LATTER RAIN AND HAIL TO SWEEP AWAY DECEPTION.
"Ask the LORD for rain in the time of the latter rain. The LORD will make flashing clouds; He will give them showers of rain, grass in the field for everyone" (Zechariah 10:1).
"I will make justice the measuring line and righteousness the level; Then hail will sweep away the refuge of lies and the waters will overflow the secret place (Isaiah 28:17).
The weather in Israel has been unusual of late. It is over a month since the beginning of the season for "latter rains" (the "former rains" begin in October). We received good precipitation during the late fall and again early this year. Parts of the deserts became green, remaining so much later than usual. Many places were filled with flowers. In recent years, it has not been uncommon for there to be little or no rain in April, so when earlier this past week there was a heat wave, we thought perhaps the rains were over. Then overnight, the temperatures took a dive, rain began in the north and snow began falling on Mount Hermon. Soon, more than 20 centimeters had accumulated there, and there was flooding in many places about the country. Saturday, news services were reporting temperatures lower for this time of year than they've been in over 25 years. Yesterday (Sunday), found storms moving across the country, accompanied by hail. "Rare Hail Storm Hits Tel Aviv" read one headline in The Jerusalem Post. At one point in early afternoon, the ground and streets in Jerusalem were covered with hail. When it hails in Israel, it usually comes as the vanguard of a storm system. But this was different; it was coming intermittently and violently.
We are grateful for the moisture. After such a dry 2013-14 season, God has truly been blessing Israel. Yet the unusual hail-coupled with the Scripture from Isaiah quoted above-make us wonder if God may be trying to tell us something. One week from this Wednesday is the deadline for Mr. Netanyahu to form his coalition. It still appears far from certain whether he will have done so by then-at least with the right-wing parties he has been working to bring into it. We have not doubts that Netanyahu is the leader of God's choosing for this season. But what are God's priorities during that season as regards the government with which he must lead? There could be serious drawbacks were he to dump those with whom he is presently negotiating, and reach for a unity-government with Labor, presently planted in the opposition. But there might be equally serious drawbacks to being bound-up with the two ultra-Orthodox parties. Most of the apprehension in Israel is over the rapidly increasing dangers posed by Iran. Any confrontation with that power would require the widest and most unified governmental front possible.
PLEASE PRAY:
*That God will bring into formation a strong, unified government capable of addressing the challenges facing Israel in months to come.
*That this will be a government characterized by justice and righteousness. Pray that any hidden refuge of falsehood satan may be using to bring into place a weakened and inept government, will be exposed-the secrets brought out into the open. "I will make justice the measuring line and righteousness the level; Then hail will sweep away the refuge of lies and the waters will overflow the secret place (Isaiah 28:17).
*Integrity and protection (both mental and physical) over Benyamin Netanyahu. That he will not be deceived, but be granted divine grace in the judgments he must make during the coming week. Pray a grace and protection over his family, and God's favor over him as he moves into his new term as Israel's leader.
portions taken from Israel Prayer list
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