It reminds me of a story I love which takes place after Jesus’ resurrection. Two disciples were on their way to the town of Emmaus, fretting as they talked over the death of Jesus and the subsequent disappearance of His body. Jesus walked up beside them and joined their journey, but they didn’t recognize Him. At His prompting, they poured out their woes to this man they thought to be a stranger. In response, Jesus said, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory?” (Luke 24:25-26) Then, going back to the Torah and to the prophets, Jesus opened their eyes to what was really going on. They were bogged down in the circumstances; Jesus showed them the big picture. The Lord suffered, but it was all part of a glorious plan that the Father had laid out before the beginning of time. We may suffer blows on this earth, but Jesus is alive and is coming soon. That is our awaited hope and source of joy amid a world that continues to grow darker.
There is nothing wrong with being frustrated and discouraged at many of the results of Tuesday’s election. However, we can’t forget that we are just looking at the trees. The forest of God’s plan is still intact, and the fulfillment of the prophecies surrounding the coming Day of the Lord grow closer with every election cycle. We must never weary in doing good. Continue to pray, continue to fulfill the duties of your dual citizenship – your earthly and your heavenly – and trust God with all the parts that are above your spiritual paygrade. No matter which way the votes go, He will never let us down.
Israel Prepares for a New Government
Israel’s certified election results were presented to President Isaac Herzog yesterday, who will task Benjamin Netanyahu in the next few days to form a new government. According to the Israeli media, the two most pressing issues that the returning prime minister must address are attacking Iran’s nuclear sites and continuing the peace process with Saudi Arabia. Netanyahu has experience with both. A piece of good news for the incoming PM is the discovery by Energean PLC of 13 billion cubic meters of commercial natural gas in the Olympus area off Israel’s shores. Also in the Olympus area, the company has realized another 3.75 billion cubic meters in its Athena site.
Russia Threatens Israel
Bloomberg News reported that Moscow has reiterated a threat toward Israel it had made prior to the elections. If Israel provides defensive weapons to Ukraine or if their missile interceptors arrive through a third country, Russia will retaliate. Last month, President Dmitry Medvedev said that Israeli interference would “destroy all diplomatic relations” between the two countries.
Russia Withdraws from Kherson while Kyiv Prepares to Evacuate its Citizens
In a blow to their morale and reputation, Russia is withdrawing from the city of Kherson. However, the commander of Russian forces in Ukraine, General Sergey Surovikin, is very experienced and knows what he is doing. For him, attacking critical infrastructure facilities before the winter and abusing the civilian population will do a much better job at breaking Ukraine down than will sacrificing his own soldiers. These are the same type of ruthless tactics he employed in Syria. Meanwhile, in Ukraine, the capital city of Kyiv is planning for total evacuation of its three million residents should the electricity grid fail. “If there’s no power, there will be no water and no sewage. That’s why currently the government and city administration is taking all possible measures to protect our power supply system,” said Roman Tkachuk, the director of security for the Kyiv municipal government. The city is also creating 1,000 heating centers should they become necessary.
Iran Seeks Russian Help for Nuclear Program
US intelligence officials believe that Iran is seeking help from Russia to bolster its nuclear weapons program – a program Tehran insists does not exist. The barter with Moscow involves Iran providing weapons for Russia’s war with Ukraine, while in return the Islamist regime will receive nuclear materials and assistance in nuclear fuel fabrication.
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