Dear Beachside Family and Friends,
When I was in high school a puzzle game called "instant insanity" was all the rage. It consisted of four cubes with different colors on each face. To solve the puzzle, it was required to arrange the cubes in such a way that the same matching color was visible on all four sides when the cubes were set side-by-side in a row. I learned how to solve the puzzle in algebra class using a simple equation. Before I knew the equation, solving the puzzle was truly "instant insanity!"
Rubik's cube replaced instant insanity as the next insanely difficult puzzle to solve. With the advent of this new puzzle, instant insanity faded away, and I thought it was gone forever. I now know that is not the case, and that the spirit of the game lives on in North Korea and now possesses the evil dictator Kim Jong Un. His unbridled pursuit of nuclear weapons and missile technology has brought the world to an insanely perilous point in history. The recent launch from North Korea of an ICBM testifies to his insanity. He believes that he can threaten the United States and the world and win this most dangerous game.
Many have been fearful of this development, and their fears have been realized. The North Korean regime has broken every agreement they have ever signed regarding the nonproliferation of nuclear and missile technology, and has survived severe economic sanctions. The North Korean population suffers starvation and hopelessness, but their leaders care not. Kim Jong Un cares solely about bullying the world into submitting to his will. From his posh palace in Pyongyang, he plots the downfall of the west and the domination of the entire Korean Peninsula.
There would be reason to fear this madman if we relied solely on our own abilities to rescue us from his demonic desires. If all we had was economic and military pressure to deal with his insanity we would be extremely vulnerable. We would be overcome by fear and worry if we did not know this fact: It is not the arm of the flesh that we rely upon for protection and salvation, it is the Word of our God!
The United States is unique among nations because of its' connection with the Kingdom of God. Those who founded our country sought the Lord's help in establishing our Constitution and government, and relied upon Him for wisdom and direction. His favor has been with us for more than 240 years because Christians in our nation have placed their trust in Him. Through two World Wars and one Cold War, believers have acted in faith for the protection of the United Statea. The citizens of the Kingdom of God living in our country have prayed and taken a stand for the Word of God in the midst of precarious and insecure times, and God has always delivered us. He will do so again.
Psalm 2:1-4 says "Why are the nations so angry? Why are the people making useless plans? The kings of the earth prepare to fight, and their leaders make plans together against the Lord and his appointed one. They say, “Let’s break the chains that hold us back and throw off the ropes that tie us down.” But the one who sits in heaven laughs; the Lord makes fun of them." The pudgy potentate in North Korea knows nothing of God, and is in for an unpleasant surprise if he believes he can threaten the nation established and inhabited by those who serve Jesus, the true King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
If Kim Jong Un fires his missiles upon us and our allies, our God will swat them down faster than a southern belle clearing a sun porch of yellow-flies. We need not fear the plans of the enemy, for we have divine protection. "He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you can hide. His truth will be your shield and protection. You will not fear any danger by night or an arrow (missile) during the day." (Psalm 91:4-5) We will instead observe the defeat of our enemy, as Psalm 91:8-12 tells us "You will only watch and see the wicked punished. The Lord is your protection; you have made God Most High your place of safety. Nothing bad will happen to you; no disaster will come to your home. He has put his angels in charge of you to watch over you wherever you go. They will catch you in their hands so that you will not hit your foot on a rock." Angelic forces from heaven will be with our armed forces and propel them to victory.
I am confident that we will succeed in eliminating the North Korean threat with the help of our God. He will never abandon us. Moses told the Israelites when they faced an impossible situation “Don’t be afraid! Stand still and you will see the Lord save you today. You will never see these Egyptians again after today. You only need to remain calm; the Lord will fight for you.” (Exodus 14:13-14) in the same way God fought for Israel and destroyed the enemy, so God will fight for us. He sits in heaven and laughs at Kim Jong Un and his handler, Satan. We should laugh along with our Father instead of being filled with fear and worry. Satan's plans cannot prevail against the Church, nor can he destroy the nation which is our earthly home. Let's comfort one another and refuse fear and worry. Nothing can ever change the fact that Jesus defeated satan and has put the devil under our feet. Remember: Nothing is impossible with God-including protection from and the defeat of "instant insanity"
Pastor Ramon
