Concerns For Israel

News headlines this week have revealed two major concerns for Israel. Congressional approval of Chuck Hagel to be the United States Secretary of Defense has raised serious concerns among two major Jewish organizations and members of the United States Congress.   At the same time, efforts by Iran and North Korea to co-ordinate their efforts to grow their Nuclear Programs is also a major concern.

Hagel, unlike the majority of Senate members, underestimates the threat of Iran backed terrorist group Hezbollah. He disagreed with the European Union and their desire to designate Hezbollah a terror organization. Also, during Hagel's confirmation hearings, he undermined the importance of preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons. The vote in Congress approving Hagel was the smallest approval margin in history.

Meanwhile, North Korea conducted its largest and most sophisticated nuclear test to date. Most alarming for Israel was the presence of the Chief Iranian Nuclear Scientist who rarely travels outside of Iran. It appears North Korea is actually doing the testing of nuclear weapons for Iran. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu this week stated "If Iran continues nuclear preparations it would face military sanctions."

How does Israel respond to the news that the United States military support of Israel could be weaker in the near future and that Iran could be nuclear ready very soon. Psalm 24:8 says "Who is this King of Glory? The Lord strong and mighty, The Lord mighty in battle." King David was called a man after God's own heart. He knew His source of help and He prevailed in the face of Israel's many enemies. May we stand with Israel during these difficult times and be those prayer warriors praying for Israel's leaders and citizens to be strong in The Lord as they face their enemies now and in the future.

May The Lord Bless You And Keep You In His Care Now And Forever,

Frank

Salvation. . . .For The Jew, First

"Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved. For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes." Romans 10:1-4. Paul, in these first versus of Romans 10, shares his heart's desire is that Israel will be saved. He further states that they are seeking their own righteousness and not the righteousness of Christ.

Jesus, in Luke Chapter 19 had an even stronger reaction when He approached Jerusalem even as He was being proclaimed the King who comes in the name of The Lord. Jesus wept over Jerusalem and said "If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes." Luke 19:42. Jesus knew that the majority of God's Original Covenant People had not recognized Him as their Messiah which still is the scenario to this day.

However, this is a temporary situation! PRAISE GOD! In Romans 11:1,11 Paul raises the questions whether God has cast away His People or have they stumbled to fall from God? The response to both questions is - CERTAINLY NOT! Most importantly, verse 26 says "And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: The Deliverer will come out of Zion, and He will turn away ungodliness away from Jacob; For this is My covenant with them, When I take away their sins." Yes, the day is coming when the Jewish people will recognize Jesus as their Messiah!

Wednesday, February 13th, Christians throughout the world participated in Ash Wednesday starting the forty day period of Lent leading to the glorious celebration of our Savior's Resurrection. Christians spend these forty days in pious reflection of their relationship with their Savior to include repentance as appropriate. How very special and pleasing to God it would be if during these forty days of Lent we would include praying for unsaved people but also, as supporters of Israel, we would pray for the salvation of God's Original Covenant People.

May The Lord Bless You And Keep You In His Care This Day And Each Day,

Frank

Concern In The North

Foreign media reports indicate Israel has just deployed a third Iron Dome Battery in Northern Israel. Within the last ten days Iron Dome Batteries have also been deployed in the Upper Galilee and Haifa areas. Iron Dome launchers are used to destroy in the air missiles fired at Israeli cities. They had an 84% interception rate of rockets fired from Gaza during the Pillar Of Defense Operation last November.

Why all this sudden concern for the safety of Northern Israeli towns? The continuing conflict in Syria where  rebel forces are trying to overthrow the Assad government has caused much unrest in the Middle East and in Northern Israel particularly. Complicating the situation, it is now learned that 50,000 military from Iran and Hezbollah are now fighting in Syria for Assad.

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has described Syria as an undeveloped country with the world's most developed weapons. He also said Israel would not sit idly by and let those weapons fall into the hands of terrorists. Recently, Israeli fighter planes destroyed a convoy carrying missiles across the Syrian/Lebanon border probably headed to Hezbollah in Southern Lebanon. A major concern for Israel now is possible retaliation.

How can we pray for the government of Israel and for those living in Northern Israel? As Joshua was about to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land in Joshua Chapter One, The Lord said to Joshua three times "Be strong and of good courage," and in Deuteronomy 31:6 The Lord says "He is The One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you." I believe The Lord will react in similar fashion today for the Israelis as we pray for their protection. Praise The Lord!

May The Lord Bless You And Keep You In His Care And Each Day,

Frank

Love Your Enemies

Proverbs 25:21 says "If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink." I am sure we all remember Israeli Defense Forces were involved in a confrontation with the terror organization Hamas located in Gaza from November 13 - 24 called the "Pillar of Defense Operation." However, I doubt many of us know the truth of how each side functioned throughout this operation.

Hamas fired over 1,500 rockets into southern Israel with some reaching as far as Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. The terrorists launched rockets near civilian buildings and school buildings putting their civilians in danger. This is standard operating procedure for Hamas. 

Contrarily, Israeli Defense Forces throughout the conflict made thousands of telephone calls to Gazan civilians warning them of strikes coming into their area and also dropped leafets over Gaza issuing a general warning. How many militaries tell their enemy where they will strike next?

Additionally, like most days during peace, Israel within the conflict sent dozens of trucks carrying aid and supplies into the Gaza Strip. In all, Israel sent 237 truckloads carrying 6,322 tons of supplies into Gaza during the ten day conflict.

Last but not least, Israel is a world leader in medical care and technology. Making this even more special is the fact that Israel extends medical care to enemy nations including Palestinians in the West Bank (Judea and Samaria) and the Gaza Strip.

There is no mystery about who is living out the Proverbs 25:21 exhortation from our Lord even during a military conflict. However, we will not hear this truth about Israel in the World Media! We, as supporters of Israel, need to be bold to speak these truths about Israel  in love and always be in prayer for God's continuing love and protection over Israel.

May The Lord Bless You And Keep You In His Care This Day And Each Day,

Frank