In today's edition of the Israeli newspaper Israel Hayom, Dr. Haim Shine writes, "There is an alarming straight line that connects Munich 1938 and Geneva 2013. It has been proven many times throughout history that Jews can rely only on themselves."
Dr. Shine's words really pierced my heart. It took me back to my first visit to Israel about 12 years ago. I had walked down to the edge of the Sea of Galilee to watch the sun set. There were two teenage girls there, perched on some large rocks. They overheard me praying aloud and came near to ask, "Are you American?" I smiled and told them I was. They did not smile back; their expressions were gravely serious. "Why did you come here?" they exclaimed, "Everyone hates us!"
I've never forgotten that moment. It was as if I understood for the first time what it meant to be Jewish and have the family history that connects Germany of 1938 to our day - and even to the agreements being struck with Iran in Geneva right now, today. And the saddest part of all this is that, as Dr. Shine writes, the Israeli Jews believe that they can rely only on themselves - their military might and intelligence. His article, which you can read here, ends with these words:
"Thank God we now have an independent state with a strong military that can ensure the future of the Jewish people. It is critical that Israeli leaders, both from the Right and Left, now stand united behind the vital interests of the existence of the state. It has been shown more than once in the past that if we stand united, we can overcome all enemies, near and far."
Please, beloved friends, pray that the Jews of Israel begin to rely on the Holy One of Israel, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob! He alone can overcome all their enemies, near and far. Pray that they would get into the Scriptures and meet Him, the One who saved their ancestors time and time again from every enemy, every calamity, every evil intent to destroy the Jewish race forever. Herod wasn't able to do it; Antiochus Epiphanes wasn't able to do it; even Hitler failed! Though Satan himself wants to totally destroy the people through whom the seed of Messiah comes, we have read the end of the Book and we know that ultimately he loses the battle!
But in the meantime, we need to be in much prayer.
Father, lift the veil from Jewish eyes, that they might begin to call upon Your Name and rely upon You and Your angelic army. Yeshua, appear to your people in visions and dreams and reveal Yourself as the Messiah they still await. Remember your promises to your people, promises of redemption and salvation. Give Dr. Haim Shine and thousands of other Jews like him, the assurance that you have not forgotten them!
This is what the Lord says: in the time of My favor I will answer you, and in the day of salvation I will help you; I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people, to restore the land and to reassign its desolate inheritances, to say to the captives 'Come out,' to those in darkness, 'Be free!' Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Thought she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me. (Isaiah 49:8-9, 15-16)
On that day, when all the nations of the earth are gathered against her, I will make Jerusalem an immovable rock for all the nations. All who try to move it will injure themselves. (Zech. 12:3)
Hear the word of the LORD, O nations; proclaim it in distant coastlands: He who scattered Israel will gather them and will watch over His flock like a shepherd. For the LORD will ransom Jacob and redeem them from the hand of those stronger than they. (Jeremiah 31:10-11)
