I took a short break from the internet, and when I came back, I saw the devastating attack on Israel. Many Christians, this writer included, love Israel. Why? For me, it’s the people from whom God chose to be the ancestors of Jesus. One of the best ways to know God’s ways (besides spending time with Him in prayer and worship) is to read about His works in, for, through, and even against Israel. Just as Jesus used parables to explain heavenly principles, we can learn more about Him, His justice, and love through God’s Old Testament dealings with Israel. Jesus came first to the Jews. My love of God compels me to love Israel. As a parent, I love people who love and bless my kids (even as they are adults). To me, loving Israel and the Jewish people pleases God the same.
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:
Psalm 122:6
“May they prosper who love you.
Today’s Temple
Psalm 122 says that we would pray for the peace of Jerusalem that God will bless those who love her. Why Jerusalem? It was where God established His temple. It was the focus of worship to God in the Old Testament. It was the center of rule, guidance, policy, hope, comfort, and expectation. It’s the location of the temple where God met His people. Under the grace of the blood of Christ, this temple is now us, collectively and physically. We should respect the first chosen temple and the first chosen people. We should pray for God’s modern temple, the human church, and ourselves individually. When we receive Jesus in our hearts and allow Him to live there, we are His temple. God desires peace on earth, and He has goodwill for all men and women.
16 [a]Do you not know and understand that you [the church] are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells [permanently] in you [collectively and individually]?
1 Corinthians 3:16
Who Does God Love?
Matthew 5:43-47 hits hard when we are faced with grave injustices. I thought for the longest time that God wants us to suffer attacks from others and turn the other cheek. We may never, most likely won’t get an apology from those who have treated us inhumanely and tore us apart. Like with all things, He also expects us to do our part. What is our part? We pray for those whose hearts are so hardened, bitter, angry, suspicious, vile, and sometimes evil that the devil would no longer have a place in them. We pray that they come to repentance and get saved. We know we’ve completely healed when we can pray for our perpetrators. The images I’m seeing affronts the humanity in my soul, making me angry. The best thing I can do is pray for Israel, pray for these perpetrators that they would know the true God, that they would repent, and there would be peace.
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet only your brothers,[a] what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?
Matthew 5:43 -47
Prayers for God’s House
God created humans for a relationship with Him. The further away we drift from Him, the harder it is to give and receive from true, unselfish love. God is not only the creator of love, but He is love. During this time of tragedy, my heart aligns with Romans 12:15 as my heart weeps for those who weep for their loved ones and the innocents on both sides of the line. Especially for the children I’ve seen in cages. I pray that God will save them. 1 Peter 3:9 says that it’s not God’s will that anyone should perish. We must also pray for the Christians in that region that they would be able to carry the power, light, and love of Christ into this dark time in history. May God’s will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
9 The Lord does not delay [as though He were unable to act] and is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is [extraordinarily] patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.
2 Peter 3:9
8 For this is what the Lord Almighty says: “After the Glorious One has sent me against the nations that have plundered you—for whoever touches you touches the apple of his eye—
Zechariah 2:8
