From War to Peace 1-4-09

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Father and Son, come continually abide in me by Your Spirit. Put Your thoughts in my mind and Your desires in my heart. … "They pour out their arrogant words; all the evildoers boast. They crush Your people, O Lord, and afflict Your heritage. They kill the widow and the stranger, they murder the orphan, and they say, 'The Lord does not see; the God of Jacob does not perceive' " (Psalm 94:4-7). The eyes of the world are again on the land of Israel and the region of the Middle East. Israel is at war with Hamas. And Hamas is sworn to the destruction of Israel. And I know Your heart breaks for the Palestinians and Israelis and all who are victimized and traumatized by all the years of terror, hatred, and senseless destruction. Hamas has showered the homes and cities of men, women, and children with rockets sent to afflict terror and death. The leaders of Israel have decided they no choice but to invade Gaza to destroy Hamas' capacity to launch rockets against their civilian people. And sadly, Gaza is filled with homes and cities of men, women, and children enmeshed with these terrorists who hide and hurl their evil from among the people. I join the Christians who are called by Your name among Palestinians, Israelis, and all the nations of the earth praying for peace, praying for sanity, praying for the salvation of every soul in this broken and bloodied land. War is not Your heart, but at the same time You made it clear that sometimes true peace requires the sword (Matthew 10:34). Just as there is a time for peace, according to Your Word, there is also a time for war (Ecclesiastes 3:8). But Lord, I pray You would end this war as soon as possible to bring a true and lasting peace. I pray You would bring honor and respect for all people of all sides in this region. I pray that the eyes of all would be opened to the One who is the "Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6). Lord Jesus, You are the Messiah of Israel and the Christ of all nations. Use even this destruction to open eyes and hearts to You. Use all things -- even the evils and devastations of war -- to work together for good for those who will come to love You and call upon Your name (Romans 8:28). O God of Jacob, You do perceive and Your heart breaks for what You see. You want our hearts to break for what we see as well, to lead us to the place of prayer. And while Your heart breaks, You are also at work in ways we do not see, responding to prayers of Your people around the world we do not hear, moving all things toward the time of eternal peace -- in Israel and in all the world (Revelation 21:1). In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, I want everyone to understand I do not agree with all that the nation of Israel and its leaders choose to do and how they do it. But I also know that Scripture is very clear in our call to pray for the people of Israel and their prophetic destiny, ultimately leading to full salvation in Christ. "And even those of Israel, if they do not persist in unbelief, will be grafted in, for God has the power to graft them in again.... And so all Israel will be saved; as it is written: 'Out of Zion will come the Deliverer; He will banish ungodliness from Jacob. And this is My covenant with them, when I take away their sins' " (Romans 11:23-27). So I will persist in praying for the peace of Jerusalem and for God's blessings of the children of Abraham (Psalm 122:6; Genesis 12:3). I know this is not a popular position, and many will disagree, but I ask for grace for one another as we seek God's truth and presence in our lives together through prayer. God bless you! Subscribe free by email to Messiah Ministries -- MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God" www.messiah-ministries.org 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502 Please Click Here to Order our Ministry Resources or Contribute On-Line