Let the saints be joyful in glory;
Let them sing aloud on their beds.
Let the high praises of God be in their mouth,
And a two-edged sword in their hand,
To execute vengeance on the nations,
And punishments on the peoples;
To bind their kings with chains,
And their nobles with fetters of iron;
To execute on them the written judgment —
This honor have all His saints. (Psalm 149:5-9)
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Saints of God,
We tiptoe around battles when we should be charging into them with our swords high, our voices strong, our faith unshakeable in the One who sits on the Throne.
We admire, or fear, men and women in positions of power, when we should know that it is God - not man - who has the final authority to make the ultimate decisions on this earth; in whose hands the hearts of kings are turned like watercourses in the desert.
We are forever making apologetic noises or offering explanations - almost excusing ourselves before this secular world - when we should be bold about who we are and in Whom we believe.
Where is our faith? Where is our resolve? Where is our courage? Where is our strength?
We know it is not in ourselves. But we need to know that we do have strength – infinite, unbeatable strength: For our strength is in the LORD God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the Creator of heaven and earth; the LORD God of armies; the LORD God of Israel.
With Him at our head, there is no power on this earth that can withstand us; no power that can harm even one hair on our heads. We are invincible in Him.
Psalm 149 does not identify the forces over whom God has given His saints authority as only spiritual principalities and powers. It is nations, peoples, kings and nobles that we we can take vengeance on, punish, and bind up.
(Of course we do not fall into the error of those groups or cults that have resorted to physical violence to try bring about the establishment of God’s kingdom on earth. Nor do we need to. For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds… (2 Corinthians 10:3-4) It is the strongholds over the leaders and nations of this world that we can pull down.)
It is the LORD who commands His forces – those who believe in Him – that we have a crucial fight to fight.
It is He who has equipped us to engage the enemy in this battle.
It is He who trains our hands to war.
And it is He who will ensure that, even when we appear to lose some battles, we will be victorious at the end.
But let us fight! Let us not join those who sit back and say – “Everything will work out well; God is in control; we’ve read the back of the Book and we know who finally wins.â€
Israel – whether her people will accept it or not – is fighting for her very life. Her real enemies are the hordes of hell, commanded by the devil who knows that he is waging this war to destroy Israel in order to delay, and if possible even thwart, the purposes of God and the sending of His Messiah.
Israel’s leaders are unbelieving, corrupt, weak; they are unable to withstand pressure from their nation’s so-called friends abroad. It is as if they have already given in, have resigned themselves to the “inevitable.â€
We have not.
Two months ago, hundreds of Christian Zionists who had come up to Jerusalem for the Feast of Tabernacles were led to pray, and pray repeatedly, that God would foil the concentrated US-led effort to get Israel to Annapolis for a meeting whose purpose is to push for the creation of an Arab state called Palestine on the biblical and historical Land of Israel; an Arab state with Jerusalem as its capital, and the Temple Mount firmly within its grasp.
In the ensuing weeks, as more alarms were sounded about the enormous danger this conference presents to the future existence of the Jewish state and to the well being of the United States, untold numbers of similar prayers have gone up from Christians all around the world.
These prayers are not falling on deaf ears. As is clear for all with spiritual eyes to see, God is sowing confusion and frustration among the parties to this shameful event. The sounds of His scornful laughter is echoing through the skies.
As I write this, a mere week before the conference is supposed to take place, reports reveal that the Bush administration’s happy dream of “two nations living side by side in peace†is just that: a happy dream. Many of the dreamers are being rudely woken up.
Top officials in the Israeli and American governments appear despairing of any meaningful outcome from this conference.
Newspaper headlines from the last few days tell the story:
• “Annapolis may not include joint statement – Gaps between sides cause reevaluation of what to do at Maryland meetingâ€
• “US plans talks even without agreement on joint statementâ€
• “Barak blamed for Annapolis inertiaâ€
• “Uncertainty over Annapolis datesâ€
• “Peres tells Turkish parliament: Summit cannot be allowed to failâ€
• “Israel sends out mixed signals on Mideast meetingâ€
• “Israel – We won’t negotiate at Annapolisâ€
• “Olmert: One should not exaggerate summit significanceâ€
Writing under the headline “See you at the next summit,†a respected left-wing columnist concluded Monday that “the Annapolis conference is over before it started.â€
Likewise, on the same day, chief Oslo-Agreement architect and arch-leftist Yossi Beilin said it is “better to skip the Annapolis meet than go there like this.”
Meanwhile the Arab states are waiting until the last minute (Friday before the conference) to decide whether they will participate or not. It’s called hedging their bets.
The Jerusalem Post reported Monday that the Egyptians “have already advised finding a suitable pretext to postpone the parley indefinitely.â€
And Egyptian officials suddenly announced a surprise meeting to be held between Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and Israeli Prime Minister Tuesday.
Some analysts believe that the Bush administration has too much riding on Annapolis; that it would be disastrous to scupper it now.
The final decision could be made in the next 48 hours.
And yet, Christian Zionists, we have not prayed enough.
If there was an urgent need to pray before, it is doubly urgent now. We dare not relax, satisfied at the obstacles and impediments that have nearly derailed this conference. We want it derailed completely.
If the leaders of the world’s only Jewish state go to Annapolis, even with expectations greatly lowered, it will still cost Israel dearly. She will stand alone in Maryland, and the world will work hard to impose its will upon her.
Be not resigned; do not despair; do not fear. Rather, wielding the Word without hesitation, and proclaiming God’s promises for all powers to hear, let us fiercely engage the enemy of our souls - the enemy of Israel.
Let us rend the heavens with our prayers to the Almighty, to stop “Annapolis†now.â€
In your first paragraph, as I read I saw in my mind’s eye Gideon and his three hundred, chosen by G-d:
Jdg 7:17 And [Gideon] said to them, “Watch me and do likewise. And see, when I come to the edge of the camp do as I do. 18 And I shall blow the ram’s horn, I and all those with me, then you shall also blow the ram’s horns round about all the camp, and say, ‘For the L-rd and for Gideon.’”
Jdg 7:20 And the three companies blew the ram’s horns and broke the jars, and held the torches in their left hands and the ram’s horns in their right hands for blowing. And they cried, “The sword of the L-rd and of Gideon!†21 And each stood in his place, round about the camp. And all the [enemy] army ran and cried out and fled,
The L-rd will save Israel. Let us step out in faith!
PREACH IT BROTHER!!!!!! WE CALL UPON LORD SABAOTH—OUR AVENGER! LORD HEAR OUR CRIES AND SAVE ISAEL. ~I have been praying this prayer lately and have felt led to blow my rams horn a lot in the past weeks…I didn’t really know why… Now I know.
Yes, I have feared that this summit meeting would convene, but I have prayed that it would not. I fear for Israel, but will, with all of the rest of you, continue to pray fervently for her safety and continued existence.Thanks Stan.
Yes, pray we must! Too many times I’ve heard people say “But I’ve read the end of the Book”. That just gripes me. I feel it’s a scapegoat, head in the sand type mentality.
People need to remember this is not only about Jews in Israel. It’s also about those of Arabic nationality who live in Israel. Do we really think anything less than what happened after the disengagement from the Gaza Strip would occur if the Biblical heartland of Israel were given away? Those who wish to live in ISRAEL, peaceably, will be stuck in the “Palestinian state” subject to the same things that Hamas inflicts upon those in Gaza.
Our sincere prayers are very much needed. May G-d preserve ALL of Israel - and thwart the plans of men!
Delta
I agree that this madness has to be stopped. Israel is the only one who can. My President Mr. Bush is getting advice from our State Dept. which is totaly anti-Israel.G-od is the only one who can change his mind.
ISREAL MAY LOSE THE BATTLE BUT WIN THE WAR, AFTER ALL ISRAEL IS GOD’S CHOSEN NATION AND HE IS THE “GREAT I AM” AND NO ONE CAN STAND AGANIST HIM.
AMEN!!
Dear Brothers and Sisters. These things must all come to pass as the LORD prepares His people Israel for the final 7 years. 483 years are complete and 7 are left which will culminate in the Tribulation period according to the book of Daniel. So we ought not to be surprised as Israel is falling apart. For this has been prophesied in the OT. In Ezekiel 38 and 39, we see the players who will attack Israel but God will come to their rescue. Israel will accept the false Messiah who comes out of the revived Roman Empire. Pray not against these men to be stopped but that God’s will be fulfilled. Jesus is coming soon.
“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem for they shall prosper that love thee” Psalm 122:6
Thank you once more Stan, I only wish your blog was front page news. We must continue to petition our G-d, Blessed is He, to shine a light on the darkness that is enfolding Israel. The Enemy is throwing everything he can at her. We Christian Zionists must keep up our vigil, Ask Our commander in chief to close all doors that are open to this Annapolis conference. Then have the faith that He will!
Keep up the Godly work all you Saints
BRAVO! BRAVO! Stan! Shout it from the roof tops! You have Never been more passionate…and rightfully so!!! Yes, we are praying…and Yes we are believing God for His Divine Intervention!!! He is able!
NOTHING IS TOO HARD FOR HIM! Lots of warfare as we STAND for Israel to retain all of her Lands (including taking back GAZA!), and never dividing JERUSALEM!!!
WOE to those who call evil good, and good evil! Heavenly Father, Show the world’s leaders how YOU handle All who are the enemies of Israel (whether they be internally or externally!) In the name of Jesus Christ, my Saviour and LORD. amen and amen
Isaiah 55 : 6-9 ” Seek YHWH while he may be found, call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his ways & the unrighteous man his thoughts. Let
him return to the Lord & He will have mercy on him & to our God, for he will
abundantly pardon.
For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your
ways & My thoughts than yours.”
With these scriptures in mind , we ought to be careful how we pray, we do not want
to thwart the plans of YHWH, we do want people to be saved, we do want the peace of Jerusalem & we do want His will to be done. Man’s peace is not
the peace of YHWH, men cry peace peace & then comes sudden destruction so
says Jeremiah & other prophets. We must fight in the heavenlies & pray & be
prayer warriors, but only according to the scriptures, never our own thoughts.
The Peace we are looking for is YHWH’S Peace & we look for a city whose
builder & maker is YHWH. What is written is written & YHWH will use His Word
to bring His Peace even THE PRINCE OF PEACE, Yeshua our Messiah. Amein.
If Annapolis fails, I wouldn’t be surprised if Bush initiates an attack on Iran’s nukes, to salvaged his fledgling party.
The different Principalities:
Palestine (Islam (Sharia (Satan vs God) Zion) Judaism) Israel
Annapolis is only looking at the outer shell. The real battles lie deeper within.
Bless you Stan;I;m praying not only for Israel but for my county too. What Bush and Rice is trying to do will bring judgement on us all . and Israels leaders is doing the same to Israel . May our ELOIHEM have mercy on all their souls. and may HE protect us from this evil that is in our mist.
Jimmy, it goes against our sense of justice not to pray for mans failure at Annapolis, but you are right, God’s plan is coming to fruition. I think we all can agree with Bob that the battle is within. It began with Lucifier, but more recently in 600ad with Islam. It is a great blessing and encouragement to be aligned in Christ with you all. We are standing shoulder to shoulder, watching one anothers back with our prayers. God bless everyone this Thanksgiving and CHRISTmas season. Thank you Stan.
As we see what is happening with Israel, her only friend America turning ever more against, her and even her own Prime Minister wanting to sell her down the river, I am reminded that God’s word says that when Israel’s back is against the wall and she doesn’t have a friend to count on, she will then call out to her only help, the God of heaven. He is, and has been for a very long time, waiting for her to come to this point, when He wil intervene in accordance with His promises.
So, our prayers should be that God would bring about His purposes for Israel and, although it is heartrending to see Israel having to go through yet more trouble, out of it she will come to recognise and call on her Messiah. The bible says it will be ‘life from the dead’.
Blessings
Marian
First of all much thanks to Stan who has been doing his thing for quite some time now and HaShem has not failed to notice.
We at the International House of Prayer in Kansas City are pressing in for revival in Israel that breaks strongholds. I am a messainic jew there and I take this very personal. This conference is as “Jimmy” said part of the Lord’s prophetic destiny for Israel. However he is underestimating the power of intersession. We ask Father for you to release the roar of the Lion of the Tribe of Judah! The voice of the Lord is powerful. The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars of Lebanon. The voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness.
Intersession is part of our stewardship of our relationship with God. Contend for your inheritance.
Thank you Stan for putting it so clearly. I have been praying accordingly for weeks.
I feel Israel is being coerced into something evil & so destructive. I’ve been praying that the Lord would intervene on behalf of His people and His land and not allow this to pass. Look at what’s been happening in Gaza. Look what Hamas has been doing there. Why give them rights to more territory - for more terrorism?!
HOW COULD WE!
Thank you Stan for your NewsLetter, I pray for the peace of Israel, peace in Yerushalayim, Isaiah 62. I pray that the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob protect, and keep her save. I pray for my Mishpacha in Israel, that the Lord will continue to encourage you and strengthen you to be watchmen on the walls of Yerushalayim. No weapon forged against Israel shall prevail, in the might name of our Lord Yeshua Ha Machiach!! Amen!
I think that Mr. Bush should expect judgement on himself, but not the nation for his role. The US may get judgement for the murder, rape, sodomy, and the list is endless, but look around it’s bad all over. I pray that in these uncertain times that he will intervene becuase I feel like we are in the times of Noah.
The blessings of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ upon you Stan for you are truly a Watchman on the Wall. The Annapolis Summit, if carried out will ensure 2 things; continued national suicide by the Israeli Government, and a disaster to befall the United States. It has been proven that everytime the division of His land is brought up and enacted upon, great tragedy has occured. I weep for my country and the role that my government has taken on as “peace maker” and administrator of this injustice toeward Israel and her people, and I feel that the US will suffer greatly during the next 2-4 weeks with an occurence of another natural disaster or attack of some sort on this land, for the simple fact that we have invited all of the enemies of Israel TO THIS COUNTRY to do the bidding of division against her. I pray that this summit never takes place, and I pray for the peace of Jerusalem
Yes, I agree with these above letters love and prayers for Israel and the danger of Annapolis and damage and Judgement wrought, etc. by dividing the Lords land and people like Christs garments, does the Psalms quoted by the Author also portend to the prophesies in Revelation upon the Second Coming of the Lord??
When I was listening to this on the news recently, I heard the words “This, too, shall pass” …. meaning GOD’s WILL is what will take place in Israel, and on the earth. It burdens my heart, however, that the USA is stabbing Israel in the back so visciously. My prayer has been that US policy will turn around, and we will begin to support Israel as a real friend shoud …. but then …. I was also struck w the notion that “America” is not necessarily the state department or the white house or congress. AMERICA is me, you, and all american CITIZENS !!! The PRAYING BODY of America is the “America” that God is looking at !!!! We are the America that HE responds to !!! WoW !!! What a notion! What a concept !!!! The friend that Israel can count on is the body of Christians within America !!! The outcome of Annapolis is up to us … moreso than the diplomats in Washington. So we really gotta pour on the prayer ~~ for Israel ~~ and for the spiritual life of America.
Judgment begins with God’s people.
American believers have more light and more tools to understand than anyone else. Yet they choose not to.
Instead they blame other people: the gays, the pagans, abortion, pornographers, rapists, etc. As though these things were invented last week.
And always works based solutions. That is why they elected Bush. He promised to stop gays and abortion thru legislation. Fixing the spirit by fixing the laws.
If laws could make men righteous, we would have been saved at Mt Sinai.
Now this man that they sought to fix their country has destroyed it. Record debt, an unwinnable war, economic disaster, soaring fuel, environmental chaos, complete loss of prestige, and who knows what else?
And they still do not see that they have been under judgment since Sept 2001. God’s pattern is to raise wicked leaders to judge a nation. Think of Pharoah in Exodus. Jeroboam/Rehoboam in Israel. It is God’s pre-judgment, as it were.
Yes, the very man Christians praised as almost Jesus brother is our judgment. God is not asleep. He raises all leaders to His purpose. Bush’s purpose is to judge His Church, by judgng their idol, America.
Gods nation has always been Israel. He never changed His allegiance to America, nor does He vote Republican. He is a King. He does not need to vote, nor does He need a party.
The unsaved will get theirs, no doubt, but AFTER His people. God doesn;t expect unsaved people to ‘be good’, because works do not save. It seems only believers expect that, thus negating the finished work. This comes from the America-Is-Christian line of apostasy, and the only way God can fix it is to remove America. hey refuse to repent, to this day waving the flag in God’s face and thinking that means something.
No, Annapolis can’t be stopped. God Himself has planned this. But those who repent of their idol worship and blindness will be kept through it. Stop balming OTHER PEOPLE. This is directed at the CHURCH, because they sought a MAN for salvation, and not the LORD.
And btw, God DOES judge a nation for the actions of her leaders. See: Hurricane Katrina. Abnnapolis will be no excepion.
What shall we then say to these things? if G-d be for us,who can be against us?
Our Father in Heaven, Forgive us for that which we have done (our Leaders and our Nation) to Eretz Yisrael, forgive us our sins against the beloved, we stand before you through/ in the name of your Son, Messiah Yahushua (Yeshua) as we are reminded to pray and seek your face as watchmen on the walls: we have been Isaiah 1:4 and like unto Daniel 11:39 when You have asked us to do Psalm 122, 1Timothy 2:1-8, 5:17; 2 Chronicles 7:14 and much more. Holy Father, You are Hashem and Adonai Elohim T’zvoat, Isaiah 9:6 and continually our Isaiah 28:9. May Your Will be done in the earth as it is in Heaven…We commit all these things to You and for Your Glory, from everlasting to everlasting You are our Holy One of Israel..we wait for You as we seek Your face as You do that which is pleasing in Your sight. Baruch Haba B’Shem Adonai…Shema Israel!
Why don’t the oil-rich Arab nations give a morsel of land to the Pals?
“May all those who are pushing this develish agenda to create a islamic state on the holy land exclusively and wholey given to Jacob by God Himself fail.May the Lord make the council of these seemingly wise but foolish men and women nothing.”This is my prayer. From Swaziland(southern africa).
This is indeed an important time to pray and uphold the people of Israel. The promises of God are specifically to them when it comes to the Possesion of the land. In these days we are seeing a greater degree of hatred for the people of Israel and it is right so on our part to pray for the chosen ones of our Lord.You are doing a great job in rallying the church to this noble cause. God Bless you.