Monday, November 19, 2012

The Situation In Israel.


Israel is under attack constantly. I cannot blame them for finally having enough and deciding to strike back. I know  Christian getting angry that the United States is not getting more involved. I pray for our nation that we will always stand behind the Nation of Israel and take a stand to help protect them.

Should we be praying for war though?

I hear many Prayers going out for Israel and victory over their Muslim opposition. Many of these prayers are more like war cries. I’ve heard people pray for death of leaders. I’ve heard people praying for Gods wrath over those attacking Israel. With every missile that hits a target in Gaza, and people with no choice at being there are being killed. Lets face the facts, the majority of people on both sides are only there because they happen to be placed there at birth. They are on the side they stand with by default. I have a feeling if we went and asked both the civilians on both sides, they would rather peace than to see more of their loved ones killed in cross fire.

So I ask the age old question, what would Jesus do?

I am instantly brought to scripture when Jesus was being taken captive. I do not picture these Roman Soldier being gentle with Jesus. I am picturing them giving him an old style jail house beatdown as they bound the hands of our Savior behind his back. Jesus was violently removed that morning by armed soldiers of the evil empire of the time. He was being delivered into the hands of non believers to answer to crimes he did not commit. 

Luke 22:49-52

49 When Jesus’ followers saw what was going to happen, they said, “Lord, should we strike with our swords?” 50 And one of them struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear.

51 But Jesus answered, “No more of this!” And he touched the man’s ear and healed him.

52 Then Jesus said to the chief priests, the officers of the temple guard, and the elders, who had come for him, “Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come with swords and clubs? 53 Every day I was with you in the temple courts, and you did not lay a hand on me. But this is your hour—when darkness reigns.”

It is my belief that as Christians, we should always be seeking peace. I believe praying to Jesus for victory in war is the biggest Oxy-Moron. Jesus speaks more about peace and turning the other cheek in the Bible more than anything else. He taught us to pray for our enemies. We should be turning to God to ask for wholeness of these people.

It is our natural instinct to view all the people under one umbrella. X nation is against Israel so all people must be evil that live there. This just cannot be true. They had no choice where they were born, God placed their souls in the bodies. I do not believe God is not trying to touch the hearts of those very people during conflict any less than he is speaking to our hearts.

Praying for war and death of a people is the most Anti-Christian thing I can think of. If United States is a Christian Nation, then us Christians in this nation should be displaying the heart of God. I say pray for the enemy. I say we should only be putting forth words of peace and love. While I would never stand in the way of our Government acting to protect the Nation of Israel, the last thing I would ask God for is death of an entire group of people.