Peace in the Turmoil
As we come nearer to the projected end of the military campaign in Iran, it is imperative that we pray for wise decisions to be made by the President and his military leaders. The evil regime in Iran has been a cancer to the people of Iran, the Middle East, and other portions of the world. Allowing the leading sponsor of terrorism throughout the world - with stated objectives of annihilating the U.S. and Israel - to possess nuclear weapons would have been insane, if not suicidal.
Many of our previous Presidents have stated that this must not happen, but kicked the can down the road to the next commander-in-chief, while the evil regime kept inching ever closer. President Trump decided to take action and do so in a way that keeps them from rebuilding their nuclear and terrorist ambitions anytime soon. And if regime change occurs in the process, great.
Our military, along with Israel’s, has achieved great success in the endeavor, while trying to leave intact as much infrastructure as possible for future Iranians. Two considerations are now critical in the decision-making process:
The Strait of Hormuz is now a complicating factor. How far do we go to eliminate Iran’s control over it, choking off oil flow to many nations, since our annihilation of Iran’s military has been largely accomplished? Trump doesn’t want to get bogged down long term, and he wants other nations - especially those that need the oil - to step up and help deal with this evil regime. At this point, many of them are saying no, signaling that they want Americans to continue footing the bill to protect the world, as we have been doing since WWII.
Secondly, how far do we go to take out the evil regime, positioning the Iranian people to rise up and establish a sane government? The stated goals were to destroy Iran’s Air Force, Navy, missile, and nuclear capabilities, with the hope that this would also cause regime change. Most of this has been accomplished - Iran obviously still has some missiles and launchers - but how much more should we do beyond simply finishing off the military? How far should we go to destroy the evil, murderous regime itself?
In essence, these two questions - and others I may not be considering - essentially translate to: How do we finish this war? President Trump and his team will need to make very wise decisions in the coming days. These decisions will impact not only the lives of millions of people, but the spiritual harvest in the Middle East! We can help generate the right decisions through our prayers. We can!
Resurrection Day
On the heels of Resurrection Day and in a tumultuous world, I thought I would share with you an encouraging event that occurred on the actual day Christ rose from the dead. Two of His followers had a revelatory encounter with Him. To say that their world had recently turned topsy-turvy would be a gross understatement. To have discovered, lived with, and traveled with Jesus for three years, only to lose Him to death on the Cross would be life’s cruelest injustice.
These two men were informed earlier in the day that Christ had risen from the dead. But, really, who would believe two grief-stricken ladies claiming to have been visited by angels (Luke 24:1-12)? As these men walked the seven-mile journey to Emmaus, they discussed this too-good-to-be-true report and all that had transpired over the past few days.
That’s when He arrived. “And it came about that while they were conversing and discussing, Jesus himself approached, and began traveling with them. But their eyes were prevented from recognizing Him” (Luke 24:15-16).
“What are you discussing?” He wanted to know. They gave Jesus a brief summary, expressing their surprise that He would even have to ask. “What else would we be discussing?” was the inference. It seems everyone in Jerusalem could think of little else than what had transpired with Christ the last few days, since so many of them had thought He might be the long-awaited Messiah. They spoke to Him of their devastation and also of the rumor that He had risen from the dead.
Jesus, His identity still hidden from them, “explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures” (v. 27), including the fact that He had to suffer and die. Though they still didn’t know it was Jesus, His words began impacting their hearts. “Were not our hearts burning within us while He was speaking to us... explaining the Scriptures to us?” they stated (v. 32).
When they reached their destination, the men pleaded with Jesus to stay longer with them, perhaps spend the night. The Lord agreed to do so, and during dinner, “He took the bread and blessed it, and breaking it, He began giving it to them. And their eyes were opened, and they recognized Him” (vv. 30-31). He disappeared from their sight at that moment, and they hurried back the seven miles to Jerusalem with the good news: Christ was risen, indeed.
I find it more than a coincidence that Jesus chose to temporarily hide from these men who He was, waiting to release the revelation “in the breaking of the bread” (v. 35). Was the timing His way of saying to them, “Sup with Me and I will reveal to you hidden things?” I believe so. Feed on Christ’s Word (Matthew 4:4). As you do, revelation will be given. He will reveal Himself to you along with other treasures from His Word, just as He did to these two men.
In a troubled and tumultuous world, stay focused on the Lord, the resurrected Lord of the harvest. He brings peace in the midst of it all.
Pray with me:
Father, we thank You for answering thousands of prayers regarding saving the two U.S. servicemen whose fighterjet was recently shot down in Iran. The serviceman who hid for two days was Your son, and our prayers were joining his. We are grateful for their lives being saved.
Now, we pray for our President and military leaders, asking for Your all-knowing wisdom to flow through them at this time; their decisions impact the future of millions of people. Remind them of their need for Your guidance, and that it flows to humble hearts. Remind them also that trusting in “horses and chariots” (Psalm 20:7) - even though ours is the greatest military in history - is a recipe for failure. And remind them that “many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the counsel of the Lord that will stand” (Proverbs 19:21).
Father, there is so much we need to hear from You. Jesus said Your words are spirit and life (John 6:63). Filled with revelation and wisdom, they give us the insights we need to succeed in life. Remind us, in these perilous times, to take the time and sup with You. As we walk with You, we know You will reveal Yourself to us. Help us all to remember that times with You are the most important in our lives.
Open our eyes, just as You did the two disciples on the road to Emmaus. We pray for one another the words of Paul found in Ephesians 1:17-20 (TPT):
“I pray that the Father of glory, the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, would impart to you the riches of the Spirit of wisdom and the Spirit of revelation to know Him through your deepening intimacy with Him… I pray that you will continually experience the immeasurable greatness of God’s power made available to you through faith. Then your lives will be an advertisement of this immense power as it works through you! This is the mighty power that was released when God raised Christ from the dead and exalted Him to the place of highest honor and supreme authority in the heavenly realm!”
Our decree:
We declare that our eyes are open to see You, our Savior and Lord.
Portions of today’s post were taken from my book, The Pleasure of His Company, published by Baker Books.
Click on the link below to watch the full video.