“Do not gloat over me, my enemy! Though I have fallen, I will rise. Though I sit in darkness, the LORD will be my light,” Micah 7:8 (NIV). God’s words are a powerful reminder of the resilience and endurance of Israel, the Holy Land, even during war and conflict.
This verse is a powerful reminder that even in the darkest times, the Lord will be a guiding light whether the Jewish nation is attacked by neighboring nations or internal discord. He will provide whatever is needed to get through the challenges Israelis encounter.
The brazen aggression by Hamas shook Jewish people at home and abroad. The last time Israelis were at war was in 1973 during Yum Kippur. Nearly 50 years ago, the nation was attacked by a coalition of Arab states led by Egypt and Syria.
The Fourth Arab-Israeli War began on October 4 and ended 19 days bloody days later. In 1973, the United States supported God’s chosen nation during this armed conflict as it does today.
However, this is a different kind of war.
The latest Hamas attack on the Holy Land was exceedingly violent, with the Iranian-funded Islamist terrorists kidnapping and sexually assaulting Israeli civilians.
Reports indicate these terrorists murdered women and children. They snuck into cities and towns near the Gaza border and took hostages of all ages during their door-to-door searches. Thousands are dead or missing.
On October 7, 2023, Hamas attacked God’s Holy Land with a massive military operation. Many sources say the terrorists shot “thousands of rockets into Israel.” They attacked “by land, air, and sea.”
God Stands With Israel
Despite many reports that Iranian leaders claimed they were shocked by Hamas’ brutal attack, they knew the attack was about to happen. Gahzi Hamad, an Iranian spokesperson, told the BBC that Hamas had received funding for the attack.
This should not be a surprise, as Iran’s objective is to destroy “the Zionist regime that is occupying Jerusalem.”
They have declared that God’s chosen people must be wiped off of the map. Pastor Greg Laurie wrote, “Interesting how it always comes back to Jerusalem.”
The Bible predicted, thousands of years ago, that the end-time events would revolve around Jerusalem,” Laurie continued.
However, “Jerusalem, this tiny little city, in this tiny sliver of land, will play a key role in the events of the last days.”
In Zechariah 12:3-4 God says, “On that day, when all the nations of the earth are gathered against her, I will make Jerusalem an immovable rock for all the nations. All who try to move it will injure themselves. On that day, I will strike every horse with panic and its rider with madness,” declares the Lord. “I will keep a watchful eye over Judah, but I will blind all the horses of the nations” (NIV).
Pastor Laurie said, “Here’s where students of Bible prophecy should pay attention.”
The Bible says that Israel would be scattered and regathered in the end times. “This has happened, and this really was the sign that set the prophetic clock ticking.”
During the Holocaust, six million Jewish lives ended at the hands of Nazis. “Who would have imagined the Jewish people would regather in their homeland?”
“But it happened against all odds. And on May 14, 1948, Israel became a nation. I’m proud to say the United States was the first nation to acknowledge that,” Laurie added.
Amos’ prophecy explained what God had told him about the judgment against Israel’s neighbors in verses 6 and 7, “This is what the Lord says: “For three sins of Gaza, even for four, I will not relent. Because she took captive whole communities and sold them to Edom, I will send fire on the walls of Gaza that will consume her fortresses” (NIV).
Daily Jesus Devotional reminds followers of this prophecy, a powerful testament to Jerusalem’s divine protection and significant role in the unfolding of the end times. The prophecy in Ezekiel chapters 37 and 38 reveals Israel’s situation after regathering. He said the Jewish nation would not enjoy peace for long and would come under attack from a nation out of the far north.
Many Biblical scholars believe this nation from the far north would be modern-day Russia. Ezekiel 38 also mentions Ethiopia, Libya, and Persia — now known as Iran.
How Should Christians Respond to the Brutal Attack on Israel?
As the world watches Israel’s response to Hamas’ act of war, Christians wonder what they should do. Prayer for the Jewish communities and God’s Holy Land is essential.
Also, pray for innocent victims and their grieving loved ones. Psalm 122:6 says, “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May those who love you be secure” (NIV).
As believers, Christians are mandated to intercede for Israel. They should also pray for the terrorist attacks to end, for the safe return of hostages, for a lasting peace to reign in God’s Holy Land, and for God’s divine protection over the nation of Israel. These prayers are a powerful force when aligned with God’s will.
Daily Jesus Devotional suggests: First and foremost, Christians’ eyes should be looking upward because Jesus said that when these things begin to happen, Christians should look up and lift their heads because redemption is drawing near, Luke 21:28.
This means Christians should be living with a sense of anticipation and readiness for the return of Jesus Christ. It is not a time for fear or despair but a time for spiritual and moral preparation as we wait for the day of our ultimate redemption, explained the Daily Jesus Devotional.
Written by Cathy Milne-Ware
Sources:
YouTube: Daily Jesus Devotional: What Israel Hamas Palestine Conflict 2023 Means: Bible Prophecy Explained
Harvest: War in Israel: A Fulfillment of Bible Prophecy? By Greg Laurie
Medium: Hamas vs Israel: What Does the Bible Say About It? By Casimiro Filipe
Aljazeera: Analysis: Why did Hamas attack now and what is next? By Joe Macaron
CNBC: Israel-Hamas war live updates: 22 U.S. citizens confirmed dead; Israel to form emergency government; By Amanda Macia, Sam Meredith, and Ruxandra Iordache
Featured and Top Image by Taylor Brandon Courtesy of Unsplash
First Inset Image by Toa Heftiba Courtesy of Unsplash
Second Inset Image by Israel Defense Forces Courtesy of Flickr – Creative Commons License
Third Inset Image by Levi Meir Clancy Courtesy of Unsplash+
Fourth Inset Image by Ismael Prarmo Courtesy of Unsplash
