Good morning friends! As I sit in our weekly staff meeting, the news has come that the body of the last Israeli hostage, Ran Gvili, has been brought back to Israel. As a staff, we are rejoicing over this news, yet praying for that family during this bittersweet moment.

This is day 843, the final day of the hostage crisis. This is a celebratory day in Israel, though things remain tense in the region. Ran’s body was found in a mass grave, among 250 bodies of dead Palestinians, a stark reminder of the disregard of life in the Gaza Strip. Conversely, going through and identifying those bodies reminds us of Israel’s unrelentless commitment to life, and their honor of even the dead. God, in His Word, says, I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live. (Deuteronomy 30:19) Israel chooses life.

Also, in a statement to the press, Ran’s mother reminded us of the character of her son, stating that he was among the first in, and the very last out. As a police officer also trained in special ops, he was among those who initially went into Gaza. From all indications, Ran was a great servant. Being the last out seems to confirm his giving of himself so that others might benefit. God bless this soldier, and may his memory be a blessing and an example to us all.

We also turn our prayers toward Iran and the massacres occurring there. We pray for salvation to come to the Persian people of Iran.

Will you join us in prayer for Israel’s healing now that all hostages are home? Also, please pray for the people of Iran, living under tyranny we cannot even conceive here in the west. Remember, there is a distinct difference between the Iranian (Persian) people and the Iranian regime. The largest revival on earth is taking place in Iran. Think of the impact that could occur if the Iranian regime is overthrown and Christians can go into Iran to harvest the fruit! Please pray for that!

Blessings on your day!