Strife from Day One

Have you ever considered how strife characterized Israel from its beginning? Ishmael against Isaac, Jacob against Esau, Joseph's brothers against him, Saul against David, Solomon had enemies from within, on and on as you read Israel's history there was hardly a time of calm except for brief periods.

I suppose every nation suffers from the struggle for power among its citizens. There seems to always be those whose greed and desire to dictate create disturbance. It has been that way all my life in our land. The quest for control over others dominates the ambitions of too many. We are in that state even now.

The Lord seeks to control us but according to our choice. He does not dictate nor force. He persuades with truth. He wins the heart and mind to win the man. He seeks our good; not just His control.