Column by Sumter Pastor Joey Durham: God will never abandon His people
Today, I want to continue with this thought, "Jerusalem, a Cup of Trembling." Once again, my text is Zechariah 12:1-3, where we see, "The burden of the word of the LORD for Israel, saith the LORD, which stretcheth forth the heavens, and layeth the foundation of the earth, and formeth the spirit of man within him. Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem. And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it." (KJV)
The phrase "a cup of trembling" is both disturbing and descriptive. This Hebrew phrase represents a vessel containing a substance that is enticing, but also intoxicating, which once consumed, it will cause the partaker to uncontrollably shake, quiver and reel to and fro like a drunkard. Rather than something nutritious, the contents of this cup result in instability and inebriation and stupor. This prophesied condition comes upon those nations that "rise against Judah and Jerusalem" for the purpose of destroying, rioting and looting the nation and city. It would be no trouble to name nation after nation today and terrorist groups who would have that very intent today toward Israel.
According to the Word of God, it is God Himself that will bring Jerusalem to her knees in complete submission during the Great Tribulation that will come upon this earth after the Rapture of the Church. God Himself, through Zechariah, declares His authority and power over all, including Israel and Jerusalem in verses 1-2 of our text. First, God declares His control of the universe, for it is God that "stretcheth forth the heavens." Next, God reveals Himself as the Creator and Sustainer of this planet as He declares that He "layeth the foundation of the earth." Also, we find revealed to us God's creative power in human existence, for He "formeth the spirit of man within him." Even though God's plan concerning the nation of Israel has been to set His people aside at present for the formation of the Church, the Bride of Christ, we can rest assured that He remains protective of His earthly covenant people. I believe that God is carefully observing how the nations of this world are treating His people, Israel. At the same time, God is just and righteous, allowing Jerusalem to be humbled so that she can be the city He intends for her to be as He works His plan. Because of the covenant God made with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, we can rest assured that He will never abandon nor forsake His people.
Joey Durham is pastor at Open Bible Baptist Church at 180 Old Manning Road in Sumter. You can contact Pastor Durham at durham.joey@yahoo.com or call the church office at (803) 481-9315.