Day 170 The Quest

 

6/19/2025 

"In that day the LORD will defend the inhabitants of 

Jerusalem; the one who is feeble among them in that day 

shall be like David, and the house of David shall be like God, 

like the Angel of the LORD before them. 

It shall be in that day that I will seek to

destroy all nations that come against Jerusalem."

Zechariah 12:8-9  

 

I love the old hymns, because they often capture what I'm feeling perfectly. This morning I woke up singing "A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing; our helper He, amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing; for still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe; his craft and power are great; and, armed with cruel hate, on earth is not his equal." Martin Luther seemed to understand the enemy well during his sojourn here on earth (1483-1546). As the conflicts in Israel continue - 622 days in Gaza and 7 days into the direct conflict with Iran - I become physically exhausted with the up and downs, shifts and swings, alerts coming every three hours, and many times every few minutes. I become impatient with the seeming futility of it all, but I know God hears our prayers, and I know that He is working all things out. I know, because we have witnessed it over and over again as each day of this conflict holds another threat. The Bible holds so many reminders of His faithfulness, and in the words of the prophets, He tells us exactly what is going to happen, so we need not fear.  I am learning that in my own life, just as Jesus said, each day is sufficient on its own. 

The exciting thing about this war, yes I said "exciting," is how it had been prophesied so long ago, in precise detail. The psalms of David alone masterfully recount God's plan from the birth of Jesus to His death. But then, isn't that what's it's all about? The story of creation, the fall of man, and the redemption of man. We owe the Jewish nation so much, beginning with giving us the written word of God so meticulously woven together. I don't understand how theologians, pastors, especially seminary instructors missed it. There is only one Bible with two parts with 400 years in between, for a very good reason. It has been said that the Old Testament conceals the New, and the New Testament reveals the Old. I think that's how it goes. Regardless of what we think, God has His plan, and His plan will come to pass, in His time. So, I'm trying to learn to take everything slowly, savoring each tasty morsel, listening intently to what God says He is going to do. A surrendered life, walking in obedience can be a huge sigh of relief. 

Pastor Michael Yaron from Tehilat Yah Fellowship is located in an area of Israel, Rishon LeZion, which has been targeted by many Iranian missiles in recent days, but thankfully no loss of human life. They are a diverse, faith-based community focused on Yeshua, the Jewish Messiah. Here they bring the message of Jesus Christ, offering love and acceptance, discipleship, friendship, and warmth to all who attend. He met with our prayer group today, sharing the needs of the fellowship and of the community at large, as it is not easy to live under this continuous threat of violence for such a long time. He testified, as have so many, of the miracles God is performing all over Israel as He fights on Israel's behalf. Still with all the devastation, the needs are great - shelter, clothing, food, all the necessities of existence, as some have lost everything when the missiles destroyed their homes. 

It's so easy to become overwhelmed and distraught even over the needs of so many people across the world. There are many agencies who support Israel tangibly, like the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem, International Fellowship for Christians and Jews, the Aliyah Return Center, Haifa House, and so many others. Each has a function, each serving more than one need. God is so gracious, and He provides for every need, but I sure wish I could bolster more support for them. I post on Facebook for the express reason of letting readers know what is going on, where, and how it affects and effects the world, the nation, and each one uniquely. These are dire times, so I cry out for compassion and assistance.

The mental strain has been hard on people, but I am concerned about the toll the war and decision-making is having on the Prime Minister, his wife and family? The same goes for each staff member, each soldier, each family member, the hostages. Plus, the seemingly continuous quarreling within and without. These certainly are the days that "try men's souls." Here in the United States, and in each corner of the world, there are those who have opinions, and hurl obsenities and insults, when we all should be on our knees before God asking for His mercy, repenting of our continuous griping and complaining, putting aside our fear of man, and grabbing hold to the hem of His garment, asking for divine wisdom and discernment for our leaders. Who are we to think that we know anything?! We are not the leaders, and they need our prayers.

I am reminded of a scene in Star Trek when Captain Kirk said the following:

"There will always be those who mean to do us harm. To stop them, we risk awakening the same evil within ourselves. Our first instinct is to seek revenge when those we love are taken from us. But that's not who we are... When Christopher Pike first gave me his ship, he had me recite the Captain's Oath. Words I didn't appreciate at the time. But now I see them as a call for us to remember who we once were and who we must be again. And those words: Space, the final frontier. These are the voyages of the Starship Enterprise. Her five-year mission: to explore strange new worlds, to seek out new life and new civilizations, to boldly go where no one has gone before."

The words written above should be considered, because they speak of character and integrity. As followers of Jesus Christ, we are not like those who want to see harm done or to do harm. We have to defend our nations, and this is what God expects us to do. A quick study of scripture can satisfy your minds on theat point. Our President wants peace with all nations, and he would love to see a world of peace, unity, and caring, focusing on making our world a safe and better place to do life. Israel, as God's chosen people, living in the land He gave them, wants to live in peace with her neighbors. Once Iran and Israel were on friendly terms. The same was true with the United States. Hopefully, things will change so that it can happen again. Whereas I am very much aware of what Bible prophecy says, my hope for all countries would be peace by following the commands of the Lord as our judge, lawgiver, and King. I do not have a pie in the sky mentality, but I do have ea childlike trust in everything He has said in His word. God can do anything, and I am expecting great things, because He is a covenant keeping Father. We all have our part to play in this conflict. Pray for our leaders, whether you agree with them or not, as this is what we are commanded to do in 1 Timothy 2:1-2. Rather than embarrassing yourselves and looking foolish, walk circumspect, not as fools, as Ephesians puts it. Trust God for He alone is worthy of praise. 

"Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing; were not the right Man on our side, the Man of God's own choosing; dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is He; Lord Sabboth, His name, from age to age the same. And He must win the battle." 

"And tho' this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us,we will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us; the Prince of Darkness grim - we tremble not for him; his rage we can endure, for lo, his doom is sure, one little word shall fell him."

"That word above all, earthly powers, no thanks for them, abideth; the Spirit and the gifts are ours, thro' Him who with us sideth: let good and kindred go, this mortal life also; the body they may kill; God's truth abideth still, His kingdom is forever. Amen."