“Implementation Day” has arrived, and international sanctions on Iran have been lifted.  Following the landmark nuclear deal between Iran and the P5+1 in July, details of the deal required Iran to meet certain stipulations such as shipping its enriched uranium outside the country, discontinuing use of many of its centrifuges, and disabling its plutonium-producing Arak nuclear reactor.  Yesterday, an IAEA official announced, “Iran has carried out all measures required under the (July deal) to enable Implementation Day (of the deal) to occur.”

Secretary of State John Kerry’s response: “Today marks the start of a safer world.”  Let’s hope he is right, despite the fact that Iran has recently violated UN sanctions by test-firing ballistic missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads.  Ultimately, however, Iran has made its intentions clear…they wish to destroy the “Little Satan” (Israel) and then the “Great Satan” (United States).  Hard to see how we have a safer world when Iran has two paths to a nuclear bomb…cheat on the agreement, or wait a few years until the deal expires, then have no hindrance to the development of a full-blown nuclear arsenal.

Meanwhile, in a surprising move, Iran agreed to a prisoner swap in which they released 5 Americans.  However,  not without the US offering clemency to seven Iranians charged or imprisoned for sanctions violations, and dismissing charges against 14 other Iranians outside the United States.  While we get back relatively innocent Americans, we hand over 21 known Iranian criminals!  Thus, Iran once again takes the upper hand in negotiations with the US.

On a positive note, however, one of those Americans released is Pastor Saeed Abedini, a Christian pastor arrested in July 2012 for organizing home churches.  Both the ACLJ and Franklin Graham led prayer efforts for the release of Pastor Abedini, and many of us joined that effort.  Let’s rejoice…the Lord has honored our prayers!  Continue to pray for the Abedini’s as they face other significant challenges.

In a world spinning out of control, we serve a mighty God who is sovereign and fully in control.  He hears our prayers and longs to hear from us.  It’s a year of prayer, so let’s keep at it!

Meet you at the foot of the throne!