Sound The Trumpet : Darker and Darker

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“Darker and Darker”
by Art Sadlier
February 1st, 2011

Just when Israel’s situation seems as dark as it can get, new clouds appear on the horizon. The possibility of a Hezbollah takeover in Lebanon is now a real danger. Lebanese Druze leader Walid Jumblatt said that he would throw his party's support behind Hezbollah, as factions in Lebanon scrambled to build a new coalition government.

Hezbollah and its supporters currently number 57 of the 128 members of the Lebanese parliament, only 8 short of the 65 needed to elect a new prime minister. If all 11 members of Jumblatt's party follow their leader's track, a Hezbollah-backed candidate would indeed be selected as the country's new prime minister. (As I write this, the report has come in that Hezbollah has indeed chosen the next Prime Minister, effectively taking over the country).

Israeli Deputy Prime Minister, Silvan Shalom, expressed grave concern Saturday over the real possibility of an Iranian-controlled Hezbollah regime taking control in Lebanon in the coming weeks. Hezbollah “will no longer be merely a terrorist group operating with Iran's backing, but a terrorist group in control of the country,” Lebanon will in fact become Iranian territory. Israel’s greatest enemy will have a base right on her northern border.

In another news item we read, “Less than 24 hours after the breakdown of its nuclear dialogue with the six world powers in Istanbul, Iran announced plans Sunday, Jan. 23, to send a fleet of warships, including a home-made destroyer, on operational and intelligence-gathering missions to the Red Sea and on to the Mediterranean through the Suez Canal. Parts of the fleet will in fact be deployed in the three waters around Israel's southern and western shores.” Iran is determined to destroy Israel, and she continues to work furiously to develop a nuclear bomb to do it. Iran is not about to let the nations dissuade her from her purpose.

In Israel’s long history there have been times without number when Israel’s situation has appeared to be beyond hopeless. God has seemingly, delighted to place Israel’s back to the wall and then to demonstrate His power and grace in delivering her. That very scenario has played out in Israel’s three major wars since 1948. And that same scenario will unfold in the three wars that Israel is prophesied to yet face. I think that Israel’s enemies ought to tremble when think they have Israel in a hopeless situation.

Remember when the Philistines were as the sand on the sea shore for number and Gideon had 300 men with only a lamp and a trumpet. The route of the Philistines was total. Remember when the same Philistines with the same numerical advantage came against Israel again. One man, Jonathon, with a sword and his armour bearer utterly defeated them again.

We read in Ezekiel 39 about a future battle in which Israel will be on the brink of destruction. God will once again intervene on behalf of His people Israel. We read in Ezekiel 39:3-4 about God’s intervention, “And I will smite thy bow out of thy left hand, and will cause thine arrows to fall out of thy right hand. Thou shalt fall upon the mountains of Israel, thou, and all thy bands, and the people that is with thee: I will give thee unto the ravenous birds of every sort, and to the beasts of the field to be devoured.”

We see God’s purpose in His intervention on behalf of Israel. Verse 7, “So will I make my holy name known in the midst of my people Israel....” We need not despair for Israel no matter how dark the situation seems to be. God will fulfill His promises to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. God will also win their hearts back to Himself.

Some day Zechariah 13: 8-9 will be fulfilled. “And it shall come to pass, that in all the land, saith the LORD, two parts therein shall be cut off and die; but the third shall be left therein. And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The LORD is my God.”

I remind you believer that God has pledged Himself to you, He has promised to preserve you and bring you into His presence, and bless you forever. When the clouds come into your life, remember that God is behind the clouds and He will work out His purpose and bless you out of that situation. He has designed that situation to glorify His great name through you. Rejoice in the Lord.

Looking for His glorious appearing! Titus 2:13