Tentative Hope
Representatives from Israel and Hamas are in Egypt to discuss implementation details of a 20-point peace plan. Both sides have tentatively agreed to large portions of the plan, but implementation may be the most difficult part of securing a firm and lasting peace, and there remains a large number of issues—including the political future of Hamas—yet to be resolved. Negotiators on both sides are aiming to accomplish a ceasefire and a hostage/prisoner swap as the first step while the larger negotiations continue.
Meanwhile, vigils were held around the world to commemorate the two-year anniversary of the Hamas attack on Israel that began the current war, and to pray for the remaining hostages. There are believed to be 20 living hostages still held in Gaza, and an additional 28 deceased hostages whose remains have not yet been released.
Analysis and eternal perspective: Two years is an exceedingly long time to be held hostage anywhere. It is an excruciatingly long time to be held hostage by a terrorist group in a war-ravaged region. As you continue to pray for this entire situation and the ongoing peace negotiation, keep the hostages front-and-center in your petitions. Pray for physical safety, as well as spiritual, mental, and emotional fortitude. Pray that this two-year nightmare will finally be over for those wrongly taken and held far too long.
As for the larger negotiations, it is once again worthwhile to reflect on our guiding biblical principles for this conflict. Each one of them is implicated in the ongoing talks:
1) The Jewish people continue to face persecution unlike any other people group, and the special covenant God made with them is relevant as we seek to understand the ‘why’ behind this age-old hostility (Gen. 12:3).
2) Every person on every side of the conflict has eternal value (Gen. 1:26).
3) Authorities from both Israel and Hamas have a duty to forge peace for those living under their charge (Rom. 13:4).
4) World leaders, including those playing a leading role in negotiations, have a significant role to play, and we should be covering them in prayer.
Finally, for you personally, the hope in this situation is a tentative one, but your confidence should be unshakable, and your very being should be anchored to the promises of your God (Heb. 6:19).
The following article originally appeared in Thann’s “The Equipped” Weekly Newsletter. For more information on Thann’s weekly email, click here.