Hi all,
With the direct attacks by Iran on Israel, we wonder how close we are getting to the war of Ezekiel 38 and 39. In that war, Russia is the leader, with allies named: Persia (Iran, Iraq), Turkey, Sudan/Ethiopia, Libya. What we see going on right now, is not that.
Ezekiel also states Israel will have her allies joining in their fight against the above nations. Ezekiel says it is a ground and air war. Chapter 39 says there will be so many enemy dead enemy in northern Israel that it will take 7 months to bury them. Current happenings are not that. The stage sure is being set though! Israel and her allies jointly repelled Iran’s attack.
If anything, this will show Iran, in their thinking, that it will take a massive ‘knock out blow’ to take on Israel and her allies. This is why this attack was important to setting the stage.
Ezekiel 38’s opening description is that Russia will have a hook in its jaws drawing it back into the Middle East. When we start to see that hook being set, which will be seeing that alliance taking place, then it will be soon. What this current exchange will show is the Iran is no match for Israel and its allies, and will cause it to develop a ‘next time’ that they will think will be unstoppable.
Who do we wrestle with?
When I was a newly born again teenager and just getting to know the Father and Lord. I told my mom that having faith means you could have a smooth life. She told me I needed to grow up, get a job, get married, have bills to pay and mouths to feed, then get back with her on it.
Mom was right!
I’ve learned a lot since my teen years. Having walked with the Father about 50 years now, I can say that struggles in life are the norm, having periods of peace and calm are in between.
The real issues aren’t the devil like some spiritual force always lined up against us. We have Christ in us and the authority to use the most powerful name in the universe against demons.
“I” is the issue. “I”, meaning self, is the issue. In Genesis 32: 24-30 Jacob, which means ‘deceiver’ or ‘one who supplants’, wrestled with the Lord. All night long they wrestled, and it had a very important heavenly purpose.
The deceiver wrestled with God until his nature changed. The Lord acknowledged that fact by changing his name from Jacob to Israel.
Israel means “God strives” or “God persists” or “God perseveres”.
Maybe you’ve heard sermons about Jacob wrestling with God, with himself, to go from ‘deceiver’ to ‘Israel’ – I have, and it’s always from earth’s perspective. The messages are always about how Jacob wrestled with God, and had his nature changed.
From earth’s perspective it was Jacob wrestling with God. But the name given him, Israel, or “God persists”, indicates it is actually God wrestling with him! Every time we say ‘Israel’ we are saying “God persists”. I know that is true in my life – God persists with me. God perseveres with me. He stays with me even when I sin. Even in the valleys, even in the high places. God always persists. Do you love Israel? (Do you love ‘God persists’?) YES!
Jesus is the one in Matthew 18: 11-15 who leaves the 99 to go after the 1 who went astray into the wilderness. That is part of His wrestling, His efforts to chase down the lost and bring them back to Himself. While they wander, He pursues, He persists in His effort towards us.
There is a good song by the group ‘We the Kingdom’ called “Dancing on the Waves”, that has a lyric with the Lord saying: “I’m reaching out. I’ll chase you down. I dare you to believe how much I love you now. Don’t be afraid…”
While we wrestle with ourselves, it is really the Lord wrestling with us, refining us, persistent in His efforts to grow us in Him. If it was merely us, what power do we have to change our nature? No, it is God wrestling with us as we wrestle within ourselves, to change in Christ.
Whatever we are facing, God persists in growing us in Him
Jesus said to Peter in Luke 22: 31-32: “Peter, Peter, Satan has desired to sift you like wheat. But I have prayed for you that your faith not fail. And when you have turned back, that you would strengthen your brethren.”
Satan sifts, but Jesus is our advocate putting limits to what he can do, and persists in godly transformations in our life. Israel – God persists, God perseveres. That’s enough to just stop and say; “Thank you Lord for persevering in my life!”
As we wrestle with principalities and powers, God wrestles with us – persistent (Israel) in a faithfulness that will never end. Amazing Grace. In the ages to come the Father will continue to show the riches of His kindness towards us in Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 2: 7)
We are very excited for our Tulsa gathering June 28-30! There is still room for you! It is very informal, relaxed, and a good place for us to meet you and you meet us, and many others in the CWOWI network. Registration link is on our Weekly Thoughts and here.
KWOWI – We now have 265 children sponsored in Kenya and Uganda, and are working hard to develop ways for sponsors to communicate with their children. Connections for Skype or Messenger audio/video are often challenging, but we thank you for your patience. Mail is slow and any gift is heavily taxed in Uganda and Kenya. In the past when I’ve sent CDs and books, they are required to pay more than an average month’s pay for them just to get them released from the government and postal service.
CLICK TO VIEW THE UGANDA EASTER CELEBRATION
Barb and I, Brian and Amy, SO appreciate your prayers and support.
Thank you!
