SOUND THE ALARM!
Our God is gracious and full of compassion, yet we can easily forget that He is also entirely righteous, holy and just. Every day we make choices that impact our relationship with Him that hold repercussions which spill over beyond the individual to the many. In His infinite mercy, God provides us with second chances which we should take great care to respect, for He has set a point whereby there is a red line that no living mortal or nation can cross without facing the consequences.
May Israel’s enemies be made aware of this and consider their folly. To look with disfavour on them is to invite God’s displeasure; to treat them offensively is to incur His wrath. Conversely, to befriend them is to ensure the rewards of a promise, for does not God say, “I will bless those who bless (Israel and the Jewish people) [who confer prosperity or happiness upon you] and curse him who curses or uses insolent language toward you; in you will all the families and kindred of the earth be blessed [and by you they will bless themselves]” (Gen. 12:3)
Now is the time to arouse as from sleep and ‘sound of the shofar’ with a ‘two-edged sword’ (the Word of God) in our hands. Is not this what each believer is called to do at such a time as this as His watchmen on behalf of those who are “the apple of his eye?” (Zech 2:8)
“Pray for shalom in Yerushalayim; may those who love you prosper.” (Ps 122:6) This means that we must earnestly pray for the end of the terror and missile attacks currently orchestrated by the terror organisation, Hamas, and the chaos created through hostilities incited by the Palestinians, knowing this can only occur when they accept the Prince of Peace, Yeshua, as their Messiah. But beyond this, praying for the shalom of Jerusalem is to pray for Yeshua’s return since this great event will only come when He takes His rightful throne in Jerusalem from where He will reign forever (Matt 23:37, Rom11:11-29, Rev. 11:15).
And finally, as one person has written, “Knowing the reward is not the reason for prayer or blessing the Jewish people – it is because of our love for Jerusalem and the Jewish people that we pray and bless. And the reason so many followers of Yeshua, both Jews and Gentiles love the Jewish people and the nation of Israel and the city of Jerusalem is because they love the God who created the nation of Israel and love the Messiah of Israel. You cannot possibly love Jesus and not love His chosen people…and this love leads to prayer and blessing, which brings blessing and peace to the believer.” Dr. Mitch Glaser https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/prayer/5-reasons-to-pray-for-the-peace-of-jerusalem.html
Raphael ben Levi
