Black Community News News and Commentary for Christians
As we watch the atrocities unfold in Israel and mourn the devastating loss of life, our minds ask the questions, “How long oh Lord? How much longer will evil bring pain and suffering into this world and impact the lives of your people?”
John 16:33
“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
Knowing we will have tribulation in this life is not a comforting thought. Knowing He (Jesus) has overcome the world reminds us that this tribulation-filled life and world are temporary. Yet in the midst of our current status as strangers and pilgrims in a world that is largely against Jews and Christian, there are important reminders for us of the faithfulness of God in this life.
Jeremiah 31:35-37
Thus says the LORD, Who gives the sun for a light by day, the ordinances of the moon and the stars for a light by night, Who disturbs the sea, and its waves roar (the LORD of hosts is His name): “If those ordinances depart from before Me, says the LORD, then the seed of Israel shall also cease from being a nation before Me forever.” Thus says the LORD: “If heaven above can be measured, and the foundations of the earth searched out beneath, I will also cast off all the seed of Israel for all that they have done, says the LORD.”
The wishes of Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran will not come to pass. The Jews will not be driven into the sea. Israel will not cease being a nation, says the Lord.
Ezekiel 36:20-24
“When they came to the nations, wherever they went, they profaned My holy name—when they said of them, ‘These are the people of the LORD, and yet they have gone out of His land.’ But I had concern for My holy name, which the house of Israel had profaned among the nations wherever they went. Therefore say to the house of Israel, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: “I do not do this for your sake, O house of Israel, but for My holy name’s sake, which you have profaned among the nations wherever you went. And I will sanctify My great name, which has been profaned among the nations, which you have profaned in their midst; and the nations shall know that I am the LORD,” says the Lord GOD, “when I am hallowed in you before their eyes. For I will take you from among the nations, gather you out of all countries, and bring you into your own land.”’”
Hamas, Hezbollah, Iran, and those supporting their efforts to destroy the Jews and the nation of Israel, are fighting against the plan of God, but they will not prevail. For the Jews to be outside of their national homeland profaned the name of the Lord, so He brought them back for His name’s sake, He will not allow them to be destroyed, for His name’s sake. They will not be uprooted from their national homeland, for His name’s sake. As glorious as this truth is and as important as it is to remember, we cannot forget that people are dying at the hands of those intent on evil against God’s people and land.
Zechariah 12:3
And it shall happen in that day that I will make Jerusalem a very heavy stone for all peoples; all who would heave it away will surely be cut in pieces, though all nations of the earth are gathered against it.
Ignorant and hateful people are blaming the actions of Hamas on Israel. Muslims around the world are violently protesting Israel’s defensive actions in Gaza. Jerusalem is becoming a burdensome stone to the world, and eventually all the nations of the earth will turn against her. Yet the Holy One of Israel says that He will be Israel’s defense.
Zechariah 12:10
“And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom they pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn.”
It has been said that the current developments in Israel are a second holocaust and more Jews died in one day, on October 7th, than any day since the reign of terror of the Nazi’s came to an end. Does this mean that we could be close to the beginning of the 70th week of Daniel and the fulfillment of the words of Zechariah? It seems quite possible.
Titus 2:11-14
For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.
The glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ precedes the 70th week of Daniel! So as we pray for Israel and the peace of Jerusalem, let’s do so soberly and righteously with our heads lifted up as our redemption draws nigh.
Psalms 121:4
Behold, He who keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.
Even so, come quickly Lord Jesus.
Amir Tsarfati, a Jewish Christian, is the founder and president of Behold Israel, a news site to correct the scarcity in trustworthy reportage on issues and events impacting Israel, and to resolve the uncertainty about who or what to believe.
