They Have Not Prevailed

Scripture:
Since my youth they have often attacked me—
let Israel say—
since my youth they have often attacked me,
but they have not prevailed against me.
Psalm 129:1-2

Observation: How very often I have thought this during the last 13 months at least ... one of the most definitive signs of the Lord is not only the existence of Israel, but the history of hatred directed toward it. Israel is a nation that began as one childless old man, living as a foreigner in a tent. As his family grew, they went from being ignored, to being outcast, to being hated, to being oppressed, to being attacked. More than 3,500 years later, they remain outcast, hated and attacked, even by people who have no idea why they should possess such an attitude, let alone by evil terrorists who have made this one hate their life's mission.

Yet here they still stand, still existing, still a people. There is no explanation outside of the supernatural will of the Lord. Since their youth, the world has often attacked them, but the world has not prevailed.

Application: Once again, there is no explanation I could ever logically rationalize for the survival of the Jews outside of the will of the Lord. I will never stand against Israel or the Jews. I do pray for their acceptance of - their awakening toward - Jesus as Messiah. I do pray for the end of hostilities toward them, and for Shalom to exist in Jerusalem and throughout their land. I do pray for wisdom of their national leaders, softening of their religious leaders, and health for all their people whether or not I know them or have a connection to them. I pray that the misguided in society around me would reconsider the reasons for their own minds in these matters, and recognize the spiritual root cause as part of their own awakening to faith. I pray that Christians would be unified in our support of the Jews both publicly and privately.

Prayer: Lord, I pray all these things for Israel, for the Jews, for Christians, and for all people. By their actions as a people, may your nation of priests once again make you known to the very ends of the earth. Please bless them, so you blessing may flow to all. Amen.