Shocking news continues to flow out of Israel in the aftermath of the brutal Hamas terrorist attack. Many of the images and videos coming out of Israel are beyond gut-wrenching. In fact, they are evidence of sheer evil.

A few days ago, I learned of the murder of a Messianic soldier, and it hit close to my heart. The young man you see in the photo is David Ratner, believed to be the first Messianic Jewish soldier killed in the war with Hamas. A member of the 13th Golani Battalion, he was killed while trying to protect his base from terrorists who had infiltrated.

What makes this hit so close to heart for me is that this young man was active in Beit Hallel congregation in Ashdod. Beit Hallel is pastored by Israel Pochtar, one of the two pastors featured a couple days ago who are jointly providing humanitarian aid to displaced Israelis. I have met Pastor Israel and I know the love he has for his congregation. No doubt this is heartbreaking for him and his congregation.

Elsewhere, another pastor, his wife and part of his congregation fled from Sderot (on the Gaza border) to Jerusalem for safety. Having heard terrorists killing people right outside their house, they chose for the first time ever to flee their city. Listen to their story:

As you know, our tour group was scheduled to travel to Israel today. Instead, our group received a report from our guide regarding his duty as a reservists in the IDF. He is a Messianic pastor and ministry leader to Bedouins (Arab nomads) in Israel, and his assignment is to notify grieving Israeli families of the loss of their loved ones. Over 50 times he has made trips to homes of the hurting, and his assignment has only begun. Over the next few days (perhaps longer), he will make dozens more house calls. He is also following up with those families as they grieve. Please pray for Yoyakim as he faithfully fulfills his duty as the hands and feet of Jesus.

Finally, some “feel good” news…Christians filled Ben Gurion Airport with prayer the day after the attack! Many, having just concluded the joyous Feast of Tabernacles celebration, arrived at the airport to find that most of their flights were cancelled or delayed. Rather than complain, they decided to do something different. They banded together, hand-in-hand, to pray aloud right in the middle of the large atrium at the center of the beautiful Ben Gurion Airport!

Dear friends, life ended way too soon for that Messianic soldier, and death drew oh so close to Pastor Michael Beener and his wife, Dinah. But each of them have the hope of Jesus! Though fear rages on all sides, they are assured by virtue of the blood of Jesus Christ that they will spend eternity in heaven.

Our days are just as fragile as theirs. Where will you spend eternity if death knocks at your door? Do you have a relationship with Jesus Christ who was crucified for your sins and rose again on the third day so that you might have life? If not, just as those Christians in the airport talked with God, you can too. You can invite Jesus to save you and be the Lord of your life. He will do that!