Day 125 A Place for Us Now

 

5/6/2026

"Godliness with contentment is great gain."

1 Timothy 6:6

 

Last night as I listened to Marty Goetz sing the theme song from the musical West Side Story written by Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim, Somewhere, I found myself back in time - remembering. The words so familiar: "There's a place for us, somewhere a place for us. Peace and quiet and open air; wait for us - somewhere." It's the love song of Tony and Maria - "a desperate yearning for a peaceful, safe haven where love can exist without violence, prejudice, or societal opposition." Sounds a lot like heaven to me! Just as this play was written in the mid-50's in Manhattan depicting the confusion and extreme period of violence with street gangs constantly at war vying for what they called their turf, so it is reminiscent of our present age, except now we hear the call to prayer five times a day, and the city is observing Muslim traditions. Those living in New York City at this time in history may well be singing these lyrics hoping once more for Somewhere, Some Day.

It seems as if whenever and wherever there are those who seek a better life, a life where goodness and justice abide, they are confronted with opposition. When Nehemiah was sent back to Jerusalem by the Persian king to rebuild the walls and gates of the city that had been torn down and burned by King Nebuchadnezzar, the Assyrian King used by God to discipline His rebellious people, the opposition was waiting. But then, so was Nehemiah, except he understood how to fight the enemy in the proper position. Each time Sanballat, Tobiah and Geshem the Arab attempted to come against the plans of God, Nehemiah would pray, and God answered! Nehemiah was given divine ingenuity as to how to defend and protect as they were rebuilding the wall in spite of the insults and mockery being hurled at them as they stood and actively worked. Finally the wall and gates were rebuilt, along with the restoration of the people's homes who labored on the wall. God gave Nehemiah a brilliant strategy. 

Many times we see that the answers take longer in God's plan to complete, and our job is to trust and do whatever He asks, even if it becomes monotonous doing the last thing He instructs us to do, over and over and over again. I know this feeling, as did the prophet Habakkuk who cried out to God saying, "O LORD, how long shall I cry, and You will not hear? Even cry out to You, 'Violence!' and You will not save. Why do You show me iniquity, and cause me to see trouble? For plundering and violence are before me; there is strife, and contention arises. Therefore the law is powerless, and justice never goes forth. For the wicked surround the righteous; therefore perverse judgment proceeds." (Habakkuk 1:2-4)

The Lord responds to him by saying "Look among the nations and watch - be utterly astounded! For I will work a work in your days which you would not believe, though it were told you." Then God goes on to tell the weary prophet just how He will raise up the evil Chaldeans to be used in His strategic plan. So Habbakkuk is quieted, knowing that He serves a God who keeps His promises. "I will stand my watch and set myself on the rampart, and watch to see what He will say to me, and what I will answer when I am corrected." (Habakkuk 2:1) 

To "stand my watch" is a cry to all intercessors who have been called to make up the hedge and stand as watchmen on the wall for Israel, or for their own countries. This is what we do as Americans fighting the many, many battles that are being waged on us from within our nation and without. Few understand the significance of what is going on today. They innocently and ignorantly, because of lack of effort on their part to find out what is true or a blatant lie, are being sucked in like a tornado pummeling the earth pulling everything without a strong defense into the funnel of destruction, being misled and deceived by heads of state and other governmental influences who control the media and subversive groups who for the price of a scam infiltrate and cause mayhem and destruction. Like flies to honey. Like sheep to the slaughter. And yet this has gone on for so long that few understand and continue to trust evil and fight good.

Norwegian theologian O. Hallesby said: "As soon as the Spirit has taught us to pray in the name of Jesus, He will teach us plainly that what we lack in fervency, solicitude, love and faith are not the things which prevent us from being heard and answered when we pray. These things merely reveal our helplessness."

I am comforted by the old hymn Because He Lives: "Because He lives I can face tomorrow; because He lives all fear is gone, because I know, I know, He holds the future. And life is worth the living just because He lives."

I hope those priceless gems and inspiring words bring comfort.