If you’re anything like me, you’ve heard and seen the things that are going on in Israel. Now, I’ll be the first person to admit that I don’t know much about this topic. But what I do know is that there are people involved. There is fear involved. There is anger and maybe even hatred involved. There are pleas for safety and rescue involved. There is death involved. Why? Because sin is not hiding. It is parading around making us think that it is the way to eternal satisfaction while it’s dawning nothing but death and destruction. We are witnessing the depravity of man as we speak and it is plastered all over the news and social media and all around the world we hear the cries of many asking who is to help us in this time? Who can we look to in these times when tragedy and death is all that I see? And hopefully, the church with a resounding mighty roar answer their cries with “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way…” (Psalm 46:1-2a). Only the God of the universe can bring enough peace that even though missiles are flying over their heads can they continue to sing “Hallelujah, Christ my King”.
So, Christian, you have an opportunity during these times, do not waste it by speaking false claims or pointing them away from Christ. Instead do these things…
First, There is fear in many, point them to God who rids all fear.
Remind any and all that the Lord hold all things together (Col. 1:17). That he sees all things and knows all things. No conversation is happening without him hearing. So there is no reason for you to be afraid for the Lord God said himself that he would never “leave you nor forsake you” (Deut. 31:6).
Secondly, when those people are tired of praying because it seems like he is silent encourage them not to grow weary but to continue in faith that the Lord hears the prayers of his children. That he is working, though we may not see or feel it the Lords hand is moving. Make sure to always continue to point them to set their gaze on Christ and to not look away. Pray that they are so consumed with looking towards Christ that the enemy can’t get a single foot in their view. That yes, things may be bad and from our view all things look hopeless but to remind them that God is the author of hope.
Now, Christian, this is the harder one. For the enemy. For the one who is doing the evil. For the one we have deemed in our soul that it would be better for God to wipe them from the face of the planet than to redeem them. Do these things…
Pray for them, love them (Matt. 5:44). Yes, this feels impossible. It may feel unjust or just down right wrong to you but this I will say and do not read this in a manner that I am justifying anything they are doing. I am just trying to love my enemy the best I can 6,429 miles away in Suwanee Georgia. Pray that the Lord would revive their dead hearts. Pray that the Lord would make them aware of the things they are doing and I am sure you are on the other side reading this saying, “they do know what they are doing!” Do they? How can a person with a dead heart that does not know Christ see the evil in their lives if he doesn’t know what life and goodness look like? How can a dead person do anything good? Why are we surprised when a sinner sins! The enemies we are praying for have dead hearts who do not have the capability in and of themselves to do what is right. So, we ought to pray fervently for them that God would make them aware by reviving their dead hearts to life and to call them to himself. The only enemy we should be praying for God to destroy is Satan himself. He is the author of this evil we are seeing. So, pray for his destruction and the freedom of those in his grip so that they may see life and have it abundantly (John 10:10).
The Lord is still good my friends, regardless of what the world looks like we have a Savior and his name is Jesus. Go and remind people of this truth.
