Below is an excellent article from a leader in the land that all would benefit from reading:
Here in the Land, the probability of war is never far from our minds. But it has now moved from being a distant thought to an ever-present, accepted, and expected reality. Though the thought is not constantly in the forefront of our consciousness, the general abiding pressure in the spiritual atmosphere has risen such that of this we are constantly aware. We have not experienced anything like this since our aliyah in 1992…and we are not alone in this perception. Weaknesses and fleshly ways are coming to the surface like flashing neon signs. Crying out in pain from a thankful heart can be a blessed and memorable experience …if we choose the way of the Cross.
Knowing What We Don’t Know | From day to day we can feel the shifting in the spiritual atmosphere. And make no mistake…things really do shift from day to day. A month ago I had serious questions about whether the coming war would hinder my trips scheduled for October and November. Now at this moment that concern is not at all present. It’s difficult to know for certain why that is. Perhaps the Lord allows things to come to a particular level of intensity before the appointed time in order to awaken us.
Some believe that prayers and intercession pushed the war back. That could be so, or it all may be totally under God’s sovereign control. Either way, in view of the ever-increasing complexity of world events, we need to become practiced in reserving judgment until we have asked and heard from heaven about what God is doing.
As things visibly unfold, we are brought to wonder what is actually happening. Consider, for example, the actions, positions, and decisions of the President of the United States as He purposefully widens the gap between the US and Israel. Is this good or bad? Is it the hand of God or of satan? Is it according to God’s plan or something to be opposed? People say that Israel needs American support now more than ever. Would it be better that we learned to put our trust in God after we get through the Iranian crisis or before?
If America gets engaged in the conflict, it would likely draw Russia and even China and who knows who else in, possibly taking us into a world war. Without America and the others involved, it would most likely limit the conflict to the Middle East…which would be a “good” thing. Should we pray against the war or is it decreed to be by the Lord? If it must come, should we ask God to hold things back for a while? Would the additional time be more beneficial for our preparations than for our enemy’s build up?
Without knowing what God is doing, we do not know how to pray. If we seek God’s face with our whole heart, He will answer. It’s more about His speaking and our listening. Though this sounds simple, it is greatly opposed in the spirit. As normal an exercise as that should be, to come together and wait on the Lord seems to be one of the most difficult practices for believers to cultivate.
Here in the Land, the probability of war is never far from our minds. But it has now moved from being a distant thought to an ever-present, accepted, and expected reality. Though the thought is not constantly in the forefront of our consciousness, the general abiding pressure in the spiritual atmosphere has risen such that of this we are constantly aware. We have not experienced anything like this since our aliyah in 1992…and we are not alone in this perception. Weaknesses and fleshly ways are coming to the surface like flashing neon signs. Crying out in pain from a thankful heart can be a blessed and memorable experience …if we choose the way of the Cross.
Knowing What We Don’t Know | From day to day we can feel the shifting in the spiritual atmosphere. And make no mistake…things really do shift from day to day. A month ago I had serious questions about whether the coming war would hinder my trips scheduled for October and November. Now at this moment that concern is not at all present. It’s difficult to know for certain why that is. Perhaps the Lord allows things to come to a particular level of intensity before the appointed time in order to awaken us.
Some believe that prayers and intercession pushed the war back. That could be so, or it all may be totally under God’s sovereign control. Either way, in view of the ever-increasing complexity of world events, we need to become practiced in reserving judgment until we have asked and heard from heaven about what God is doing.
As things visibly unfold, we are brought to wonder what is actually happening. Consider, for example, the actions, positions, and decisions of the President of the United States as He purposefully widens the gap between the US and Israel. Is this good or bad? Is it the hand of God or of satan? Is it according to God’s plan or something to be opposed? People say that Israel needs American support now more than ever. Would it be better that we learned to put our trust in God after we get through the Iranian crisis or before?
If America gets engaged in the conflict, it would likely draw Russia and even China and who knows who else in, possibly taking us into a world war. Without America and the others involved, it would most likely limit the conflict to the Middle East…which would be a “good” thing. Should we pray against the war or is it decreed to be by the Lord? If it must come, should we ask God to hold things back for a while? Would the additional time be more beneficial for our preparations than for our enemy’s build up?
Without knowing what God is doing, we do not know how to pray. If we seek God’s face with our whole heart, He will answer. It’s more about His speaking and our listening. Though this sounds simple, it is greatly opposed in the spirit. As normal an exercise as that should be, to come together and wait on the Lord seems to be one of the most difficult practices for believers to cultivate.