In recent weeks, tensions have risen in Israel, to the point that Hezbollah leader, Hassan Nasrallah issued a warning that Israel was about to be destroyed. Yet, nothing dramatic happened. Did everyone just take a chill pill, or perhaps was God at work bringing peace to the land, honoring the many prayers of Christians as we pray for the peace of Jerusalem? We may never know.

We know that Israel was not destroyed, and that there seems to be a lull in the action. A momentary ceasing of birth pangs, if you will.

It reminds me of Jesus pushing out into the Sea of Galilee with His disciples, only to have a huge storm come up. What did Jesus do in the midst of it? He slept in the stern of the boat while the sea raged around them. (Mark 4:35-41)

Jesus is always in the boat with us, and He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep! (Psalm 121) In moments it seems Israel’s “ship” might sink, remember the Jewish Messiah who came to redeem His own people.

Israel has faced times of trouble almost daily since their rebirth on May 14, 1948. Yom Ha’Atzmaut, Israel’s Independence Day, will be celebrated tomorrow, beginning at sundown. (Remember: Days according to the Hebrew [lunar] calendar begin at sundown, and the dates don’t align with our Gregorian calendar because the Jewish calendar is arranged on 30-day months.)

Ramadan, the Islamic holy month, ends today. It will be interesting to see what happens when Israel’s Independence Day and the Muslim’s holy month come to an end. Will the next birth pang arise?

When Jesus woke up during the storm, He simply said, “Peace. Be still,” and the wind and waves obeyed! Blessed friends, I believe He speaks peace over you and me in the midst of storms as well. Likewise, He will never slumber nor sleep when it comes to Israel! Stop to consider these truths.

1. As believers, we have absolutely nothing to fear! When the storms come, Jesus is in our boat and will either calm the storm or will calm His children in the midst of it.
2. Jesus has never taken His eyes off Israel! He doesn’t slumber nor sleep, but watches over His chosen land and people.
3. When the world is caught in a gigantic storm, we can rest assured He has not lost control. Though Satan has been given reign on earth, ultimately, Jesus will have the final say!

If you are worried or burdened today, my prayer for you is this:

²⁸ Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.

~Matthew 11:28-30

¹⁴ For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, ¹⁵ from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, ¹⁶ that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, ¹⁷ that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, ¹⁸ may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— ¹⁹ to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. ²⁰ Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, ²¹ to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

~Ephesians 3:18-20