Hi friends! In the “in between” of Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday, I’m reminded of the “in between” of Jesus’ first appearance and His second. Current events seem to be object lessons of what the Bible tells us will fill that time, particularly as birth pangs increase.

Scripture is clear that God gave Abraham a very unique calling, and that his descendants (Israel) would be called upon to carry out the mission of being a blessing to the entire world. (Genesis 12:3) They gave us God’s Word, the prophets, the disciples, and our Messiah, the greatest blessing of all.

Because of that, Israel has faced (and will always face) strong opposition. Isaac’s half-brother, Ishmael, though not the promised son, was nonetheless given blessings, which were parlayed into what are today’s Arab nations. Most of them are mortal enemies of Israel, some wish to wipe Israel from the face of the earth, and several have tried.

Today, we are witnessing another build up by Israel’s enemies to make another great attempt. In recent days, rockets have been fired at Israel from the Gaza Strip, Lebanon, and Syria. It is suggested by some that Yemen may join the party, all led and instigated by Israel’s archenemy, Iran. Currently, intelligence experts tell us there are at least 250,000 rockets aimed at Israel, a nation the size of New Jersey.

Israel’s enemies are emboldened. Iran is fully in bed with Russia and the Middle East is lining up behind China. In recent months, China has undoubtedly displaced America as the world’s most sought-after world superpower. Brazil agreed to terms using the Chinese yuan as the currency of trade, the Chinese were successful in brokering a pseudo peace deal between Saudi Arabia and Yemen and seem to be drawing the UAE away from the Abraham Accords.

Internally, Israel is also facing turmoil. Even now, with Israel under attack, liberal lunatics hell bent on taking over the country choose to engage in political protests, requiring police and defense forces to allocate resources there rather than to the defense of the country.

Meanwhile, what is the US doing? Failing to take aggressive action when American bases and soldiers are blatantly attacked by Iranian drones, lecturing Israelis about political positions while refusing to invite Netanyahu to the White House and taking little to no action in attempts to bolster Israel’s ability to defend herself.

How much is the world missing the leadership of a strong American administration? Would Russia be running amok if the Trump administration was still in power? Would China be the world’s new financial and political “go to” nation? Would the Middle East be emboldened as they are now? Would NATO nation, Turkey, be bombing an American military convoy escorting a Kurdish ally?

The answer is, “We don’t know.” While it seems very unlikely we would see what we are seeing today with the likes of President Trump, Secretary of State Pompeo, and others in the administration, the fact is they are not in power, so we don’t know. And frankly, the focus is slightly off.

Yes, who is in political power makes a difference and we should fight with everything we’ve got to elect good, honest and righteous officials. But ultimately, there is no authority except that which is given by God, and at His discretion, He gives it and takes it away. (Romans 13:1)

So, during this “in between” in Biblical history, keep your eyes on Israel, God’s uniquely called land and people, and remember His faithfulness to her:

124 “If it had not been the Lord who was on our side,”
Let Israel now say—
² “If it had not been the Lord who was on our side,
When men rose up against us,
³ Then they would have swallowed us alive,
When their wrath was kindled against us;
⁴ Then the waters would have overwhelmed us,
The stream would have gone over our soul;
⁵ Then the swollen waters
Would have gone over our soul.”

⁶ Blessed be the Lord,
Who has not given us as prey to their teeth.
⁷ Our soul has escaped as a bird from the snare of the fowlers;
The snare is broken, and we have escaped.
⁸ Our help is in the name of the Lord,
Who made heaven and earth.

~Psalm 124