We are facing unprecedented tragic events throughout the world these days. There seems to be a domino effect and an evil undercurrent that could well lead to perilous times in the near future.
In my opinion, the best way to address this continuum is to recognize the true identity of the enemy behind it all.
Certainly, Hamas, Hezbollah and Iran are the instigators, but the real Enemy is Satan. And, all these factions sadly follow His evil desires whether they know it or not.
Ever since Adam and Eve were escorted out of the Garden of Eden, spiritual warfare has been running rampant.
The first unprovoked act of violence is found in Genesis 4:8: “Now Cain said to his brother Abel, ‘Let’s go out to the field.’ And while they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him.”
We’ve been killing each other ever since.
I suspect no race has been hated more vehemently than the Israelites. Perhaps jealousy stems from their special relationship with the God of the Universe.
Radical Islam has once again taken that hatred to an untenable level with the barbaric Oct. 7 attack on innocent Israelis, and I can understand Israel’s natural response. They fear no end to their enemy’s insatiable desire to exterminate their race.
Likewise, I imagine Israel senses the need to obliterate their foes who hide in tunnels and behind the remaining hostages taken during the cowardly Hamas attack.
I doubt God is pleased with any of this, but no peaceful solution seems likely.
Let’s get back to this spiritual battle that continues all around us. Since before the beginning of time as we know it, Satan and the many fallen angels who rebeled against God have been warring against God’s angelic host for the souls of humankind.
That’s the real battle that takes place every day here on earth. God brought His Light into this darkened world 2,000 years ago so all might experience a right relationship with Him. Let’s take a closer look at God’s chosen people.
Biblical history presents God’s Chosen as a stubborn lot who often distanced themselves from their Heavenly Father.
The Book of Judges offers a 400-year study in obedience followed by disobedience again and again.
During those periods of disobedience, God would allow their enemies to disrupt their very lives until a new Judge would lead them in repentance and bring them back to God once again.
Let’s turn to the Book of Psalms to see repentance in action in the life of King David.
As explained in Psalm 51:4, “Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are proved right when you speak and justified when you judge.”
This Psalm deals with King David’s sin against Uriah, the husband of Bathsheba , and his adulterous actions when confronted by the prophet Nathan. To his credit, King David was quick to repent and ask for God’s forgiveness.
In 2 Chronicles 7, God appears to King Solomon at night and lets him know He has heard his prayers.
Verse 14 is read annually at our National Day of Prayer: “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
That’s what we need — His Healing Hand.
We are a disobedient people, not deserving of His forgiveness. Yet, God sent His only Son to die for our sins.
We must simply admit our sinful ways, ask His forgiveness and trust Him this day forward.