The news coming out of Tehran was stunning this morning. A team of ISIS attackers stormed the Iranian Parliament building and a nearby shrine of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, resulting in the deaths of at least 12 and injuring scores more. This was the first attack by ISIS inside of Iran. The Iranians have been the presumed financial supporters of most terror organizations around the world, so this attack by ISIS upon "the hand that feeds them" was a stunning one. Reports so far have been hard pressed to understand the exact nature and purpose of these attacks, especially the one upon the shrine to the father of the Iranian Revolution of 1979. We know that ISIS is being pressed hard in Mozul, Iraq, and now in Raqqah, Syria. Perhaps it is their way of saying that they are not ready to roll over and play dead. It will be interesting to see how the Iranian government responds to these attacks. The leaders in terror have now become the victims of terror themselves. I wonder how "that shoe will fit?"
Today is June 7 - a day in which history remembers the reunification of the City of Jerusalem as part of the Six Day War of 1967. For fifty years Jerusalem has remained a united city in spite of concerted attempts by the world leaders to render it asunder once again. But the cry of June 1967 was "Never again!" and it has resonated among the Jewish people with solidarity these past years. In just a few days I will have the privilege of standing before that Western Wall and giving thanks to God for His faithfulness. It is always a moving moment.
Today also marks the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Midway, the greatest naval battle in history. A battle that turned the fortunes of World War II in favor of the Allies. This battle marked the beginning of the ending of the visions of empire by Japan. I guess we could say it was World War II's equivalent to "Gettysburg," but it would take another three long years before the War would end. And, of course, yesterday marked the 73rd anniversary of D-Day, really the battle that changed the fortunes of war in Europe. These are dates that should never be forgotten.
Making headlines yesterday was the arrest of Reality Winner, an employee of a company contracted by the National Security Agency. Ms. Winner has been accused of passing classified materials to a news organization, thus violating federal law and potentially putting American interests at risk. So, a leaker has been arrested. The question I have is this: how many more "Reality Winners" are there within our government? These people are traitors to their government. If they had reservations about the direction their government was going, the only right thing to do was to resign and move on to another place. But somehow these people believe they have the right to expose that which they personally do not like in the hopes of bringing about the collapse of a government they do cannot endorse. And these people feed right into the hands of a liberal, main-stream press that is ravenous for such materials. The MSM salivates for these "juicy morsels" of leaked information. In many ways, they are as complicate as is Ms. Winner. The government must prosecute Ms. Winner to the full extent of the law in order to send a strong message to other leakers who are undermining our government. If they fail to do this, then the leaking will not only continue, but more people will be encouraged to become involved in the leaking.
As I read articles about Ms. Winner, I was drawn to the story of Achan, found in Joshua 7. Achan was just another of the nobody members of the family of Israel. He had heard the commands that emanated by God through the voice of Joshua stating that everything within Jericho was to be totally destroyed - EVERYTHING. That word leaves NO ROOM for any exceptions! Yet, Achan felt that the decree from his governmental leader was too restricting. He did not like it. So, he took some clothing and some gold and silver. I don't know if Achan thought to himself "I'll show Joshua that he is wrong and I am right" or if he merely was looking out for himself. But his actions had fatal consequences to the family of Israel - defeat and death and despair. Through a legal process, Achan was exposed and punished severely - I would say being stoned to death and then having one's body burned was pretty severe. Yet, from that point on we read of no one else who tempted to take that which did not belong to him or her. The punishment of Achan sent a strong message to all.
Attention will be focused tomorrow morning on the testimony of former FBI director James Comey before the Senate Intelligence Committee. The buzz is "what will he say?" What I find difficult is the acceptance of anything that is said. We are living in a time when truth has been "kicked under the bus." Truth is now what I think truth should be. Will James Comey tell the truth? In his eyes he will. In the eyes of those who approve of what he says, he will. But in the eyes of those who disapprove of what he say, he will not. How is one to know truth these days? In the absence of any moral foundation, truth just becomes personal opinion. So the testimony will take place tomorrow but, upon its completion, there will still be this nagging question - "Did he tell the truth?"
Marlys and I had a great few days of vacation last week. We went to Branson and parts of Northwest Arkansas. If you will be in the Branson area, we highly recommend you get tickets for the Sight & Sound Theater production of "Moses." It is outstanding! And, if you want an outstanding meal served with youthful exuberance, then we recommend the Dobyn Room located on the campus of the College of the Ozarks. You will not be disappointed.
In these troubled days, it is good to know where our destiny really is. And how we need to stay focused upon the certainty of the promise of Jesus - "I will come again." May it be soon!
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