Brass of Lebanon

“His feet were gleaming like bright metal, as though they were glowing in a fire, and His voice was like the roar of many rushing waters,” Revelation 1:15

Tragedy struck the people of Lebanon last Tuesday, August 6, 2020. The world watched as an unimaginable blow was dealt the Lebanese people. An enormous explosion from a warehouse at the Port in Beirut, Lebanon, rocked buildings, and leveled structures for miles. Hundreds of people lost their lives, thousands are injured, and it’s reported that 300,000 people are displaced. Lebanon is no stranger to war and unrest — having lived through a 15 year civil war, and a number of smaller wars since. Still some are saying that Tuesday’s explosion is like nothing they have seen before.

The explosion that rocked Beirut is the worlds third most powerful explosion. Third only to Nagasaki and Hiroshima.

Lebanon has long been home to refugee populations. Human Rights Watch reports that 1.5 million Syrian refugees live in Lebanon. Forced to flee their war torn country, many Syrian families have sought refuge in neighboring countries, like Lebanon. Being displaced and living in harsh conditions — coupled with the Covid-19 crisis — refugee families are particularly vulnerable.

It’s in times like these that a place and a people I’ve yet to meet — feel particularly close. A fierce desire to be with the people floods my heart and fills my thoughts. I want to be a person that runs into the fire and not away from it. I want to go to them. I want to join them. I want to sit with them. I want to cry with them. I want to pray with them. I want to love them. I want to help them.

Then I’m reminded of where our help comes from — it comes from God. So, I talk to God. I pray.

I look up to the mountains and hills, longing for God’s help. But then I realize that our true help and protection come only from the Lord, our Creator who made the heavens and the earth. Psalm 121:1-2

The Aramaic translation of Revelation 1:15, talks of the feet of Jesus this way, “And his feet were in the form of the brass of Lebanon which is heated in a furnace,”

Brass of Lebanon was known for it’s high quality — fine metal. The people of Lebanon are known by God as precious and priceless. The feet of Jesus have been forged by fire — He is in the fire with His people. I have no doubt that stories of God’s grace and sovereignty will be unearthed in the days to come.

I’m also reminded of the mortality of man and the urgency to share the eternal hope of Jesus Christ with those yet to know Him. Our time is short.

Believers on the ground in Lebanon are heeding the call to go — and be the hands and feet of Jesus to a hurting world. Having walked into the darkest abyss for all of mankind — Jesus is now walking with His beloved bride into the fires of pain, loss, and deep sorrow. Together, they are bringing the love of God to suffering people.

When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. He said to his disciples, “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.” Matthew 9:36-38

The need is great — God is greater! It is for such a time as this that God’s people have been called to be the feet and hands of Jesus. We can support believers who are serving their neighbors in Lebanon. One excellent way to help the people of Lebanon is through a ministry I highly recommend, Ananias House. They have been serving alongside their partners for many years in this region. You can learn more about ways to help the people at – https://ananiashouse.org/

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it. – Revelation 2:7 ESV