 explains, “Of old hast Thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of Thy hands.26 They shall perish, but Thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt Thou change them, and they shall be changed:27 But Thou art the same, and Thy years shall have no end.” The earth is tired and worn out. Just as the physical body of a human being ages significantly through the years, even so the earth has aged and is elderly now and is worn thin like an overused piece of cloth.

Because the earth and all upon it is dying and destined for destruction, the Apostle Peter reminds us that we are to become all the more focused on living godly lives that are completely God-focused and God-centered. Furthermore, we as Christians are to be expectantly anticipating and eagerly desiring the coming of the day of God – Jesus’ return! We are called by God via Peter to expect and anticipate this, and therefore, are to be all the more zealously eager to be found, after intense inspection, to be blameless, without flaw, and with our minds kept in perfect peace in the sight of our great and awesome and holy God is who is an all consuming fire! (Deuteronomy 4:24; Hebrews 12:29).

Think about this one thing a moment: “that ye may be found of him in peace.” This is the peace of God which passes all understanding that will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7). This is the peace that Jesus promised to leave with us that was not like what the world gives (John). This is the peace of Isaiah 26:3 which comes to those whose minds are “stayed” on God. This is a peace that holds us together even as the world and everything in it is falling apart. Jesus is returning for His own who are unshaken, undaunted, and at rest as they abide in Him. As Psalm 91:1-2 powerfully says, “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.2 I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust,” and Psalm 27:1, 3, “The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?…Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.” In what will King David the psalmist be confident? That the Lord is his light and salvation and the strength of his life and that there is no need to fear. This is that peacefully confident state of mind that God wants to find His Bride in when He returns! He does not want us burdened and weighted down in our thinking with the anxiety, worry and cares of this life (Luke 21:34).

A woman of God and fellow Christian named Joanie Stahl who has a channel on youtube, went hiking in the woods with her husband for a few days at the end of May 2020. I don’t recall if this “get away” was preplanned, but either way, she needed the time to clear her head and hoped to hear from God. She kept asking Him different questions about the issues of the pandemic, face masks, test swabbing, lock-downs, failing businesses, the collapse of the economy, the vaccine, etc. She wanted His direction on what to share with others for their benefit. And then… God spoke. Essentially, as I recall, God said to her regarding everything she’d asked, “That’s not going to matter.” She was puzzled. How was it possible for it not to matter? It was affecting everyone’s lives and causing everything to be disjointed and out of sync. But God kept saying over and over to her in the time she was camping that “that’s not going to matter,” and finally, “all those things are not going to matter anymore, forever.”

I want to encourage us today. Everything that seems too big to us such as losing our job, schooling our kids at home, whether or not we have to wear a mask to get our groceries, who will win the election, or even bigger things like intensified persecution of Christians in every nation and the new world order being established worldwide right now via this pandemic, is not as big as it appears.

First of all, I want to remind you regarding the Goliath of our personal problems, God knows what we need even before we ask Him (Matthew 6:8). Remember? God clothes the lilies of the field more beautifully than rich King Solomon was ever arrayed (Matthew 6:29). And He promises to provide for our needs according to His riches in glory (Philippians 4:19). So, why are you worrying? Why are you so focused on the problems of life when God is so much bigger? And remember too, it’s all passing away. Nothing we are going through now compares to our eternal weight of glory (Romans 8:18; 2 Corinthians 4:17)!! Second of all, regarding the Goliath of the new world order, remember what God said in Psalm 2 to the nations and peoples and leaders of the world gathered in unity overthrow God and His Anointed One. God in heaven laughs and holds them in derision!! And He warns the proponents and conspirators of this new world order to kiss the Son lest He be angry and perish in the way when His wrath is kindled but a little! (“The Time is at Hand: Psalm 2 and Where We Are Right Now,” https://holylight4u.wordpress.com/2020/07/10/the-time-is-at-hand-psalm-2-and-where-we-are-right-now/). And thirdly, when it comes to persecution, Jesus guaranteed we’d be persecuted and that we are blessed when we are persecuted (Matthew 5), that His grace is sufficient, His strength made perfect in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).

So, I encourage myself and the Christian who is reading this, let’s set our minds on things above and not on earthly things (Colossians 3:2). Take off the glasses of this world, and put on an eternal perspective. Let’s make sure our minds are full of peace, that our lifestyles and behavior are holy, and that we are eagerly anticipating the return of our King, our Beloved, our Bridegroom, Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord! Jesus is coming soon!!! Shake off your depression! Refuse to be anxious! Get up, Bride!!! Make sure your garments are white and wrinkle free, that your oil is full, that your lamps are trimmed and burning, that you are fully awake! This world is not our home! Stand up in elation and triumph and lift up your heads, for your redemption is drawing near!!!!

Sources:

https://biblehub.com/interlinear/

Joanie Stahl, “E277 Heaven Land Devotions – Something BIG Is Coming,” May 27, 2020, https://www.youtube.com/atch?v=tlLQ4uHfL3Y

“China Seizes Children from Christian Parents, Threatens to Send Kids to Reeducation Camps,” July 26, 2020, https://www.christianpost.com/news/china-seizes-children-from-christian-parents-threatens-to-send-kids-to-re-education-camps.html

“Chinese Government Orders Low-Income Families to Abandon Their Christian Faith or Lose Financial Aid,” July 2020, https://www1.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2020/july/chinese-government-orders-low-income-families-to-abandon-their-christian-faith-or-lose-financial-aid

“China Orders Christians to Take Down Images of Jesus From Homes,” July 20, 2020, https://www.breitbart.com/national-security/2020/07/20/china-orders-christians-to-take-down-images-of-jesus-from-homes/

“China Withholding State Aid from Christians Who Won’t Worship Communism,” July 20, 2020, https://www.thenewamerican.com/world-news/asia/item/36442-china-withholding-state-aid-from-christians-who-won-t-worship-communism

“The Ignored Genocide of Christians in Nigeria,” August 19, 2020, https://www.frontpagemag.com/fpm/2020/08/ignored-genocide-christians-nigeria-raymond-ibrahim/?fbclid=IwAR1GrdEQQ2eZVJ-5KeioeOmwXAKd7ulGegO2HmwWMGXD216LJaKoEaLVU_Q

“Christian Persecution in America Has Arrived,” July 21, 2020, https://holylight4u.wordpress.com/2020/07/21/christian-persecution-in-america-has-arrived/

“Chicago Threatens to Bulldoze Churches for not Complying with Coronavirus Orders,” July 15, 2020, https://patriotdailypress.com/2020/07/15/chicago-threatens-to-bulldoze-churches-for-not-complying-with-coronavirus-orders/

“‘Whatever Means are Necessary’: Chicago Threatens to Close Church that Defied Order,” May 26, 2020, https://www.christianheadlines.com/contributors/michael-foust/whatever-means-are-necessary-chicago-threatens-to-close-church-that-defied-order.html

“Four Christian Women Hospitalized After Brutal Attack In Northern India,” August 17, 2020, https://www.persecution.org/2020/08/17/four-christian-women-hospitalized-brutal-attack-northern-india/

“Hindu Extremists In India Viciously Attack Christians While They Pray,”  August 20, 2020, https://www.bibliatodo.com/En/christian-news/hindu-extremists-in-india-viciously-attack-christians-while-they-pray/

“Christian Families Endure Constant Threat Of Attacks By Hindu Radicals,” August 14, 2020, https://www.persecution.org/2020/08/14/christian-families-endure-constant-threat-attacks-hindu-radicals/

“Church in India Set on Fire by Suspected Radial Hindu Nationalist,” June 15, 2020, https://www.persecution.org/2020/06/15/church-india-set-fire-suspected-radical-hindu-nationalist/