ISRAEL UPDATEJuly 3, 2005 – Abba Eban, a long-time diplomat for the State of Israel, once described his nation’s turbulent history as being in a constant state of flux… caught between celebration and anxiety.
Indeed, the 1948-49 War of Independence, the 1956 Sinai Campaign, the 1967 Six Day War, the 1973 Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) War, and the 1982 War in Lebanon, all brought about celebration as Israel was victorious in all of them.
However, the time between these wars saw the level of anxiety increase – as Israel’s enemies sought to destabilize her through wars of attrition.
Whether it was the closing of the Straits of Tiran, mobilizing troops on Israel’s borders, or random acts of terror, the war has waged far beyond the battlefield.
Just weeks ago, Israel celebrated her 57th year of sovereignty. Unfortunately, it has been a rocky road for her with all of the tension from the “constant state of flux.”
The threat of terrorism and the possibility of full-scale war are even more intimidating - as the constant boycotts, sanctions, and verbal aggression by her political enemies – continually takes its toll.
True, Israel does not have peace, but they also are not and have not been defeated… They are trapped between celebration and anxiety in G-d’s covenant land that has not yet come into her eternal inheritance. However, when she does, there will be no more anxiety, only eternal celebration…
July 3, 2005 – There is no believer in the world who has not questioned G-d’s working in his or her own life through the hard times or circumstances. As human beings, we fail to comprehend. Again, there are none of us who have not been tempted to cave in to the pressure, and then cease serving G-d.
In II Corinthians 4:8-9, Paul describes being troubled, but not distressed… perplexed, but not despaired… persecuted, but not forsaken… and cast down, but not destroyed… “[We are] troubled on every side, yet not distressed; [we are] perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;”
Therefore, knowing that these things have happened, and most assuredly will happen again… we must ask ourselves the most important of questions. Is what I am dealing with going to be an excuse for departure, or will it become the incentive to follow on to completion?
Many fall that do not seem to face nearly as much adversity as others; yet they stop short of finishing the race… why?
It certainly is not because G-d loves one person more than the other, nor is it because His grace is selective.
Rather, it boils down to the plain and simple fact that those who finish the race allow G-d to continue to work in their lives.
If we keep heaven on our minds, and allow to Holy Spirit to reign in our lives, we will have the incentive to get to the finish line.
To be continued…