"For long time Israel has been without the true God, without a teaching priest, and without law; but when in their trouble they turned to the LORD God of Israel, and sought Him, He was found by them. And in those times there was no peace to the one who went out, nor to the one who came in, but great turmoil was on all the inhabitants of the lands. So nation was destroyed by nation, and city by city, for God troubled them with every adversity. But you, be strong and do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded!" (II Chronicles 15:3-7).
"The LORD has broken the staff of the wicked, the scepter of the rulers. He who struck the people in wrath with a continual stroke, he who ruled the nations in anger is persecuted and no one hinders." (Isaiah 14:5-6)
"By awesome deeds in righteousness You will answer us, O God of our salvation, You who are the confidence of all the ends of the earth, and of the far-off seas.You who still the noise of the seas, the noise of their waves, and the tumult of the peoples." (Psalm 65:5-7)
It has been a tumultuous week throughout the Middle East. Following Tunisia and Egypt's lead, there have been massive demonstrations against regimes in Bahrain, Yemen, Morocco, and Iran. In Libya, as of this writing, there are reports of as many as 200 civilians killed by strong-man Moammar Ghadhafi's military. Even Saudi Arabia, assumed to be in no imminent danger of a democratic takeover, what with its vast oil resources, powerful religious system and popular king-even that enormous monarchy is said to nevertheless be "feeling increasingly isolated and concerned with what is going on around it.and [after the fall of Mubarak, with whom it had been counted an ally] that the United States may no longer be a reliable backer." ("Unrest Encircles Saudis, Stoking Sense of Unease":The New York Times (Internet), 19 Feb 2011.)
And Iran has chosen this time to send two warships, a frigate and a supply ship, through the Suez Canal into the Mediterranean. This is the first transit of the canal by an Iranian military vessel since the 1979 revolution. Prime Minister Netanyahu said today that "Israel takes a grave view of this Iranian step.We can see what an unstable region we live in, an area in which Iran is trying to take advantage of the situation that has arisen and broaden its influence by transferring two warships via the Suez Canal." It is not known what the freight of the cargo ship may be. The two are expected to dock in a Syrian port. Of course, some are saying that two ships can do little harm. But Israel sees their making their way into the Mediterranean theatre as a provocation. Israel has already thwarted a number of craft sent from Iran, covertly smuggling arms to Hamas operatives in Gaza. What is the real meaning/motive behind this act? What might it be a beginning of?
Meanwhile, the United States vetoed a UN Security Council resolution put forward by the Palestinian Authority on Friday which condemned Israeli communities beyond the 1949 Armistice ("Green") Line as "illegal" and demanded an immediate halt to all settlement building. It is the first time since Mr Obama took office that the US has used its veto power, although in ordering this, the President made it clear that he is opposed to Israeli building in the territories. He had reportedly spoken for 50 minutes on Thursday with Palestinian President Abbas, attempting to persuade him to withdraw the resolution, or revise it, calling Israeli settlements "illegitimate" rather than "illegal"--but to no avail. The US acted alone in the veto-the other 14 members voted in favour. Were it to have been passed the bill would effectively have delegitimized the existence of not only isolated settlements in Judea and Samaria but vast areas in Jerusalem, including the Temple Mount and Old City, the modern city's suburbs, and large blocks such as Maale Adumim and Ariel presently home to tens of thousands of Israelis. In fact, any Israeli presence in any of the territory taken from Jordan after she chose to attack Israel during the 1967 War, would be pronounced "illegal". In response to the American veto, the PA plans to call an emergency session of the UN General Assembly to condemn Israel, and some leaders have called for a "Day of Rage" amongst their people later this week.
Lastly, an article in Israel's HaAretz last Thursday noted the increasing international isolation the Israeli Prime Minister appears to be facing because of doubts in the nations regarding his seriousness in moving the peace process forward. It points towards his travel schedule abroad, noting that during his first year in office he took 13 trips abroad to nine countries, then eight trips to six countries during his second year. When he takes a trip to Bulgaria and the Czech Republic (two countries in the EU which rarely criticize Israel) in early April, he will not have left the country in five months except for a short trip to Egypt in January. Major countries in the EU have not been on his itinerary in some time, and several others (Jordan, India, China) have made it clear that they are not interested in his visiting ("Netanyahu faces international isolation as peace process stalls": Haaretz.com, 17/02/11) . It is becoming an increasingly lonely place Prime Minister Netanyahu finds himself in as a result of the choices he has made-choices seen as courageous by some, as weak and impertinent by others.
PLEASE PRAY:
*Looking for insight and counsel to our God "who changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding. He reveals deep and secret things; He knows what lies in darkness and Light dwells with Him" (Daniel 2:21-22).
For believers in these nations to be protected, to be granted prophetic insight about their lands,so as to be ready to move courageously and decisively how and when the Lord directs. There are reports from those who, with the deposition of their present leaders, strongly sense that there is a window of time opening for the Gospel, which must be taken advantage of now!
*That "He who watches over Israel and neither slumbers nor sleeps" will take account of the Iranian vessels proudly making their way towards Syria.Warships of a nation whose leaders have called for the destruction of the "Zionist Entity" (Israel). That any plots of the enemy for evil alliances or attacks set against His Covenant Land will be exposed.
*That God will strengthen and encourage Benjamin Netanyahu.That he will be guided by the eye of Israel's God. That he like Asa (see first Scripture above) will "be strengthened and not let his hands be weak"-that God would send a prophetic message of encouragement to him as He did in II Chronicles 15. The Prime Minister will hear and believe that "The LORD is with you while you are with Him. If you seek Him, he will be found by you"
*That President Obama will listen to godly counsel regarding the decision he just made.that he will not be influenced by threats of "alienation" himself for having taken a stand on Israel's behalf. That he will not undo what he has done with his words.
That in the "revolutionary" winds blowing with increasing intensity in the Middle East, there will be those in each of these countries who will have spiritual discernment (the Hebrew word for spirit ruach is exactly the same as that for wind) between winds of righteousness and those of lawlessness-that they will not to be swept into revolution for its own sake (which amounts to mere lawlessness), but will feel, see and stand against plots of the forces of Darkness which are roaring in the wings. Pray for an igniting of the Fear of the Lord and a Hope-inspired Passion for His Redemptive purposes for their respective nations.
portions taken from Israel Prayer List
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