As Israel has begun their ground invasion of Gaza, they are encountering many horrific obstacles. The Israeli troops are forced to fight Hamas on their own turf. The challenge of gun battles in the congested alleys and streets of Gaza, and the vast terrorist tunnels under Gaza (see photo), are a great challenge. Mines and booby traps are in place to kill many Israeli troops. The IDF will have a difficult time instantly identifying their targets as the civilians in Gaza will be used as shields to protect the Hamas terrorists.
Please join me in prayer that the Lord would reveal His presence and power to the IDF forces in Gaza. Also, please join me in praying that the Lord will be greatly glorified by the outcome of this war. Let us claim the promise that the Lord has given to His chosen people in Isaiah 41:8-12, “But thou, Israel, art my servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the seed of Abraham my friend. Thou whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, and called thee from the chief men thereof, and said unto thee, Thou art my servant; I have chosen thee, and not cast thee away. Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. Behold, all they that were incensed against thee shall be ashamed and confounded: they shall be as nothing; and they that strive with thee shall perish. Thou shalt seek them, and shalt not find them, even them that contended with thee: they that war against thee shall be as nothing, and as a thing of nought.”
Let us pray that the nations will see the hand of God in this war. May they see and hear about His defense of His people, and His eternal plan for Israel’s ultimate redemption. Many times, in the past, the Jewish people faced an existential threat as they do at this present hour. Pray that their leaders and people will pray the prayer of Israel’s King Hezekiah as he called out to God to destroy the powerful Assyrian army that was surrounding Jerusalem to annihilate the people and to destroy the city and temple. The Assyrian army, like Hamas, was a barbaric enemy. They slaughtered their enemies and decapitated them, piling up their skulls in a heap at the city gate. Listen to what Hezekiah asked God to do, “Now therefore, O Lord our God, I beseech thee, save thou us out of his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that thou art the Lord God, even thou only” (2 Kings 19:19). God answered his prayer. The night before the Assyrians were to attack, the angel of the Lord (the pre-incarnate Lord Jesus) went throughout the Assyrian camp and killed 185,000 warriors during the night. The surviving remnant packed up and quietly went home to Assyria.
Speaking of Israel, God has declared, “This people have I formed for myself: they shall show forth my praise” (Isaiah 43:21). With the eyes of the entire world upon Israel in Gaza, may He display His glory for all to see!