Whose Side Are You On?

"The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned." - Isaiah 9:2

Over the years we’ve had many conversations with people who have been passionately charged with the politics surrounding Israel, Gaza and what is commonly known as the West Bank. No matter which ‘side’ people landed on, invariably I found that to be in support of one, inevitably meant being against the other. Our conclusion from those conversations was a simple one - politics divides - and we don’t need to look as far as the Middle East to see that kind of division in our own nations’ political landscapes or even closer to home. We too experience the complexities of what we hear reported, our desire for righteousness and justice, the consternation of knowing people on the ground, and our compassion for so many who have lost much living through war. And in the midst of such division, we are firmly convinced of one thing, that God’s heart is not, nor ever will be, divided! He loves the one, AND he loves the other. As 1 Timothy 2:4 plainly states, God wants ALL people to be saved and know the truth of his love.

God wants ALL people to be saved and know the truth of his love

In the moment of such conversations, I am often reminded of Joshua’s encounter with the man holding a drawn sword, as they entered the Promised Land (Joshua 5). Joshua demanded to know whose side the man was on, but the man’s response was to say, ‘Neither! I am the Captain of the Lord’s army.’ It wasn’t then, and still isn’t now, about ‘sides’, but about Adonai Elohim Tsevaot, the Lord God Almighty, who gave everything so that every person may experience his love, through the life, death and resurrection of his Son, Yeshua.

At such a time as this, may we all be encouraged to direct our passion into prayer, that those working tirelessly to share the message of salvation and love of God in Israel, Gaza and beyond, would be effective in seeing many won to faith in Yeshua (Jesus). Pray the words of Isaiah, that those in the darkest of places, would see a great light, and turn to Yeshua, the light of the world. And pray that our own hearts are not divided by politics, but united in seeing God’s kingdom come on earth, as it is in heaven. Amen.