Blood, Toil, Tears and Sweat

After Tuesday’s election results, I think I now have a small inkling of what Jesus must have experienced in the Garden of Gethsemane just before his crucifixion.  According to scripture, he was in such intense mental agony that he felt like he was sweating blood:

“And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.”

~Luke 22: 43-44

 I never really grasped that scripture until now. 

The Word “Gethsemane” literally means “oil press”.  It is generally accepted amongst Biblical scholars that oil represents the Holy Spirit in Scripture.  We are the “olives”, the stress of persecution is the “press”.  Hopefully what comes out of us during times of intense pressure is the Holy Spirit.  Some people (including me) have other things come out of them during times of intense pressure--Ugly, unspiritual things such as expletives, rage or despair.  Like “Extra Virgin Olive Oil”—sometimes we need extra processing or “pressing” to get rid of the impurities. 

We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair

~2 Corinthians 4:8

There is a famous speech given by Winston Churchill before the House of Commons in the days just before the outbreak of England’s war with Germany in WWII.  Most people believe we are at the threshold once again of another Great War.  With the new nuclear dimension possibilities—the thought of it is unimaginable.  I sweat great big drops of blood just thinking of it.  Churchill’s words are eerily prescient and still applicable to the world events today:  
 

We are in the preliminary stage of one of the greatest battles in history.... the air battle is continuous, and that many preparations have to be made here at home.
I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears and sweat. We have before us an ordeal of the most grievous kind. We have before us many, many long months of struggle and of suffering.

You ask, what is our aim? I can answer in one word: Victory. Victory at all costs — Victory in spite of all terror — Victory

~Winston Churchill
 

Today in America there is yet another battle going on.  This one is in the unseen realm or “parallel universe” for lack of a better term.  There is a struggle against Good and Evil, Right and Wrong, Justice and Injustice.  If we lose this battle, we will be defeated from within.  Societal collapse will not be at the hands of a foreign entity pounding our cities with the latest Weapons of Mass Destruction--It will be national suicide from our own selfish hands. 

For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

~Ephesians 6:12
 

The moral and fiscal cliffs are just around the bend.  January 2013 is a mere two months away.  Do we have the ethical fortitude as a nation to survive the challenges ahead?  Unfortunately, with the new American ideals of “Me First” and  “Gimme, Gimme”--
We may soon well yet resemble our European predecessors and their contemporaries:

Burned out Rubble and Incensed Rabble.

But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger.

~Romans 2:8

These are the times that try men's souls. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as freedom should not be highly rated.- Thomas Paine

Interested in National Prayer and Repentance?

To honor the roots of our faith this time of prayer is set to take place (beginning sunset of November 15th through nightfall November 16) this month's "Rosh Chodesh," a day of new beginning, marking the new moon for the Hebrew month of Kislev. Typically the prayer on Rosh Chodesh each month is: "May it be Your will... that You renew this month for us for good and for blessing." That also will be our prayer on November 16: we will pray in Jesus/Yeshua's name, for God's will to continue to renew His body in this and other nations. There's no obligation in participating. Please join us -- www.dayofrepentance.org.

Annual National Day of Repentance: www.dayofrepentance.org

2013 Date: Yom Kippur September 13th (Sunset) through September 14th (Nightfall)

Go to the Congressional Prayer Caucus Website:

http://www.prayercaucus.org/