Phase Two

Israel and Hamas are moving haltingly toward Phase Two of the ceasefire first announced last October—a ceasefire that has been as much fire as cease to this point. This week, Hamas again agreed to disarm if several conditions are met. Those conditions include Israel’s full withdraw from Gaza, the reconstruction of Gaza, and the creation of a Palestinian state, which Israel opposes. It is a stalemate similar to previous roadblocks, and regional confidence that Phase Two will hold is low.

Analysis and eternal perspective: The saying is, “it takes two to tango,” but it certainly also requires two cooperative parties to strike a peace deal that is meaningful, enforceable, and sustainable. There is very little reason to believe, even while holding on to hope, the current talk of disarmament and peace is on solid footing. There have been numerous starts and stops to this process over the last nine months, and there will likely be several more. Even so, the path to sustained peace involves persistence and continuing to bring the parties to the negotiating table.

We invoke Psalm 34:14 on a regular basis here at The Equipped: “Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.” Perhaps the most significant reason we turn to this encouragement for peace among the many in scripture is the use of the words “seek” and “pursue.” Peace is very often a long process. It is something that requires effort and time. It takes persistence, and it is something you and I must be devoted to over a lifetime.

Peace is something to possess, yes, but it is also something to pursue.

Don’t be discouraged this week by the elusive nature of peace. There is value in persistently seeking and pursuing, and you might just discover that in the process of seeking you will find your heavenly Father waiting (Jer. 29:13).