Israel Responds

Israel has responded to Iran’s recent missile attacks by striking multiple military and nuclear facilities inside Iran. Both Israel and Iran indicated the strikes were limited and targeted at strategic locations, though officials from the two countries differ in their descriptions of the impact. Four Iranian soldiers are believed to have died in the strikes, and Iran claims one civilian has died, as well.

Analysis and eternal perspective: It was clear from the moment Iran directly attacked Israel there would be a response. The question had been whether the response would be targeted and proportional or more crippling. For now, the answer appears to be the former. However, as we have long seen, conflicts in the Middle East tend to escalate quickly. As Israel continues to face war with two of its neighbors (Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon), the regional threat from Iran has the potential to dramatically expand the scope of the conflict.

Jesus followers should pray for all the precious souls in the widening war zone. The various wars and conflicts have created a rising death toll, and we should pray that those in harm’s way would come to a saving knowledge of Jesus. We should also continue to consider these wars through a biblical lens and should equip ourselves to speak eternal life into a void of so much death and destruction.

We as The Equipped should pursue peace (Ps. 34:14), and we will keep reminding ourselves to remain committed to that truth while also holding in tension God’s promise to avenge evil in due time (Rom. 12:19).

War is disorienting to all of us. But God’s ways are higher, and His steadfastness is everlasting. Take heart!

The following article originally appeared in Thann Bennett’s “The Equipped” Weekly Newsletter. For more information on Thann’s weekly email, click here.