Under the Wire

It was another eventful week for the war in Iran. U.S. President Donald Trump gave Iran a “final” deadline to make a deal before promising devastating attacks on the country’s infrastructure. Just before the deadline on Tuesday evening, the U.S. and Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire negotiated by Pakistan. The deal includes a short-term reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, and the stated goal of both countries is to reach a permanent deal over the next two weeks.

In the hours leading up to the ceasefire, Iran’s president called on the youth of Iran to form human chains around key power plants and bridges, and President Trump vowed to wipe out a “whole civilization” if a peace deal was not achieved.

Meanwhile, a U.S. F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jet was shot down over Iran, causing both crew members to eject behind enemy lines. The first was rescued within a few hours, and the second was rescued safely a day later after an extensive search-and-rescue mission.

Analysis and eternal perspective: Praise God for the safety of the two downed airmen. We rejoice with their families for their protection. We also continue to pray for those in the war zone, and for the leaders making wartime decisions. God, may you grant wisdom in these deliberations that determine life-or-death for so many, and may you soften hearts in a way that creates and enables a path to lasting peace. We will give you glory for the miracle of that outcome.

Amid the ugliness and loss of life that accompanies war, let’s you and I remain vigilant in our prayers for and pursuit of peace (Ps. 34:14). Let’s also reaffirm our resolve to pray for many to come to a saving knowledge of Jesus through this difficult time. War is so very ugly, but God’s saving grace is bigger than all of it!

“Your love, Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies. Your righteousness is like the highest mountains, your justice like the great deep. You, Lord, preserve both people and animals” (Ps. 36:5-6).