Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May they prosper who love you.
May peace be within your walls, And prosperity within your palaces.
For the sake of my brothers and my friends, I will now say, “May peace be within you.”
For the sake of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek your good.
~Psalm 122:6-9

Terror has once again broken out in Jerusalem and in the West Bank.  Targeted terror.  Intentional terror.  Ruthless terror. For the second and third times in a week, Palestinian terrorists have driven their vehicles into crowds of predominately Jewish people in acts of sheer terrorism.

At least one person, an Israeli Border Police officer, was killed yesterday when a vehicle driven by a 38-year-old Palestinian man plowed into a crowd of people.  The driver then got out of his car with an iron bar and began attacking people and vehicles.  At least 13 others were injured and the driver of the vehicle was shot dead at the scene by a police officer.  The man was identified as a “low-ranking Hamas member” whose family has a history of terrorist activity.  That family is “proud” of the attack and the terrorist’s “martyrdom.”

Later in the day, three IDF soldiers were injured when a Palestinian-driven vehicle crashed into them near Bethlehem.  The vehicle fled the scene and was later found in the West Bank, minus the driver.

Hamas praised the attacks and called for more violence, causing Israeli officials to hold Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas responsible for his part in inciting violence.

Meanwhile, Palestinians are up in arms because Israeli security forces on Temple Mount entered al-Aqsa mosque to squelch a rock-throwing tirade by Palestinians.  Temple Mount is occupied by Muslims, but under the security of Israel.

In the midst of it all, the United Nations is totally silent in the wake of three deadly terror attacks within the past week, perpetrated by Palestinians.  They are, however, pandering the Palestinian’s proposal for statehood, despite the terror that continues to emanate from Palestinian territories.

On another front, John Kerry (US Secretary of State) says he is “driving toward finish” on a nuclear deal with Iran.  To that end, the Obama administration confirms that Iran has been offered a “framework to re-enter the international community” which likely includes an ill-advised deal to ship Iranian uranium to Russia for conversion to fuel rods.  John Kerry longs to be the hero in accomplishing something in the Middle East, and it is anyone’s guess how far off-course President Obama’s foreign policy may take the US in the remainder of his term.

But here is news to hang on to:  While the world seems to shake all around us, followers of Jesus have a firm foundation!

We thank you, O God!
We give thanks because you are near.
People everywhere tell of your wonderful deeds.
God says, “At the time I have planned,
I will bring justice against the wicked.
When the earth quakes and its people live in turmoil,
I am the one who keeps its foundations firm.
~Psalm 75:1-3 (NLT)

Let’s give thanks, for indeed our God is near!

Blessings!