Yesterday, April 20, the nation of Israel celebrated its 62nd anniversary. I know, according to our calendar, this celebration is not until May 14, but you must remember that Israel's calendar is a lunar one, thus the datings are different. But, whether April 20 or May 14, this is another significant milestone in Israel's history. Sixty-two years of independence. Sixty-two years of being in the international spotlight. Sixty-two years of receiving nothing but animosity from its neighbors, and now from nearly the entire world. Yet, the nation of Israel continues to thrive as few nations have. Its agriculture is second to none in the world. Its technology is rivaled by no one. It military is on par with the United States, perhaps even more advanced. One wonders why the world simply cannot allow Israel to exist and to welcome its contributions to the family of nations.
An ominous cloud hangs over Israel today; a cloud of impending war. Just last week it was reported by several news sources that Hezbollah, located in southern Lebanon, had been receiving scud missiles from Syria. These rockets have a target range such that every city in Israel would be a target. And we know that Hamas, the terrorist power in the Gaza Strip, continues to smuggle weapons into its territory in spite of efforts by Egypt and the IDF to close down the smuggling tunnels.
Last week, King Abdullah of Jordan, in an interview with the "Chicago Tribune," stated that the Arab Peace Initiative - presented by the Saudis and approved by the Arab League of Nations for resolving the Palestinian-Israeli conflict - would expire in July. He stated that for moderate Arab states, like Jordan, there would be increasing pressure by other Arab states to go to war with Israel. He stated that such a war might happen as early as this summer.
To further compound the already unsettling picture, Russia announced on April 14 that the Iranian nuclear reactor at Bushehr will be fully operational by August. Will this force Israel's hand to act with a military strike? Their options certainly seem to be limited.
Friends, I urge you to reread Psalm 83. Get a map out and located those ancient people in the context of today's world. I think you will discover that Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia are being described. Yes their plans are for war. Yes they desire to drive Israel into oblivion. But, and pay attention here, God promises Israel a great victory over these belligerent neighbors.
Keep alert for these God-sightings. From volcanoes and earthquakes to political threats from world leaders to the financial collapse that will come - God is at work.
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