"Over the Top!"

 "Judas then, having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons." (John 18:3 KJV)

  "My enemies surround me like a herd of bulls; fierce bulls of Bashan have hemmed me in! (Psalm 22:12 NLT)

  If you have ever imagined what this might have been like, you probably forgot the part about the way Jesus had suddenly vanished out of their sight, several other times when they had tried to seize Him. This time they were not going to let Him get away, which was perfectly fine with Him, because now was His time to be taken! 

 This might seem like it is a little extreme; but Matthew Henry says that there could have been 500 to 1,000 men that showed up to capture Him. That is how determined they were to take Him, to have such a band of men, most of which were just doing what they were told, not even knowing who or why they were there. On the battlefield, you hardly ever know who you are going to fight; all that you are told is that you are fighting the enemy. 

 Psalms 22 is a song that depicts, in vivid detail, many of the things that Jesus went through, including the things He felt as He hung on the cross. This was His battlefield! There is only one person in this crowd that Jesus has any concern over, and his name is Judas; everyone else is just there for the ride, playing a part in something that He not only knew would happen, but He predicted it would be, just as it was. 

 As we look at this, it might remind us of some things we see happening now, right here in the United States. As I watch what is happening to President Trump, I can see that the 'waterspout' has been turned wide open, everything and anything they can find to do, they will throw at him! This morning I saw one of the most ridiculous statements I have heard, in quite some time. 

 Mayor Adams actually blamed the influx of migrants in New York on Donald Trump! The man that tried to secure the border, is now being blamed for the border being open! You really can't make this stuff up; but the sad thing is, the media will spin it and make people believe it is true. 

 Lies travel and spread quickly, and are distorted; truth, on the other hand, comes out slowly, but clearly! All that said, God is on the Throne! No matter what happens, either here or anywhere, God allows it, and He will work everything into His plan! 

 You want to talk about, "Over the Top," God is the TOP! He controls everything and uses all things for His glory! Yesterday I heard a message regarding Joseph, how God uses the darkness to create Light! The message began speaking about a famous person who created way to develop great pictures by using and manipulating the negatives in the darkness. 

 As we look at Joseph's life, everything which happened to him was wrong; from being the spoiled son, to then being hated by his brothers; sold into slavery, falsely accused, and sent to prison. But God used those bad things to do great and powerful things in, not only his life, but for the entire world! 

 Again, I will remind anyone that might have forgotten: The devil might be cleaver in many of the things he might do, but he is clueless as to Who he is dealing with! He might know some things, but he has not realized yet the fate awaiting him. And if he has, then he just wants to take as many of us with him when he goes! 

 Not matter what, God will be victorious... 

""When you go out to fight your enemies and you face horses and chariots and an army greater than your own, do not be afraid. The LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, is with you! When you prepare for battle, the priest must come forward to speak to the troops. He will say to them, 'Listen to me, all you men of Israel! Do not be afraid as you go out to fight your enemies today! Do not lose heart or panic or tremble before them. For the LORD your God is going with you! He will fight for you against your enemies, and he will give you victory!'"" (Deuteronomy 20:1-4 NLT)