Photo credits www.skeptoid.com

Psalm 83:1-5
“O God, do not be silent! Do not ignore us! Do not be inactive, O God! 2 For look, your enemies are making a commotion; those who hate You are hostile. 3 They carefully plot against Your people, and make plans to harm the ones you cherish. 4 They say, “Come on, let’s annihilate them so they are no longer a nation! Then the name of Israel will be remembered no more. Yes, they devise a unified strategy; they form an alliance against you.”

My heart is grieved at the horror and atrocities being committed now by the hands of wicked men who slaughter innocent children. And why? Because they believe in Jesus. Simultaneously, Israelites are murdered with a hope of completely wiping them off the face of the earth. And why? Because they believe in One God. Such hatred – who is behind it all? The same enemy of our souls from the very beginning does his bidding through these men who claim to be radical Islamic Sunnis doing god’s holy calling. Really? Who are they really hating? God Himself.

This is nothing new underneath the sun. Mankind has been subjugating and persecuting one another since the beginning. From the first offspring – Cain who killed his own flesh and blood over jealousy – to nations trying to kill Israel and Christians for thousands of years. We have come so far, or so we thought we had. A holocaust could not happen again, could it? Symbols painted on doors sounds familiar. Witnesses of the Holocaust in WWII had hoped we learned a lesson from that time and that we would not repeat history, but these things are destined to occur.

Scripture is replete with prophesies – it is going to get worse, not better. So what are we to do? Cry out! Who knows if we might have yet another revival? Who knows if God will grant victory? God is sovereign and already knows the end, but we who are here at this place and time are here for a reason – not just to be bystanders shaking our heads, but to pray on the behalf of those who are being killed and persecuted ruthlessly. We cannot stand by and be idle. We cannot bury our head in the sand. We must stand with our persecuted brethren. God forbid that such atrocities should visit the USA, but I fear that time is imminent. For such a time as this, may we be faithful and fervent. For such a time as this may we boldly proclaim Christ and not shrink back. For such a time as this may we pray continually. El Roi – God sees. All.

Although it is hard as a human being to not think or ourselves, ultimately this hate is all toward God, and we are His representatives. They hated Him, they hate us. They might win a battle, but God has already won the war.

Oh God, most Holy, Sovereign Lord – You know all, and You see the crimes committed against Your children – the apple of Your eye. You see their tears and count each one. You are not far off, but are ever-present, enabling those who are suffering. Please help them, God! Hide them in the cleft of the rock – place a hedge of protection around them and show Yourself as their strong Deliverer. Act on the behalf of Christians and Jews and defeat our enemies – all for Your glory!