“Because there sit the chairs for judgment; the chairs for the house of David.” Psalm 122-5
I find it very ironic that I am writing this blog entry during these challenging times here in Israel. The truth is that one day, each one of us will face the Judge and will give an account for our lives. Hamas and its allies will have to give an account; the nations will give an account; the government of Israel will also give an account. No one is exempt from standing before the Judge!
On Tuesday, August 26, 2014 in the afternoon, the “Red Alert” messages on my cell phone started to go crazy, informing me that southern and central Israel were under severe attack from Hamas and Islamic Jihad terror groups, firing dozens of rockets into Israel. As I was checking the news to see what was happening, I saw that a “ceasefire” agreement was about to come into affect within an hour of that time (6:00 PM Israel time). It was at that time that I also received news that two Israeli citizens were killed and a few others were injured as a result of the attack.
My anger burned! Here we had, once again, a “ceasefire” controlled by Hamas and not Israel; once again, rockets were raining down over my country; once again, Israeli people were injured and killed; once again, Israel caved to world pressure, and once again, terror won. I simply could not understand this senseless situation! The Israeli citizens in the south are afraid to return to their homes; many of them don’t even have homes to come back to. Here we are, a weary nation, after 50 days of intense war (or “operation” as the Israeli Government refuses to address it as a war for monetary reasons), with more than 70 murdered Israelis, including a 4 year-old boy, hundreds injured, and thousands for whom the effect of this war will be felt for many years. Even my three young children suffer from stress; they jump at the sound of an ambulance or police siren, asking if that’s the kind of siren for which they need to go into the safe room. And all we can do is wait…wait “until the next time…” when Hamas will once again rearm and attack Israel with even more sophisticated and deadly weapons.
And here I was, once again dealing with my own emotions after 50 days of stress, worry, sleepless nights, anger mixed with sadness and relief, and what all this will mean for me, my family, the ministry, and my people.
While I was in the midst of all that chaos, I was reminded of my own words from the past few years from my presentations about “Current events in Israel and how will they affect you” in different parts of the world, in which I said that I believed that God will bring Israel to a place where we will have nowhere else to look but to Him alone. We will not be able to look to the nations, as they will be blinded by the devil and turn their backs on us. We will not be able to look at our own government here in Israel because they will make decisions inspired by the fear of men and not of God. We will not even be able to look at the greatest army in the world for protection (the IDF) because they will be worn out and hurt by our own leadership. When one looks at the most current conflict with Hamas in Gaza, one can see that we are nearing these days of which I warned, and in fact, the vast majority of these things have already happened.
“I will go away and return to My place until they acknowledge their guilt and seek My face; In their affliction they will earnestly seek Me.” Hosea 5:15
My entire conclusion above is simply because of the fact that, as I read the Word of God, I can see the events that are on the horizon.
I was convicted. It was at that point that I started to pray, and ask God for forgiveness for the parts of unrighteous anger within me, and pray for the salvation of the nations, my people, and even my enemies. I prayed for wisdom and God’s mercy over the leaders of Israel and the nations of the world. I prayed for God’s healing and comfort to be with those who lost their loved ones, for those who were injured, for those who lost their homes and businesses, and for all those who were affected by this war. I prayed that Hosea 6:1-3 would come to pass:
“Come, let us return to the LORD. For He has torn us, but He will heal us; He has wounded us, but He will bandage us. “He will revive us after two days; He will raise us up on the third day that we may live before Him. “So let us know, let us press on to know the LORD. His going forth is as certain as the dawn; And He will come to us like the rain, Like the spring rain watering the earth.””
My brothers and sisters, in closing, in the same way that Hamas and its evil allies will have to give an account, the nations will have to give an account, the Government of Israel will have to give an account, so will each of us give an account for how we react toward them!
Make it right with God today; make sure your heart is in the right place and continue to follow Him in the difficult days that lay ahead.
Shabbat Shalom,
Moran
3 Comments on “Chairs for Judgment; A Personal Reflection – Psalm 122:5”
Although I don’t live in the Land, I too experience some of what you’re going through. No, I don’t need to run for shelter, but the reports and images on TV that we get, why is this happening? I don’t understand or trust our government especially when I know it doesn’t stand for Israel. It doesn’t make sense! But then I’m reminded, God is in control and I can breath a little easier.
I’m constantly repenting for my attitude as well. Maybe it’s a guilt thing (LOL). God tells us to pray for our enemies. Sometimes it’s difficult but I know that’s God’s will!
During this time we need to pray, seek forgiveness, hold fast to God’s promises and encourage and/or edify one another. One of the many promises is Psalm 103:1-4 1 A Psalm of David. Bless the LORD, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name! 2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits: 3 Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, 4 Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, do need God’s mercy and lovingkindness
This is also the time to encourage one another Romans 14:19 Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another.
We are in the process of being refined. It might seem difficult, but God will not give us more than we can handle. I’m not giving up for there’s nothing too difficult for God! AMEN!
Good thoughts Moran. Thanks for the transparency. We all of us are dealing with our impotent anger at some level. Let us turn that to fervent prayer as you have and beseech our God to come quickly, come soon. Jesus, You are the only answer we have for all of this.
Oh great YHWH, shield YOUR people, lead them all back to YOU, encourage and strengthen their hearts to trust YOU, in days of calm or adversity … In CHRIST JESUS´ Name, amen.