The Christian Broadcasting Network (“CBN”) is reporting that Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said that the Israel Defense Forces (“IDF”) campaign is succeeding, with the IDF “advancing to every [necessary] location” and that Hamas “has lost control of Gaza. Terrorists are fleeing south, civilians are looting Hamas bases, and they have no confidence in their government.”
The IDF has captured much of Hamas’ infrastructure, including its parliament, where Israeli soldiers took a picture with Israeli flags inside the building.
The CBN report may be read HERE.
CNN is also reporting in this matter. The CNN report may be read HERE.
DISCLAIMER – The following contains political commentary.
My brothers and sisters, without belaboring the point, there seems to be plenty of reason, including direct evidence, to substantiate that Hamas is the party in this conflict committing “war crimes” (as if that should even have to be said following the events of October 7, 2023).
Persons across the globe are asserting in protests and social media commentary that Israel is wantonly attacking innocents and hospitals – implying that there is no Hamas use of human shields and hospitals as cover for terrorist operations. It begs the question as to how many of these stated objections concerning Israel and the IDF actually fall into the category of “intellectual dishonesty” in order to push forward a favored ideological and/or spiritual position.
I implore Christians to pray and listen to what God says to our hearts, so that THE TRUTH would be known, instead of moving on emotions and indwelt bias from our own lives.
If you believe that a war can be fought, no matter how carefully, without inadvertently injuring or killing one civilian, then war is no longer an option and you probably don’t really understand the nature of war.
Until Jesus returns, without at least maintaining a military deterrent against pariah dictators and evil militant groups (e.g., Hamas, Hezbollah), freedom-loving countries worldwide would simply have to fold like a deck of cards whenever evil tries to take over.
Not dissimilar to Hamas and Hezbollah’s views, there are evil leaders in countries such as North Korea, Russia, Iran (and others from the past) who do not care how many of their own citizens need to die, let alone other countries’ citizens, in order to establish their totalitarian ideologies. These organizations and leaders seek power and control, and are not typically dissuaded by anything other than force or the threat of force.
Fighting a war in any manner other than to WIN is a fool’s errand, meaning that the war probably shouldn’t have even been initiated. Claiming to be upset about one group of persons’ suffering while supporting or actually performing the same acts upon another group of persons is not godly wisdom – it is of the world and is evil. It is a lie. It is untruth. It is the casualty of our times.
We consider ourselves to be highly enlightened, yet have we first sought the truth in prayer, scriptures and by the witness of the Holy Spirit? As I’ve mentioned in past messages (and I stand by it):
“Intellectual dishonesty couched in plausible deniability may sooth the liar’s soul, but it’s not the truth!”
If you are willing, let’s pray. Father, we seek You and You alone for the truth in the matters of our hearts and intentions. May You grant us all necessary wisdom to discern Your will, the knowledge of the truth in all matters, and a softened heart to see all persons as You see us – as children made in Your image – so that we would have genuine compassion, even upon our enemies. In trying times such as this, no matter the circumstances, no matter how many times we’ve messed up, help us to always remember that there is only one place for us to run – STRAIGHT INTO THE ARMS OF JESUS! Father, we give You all the praise, honor and glory, and ask these things in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Some scripture to consider:
Psalm 119:160 (NKJV)
“The entirety of Your word is truth, [a]nd every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever.”
2 Timothy 3:16 (ESV)
“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness…”.
Isaiah 5:20 (NKJV)
“Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; [w]ho put darkness for light, and light for darkness; [w]ho put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!”
Proverbs 12:22 (NKJV)
“Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, [b]ut those who deal truthfully are His delight.”
John 10:10 (NKJV)
“The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I [Jesus] have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”
Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV)
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, [a]nd lean not on your own understanding; [i]n all your ways acknowledge Him, [a]nd He shall direct your paths.”
1 Corinthians 3:19 (NLT)
“For the wisdom of this world is foolishness to God. As the Scriptures say, ‘He traps the wise in the snare of their own cleverness.'”
Proverbs 24:16-17 (Amplified Bible)
“For a righteous man falls seven times, and rises again, [b]ut the wicked stumble in time of disaster and collapse. Do not rejoice and gloat when your enemy falls, [a]nd do not let your heart be glad [in self-righteousness] when he stumbles…”.
And this scripture seems to speak very strongly in our current circumstances:
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 (Amplified Bible)
A Time for Everything
“There is a season (a time appointed) for everything and a time for every delight and event or purpose under heaven—[a] time to be born and a time to die; [a] time to plant and a time to uproot what is planted. A time to kill and a time to heal; [a] time to tear down and a time to build up. A time to weep and a time to laugh; [a] time to mourn and a time to dance. A time to throw away stones and a time to gather stones; [a] time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing. A time to search and a time to give up as lost; [a] time to keep and a time to throw away. A time to tear apart and a time to sew together; [a] time to keep silent and a time to speak. A time to love and a time to hate; [a] time for war and a time for peace [emphasis mine].”
Praise Jesus forevermore!