On the 23^rd of September 2011, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas submitted a formal request to the United Nations to recognize an independent state of Palestine.  The proposal was then handed over to the UN Security Council, where it is currently being debated and will likely not be accepted due to a veto by the United States.  These events have caused uncertainty and speculation as Israelis consider the future and the implications of the Palestinian move.  Most believe that it will be harmful to the peace process, though the Palestinians have rejected Israeli and international offers to return to negotiations.   With relations between Israel and the Palestinians at another low point, increasing Turkish belligerence, doubt over relations with Egypt, and the Iranian nuclear program it can be difficult to think about the future and have any hope for peace in this world. Our only peace is in God alone; the Prince of Peace –Yeshua the Messiah!
“For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation,”- Ephesians 2:14
          Lost in the midst of the Palestinian bid was the convening of the Durban III Conference, whose prior meetings have been used to denounce Israel and Zionism.  To put it mildly, it has served as a platform to demonize Israel and spread anti-Semitic libel against God’s chosen people and nation.  This year the lies continued to be propagated from the halls of the United Nations.
          In the midst of these daunting challenges and in the face of these lies, a question confronts us as believers in Messiah:  How are we to respond?  It would be easy to view the current situation in despair or to become angry.  Yet, as followers of Messiah, we are encouraged to rejoice in the face of hardship.  Scripture is full of God’s encouragement that he is with us in our darkest moments and that we will prevail.  King David wrote Psalm 129:2 “let Israel now say- often they have attacked me from my youth, yet they have not prevailed against me.” Nor are we to cease loving our neighbor, as Yeshua commands us to love our enemies and pray for those that persecute us.
          Please continue to pray for the safety of Israel, and that believers in the land would be peacemakers; demonstrating the love of Messiah to Jew and Arab alike!

“But the LORD is with me like a mighty warrior; so my persecutors will stumble and not prevail.  They will fail and be thoroughly disgraced; their dishonor will never be forgotten.” Jeremiah 20:11