(Sundown Monday 7/23/07 to Sundown Tuesday 7/24/07)

by Reuven and Mary Lou Doron
email: OneNewManMail@aol.com

Posted on July 22, 2007

God has His special times and seasons appointed for blessings and for favor. Passover, Pentecost, Tabernacles and the first of each month on the Hebrew calendar all serve as "portals in time"; recurring appointments between God and His people when divine strength, purpose and unction are poured out for all who have faith to receive.

Likewise the devil, not able to create anything or bring forth something new, nevertheless satan can only imitate and pervert the works of God as he "packages and markets" his twisted wares to the blind, lost and rebellious children of this world. Just as our heavenly Father appointed special times and seasons for divine purpose and blessings, so also the enemy of our souls has selected particular "windows of time" when hell breaks upon the earth in predictable and repeated intervals.

The Ninth of Av

The ninth day of the Hebrew month of AV and its general season is one such demonic portal when devastation and great harm have come upon the Jewish nation time and again throughout our turbulent history. At this particular time many historic massacres, deportations and disasters have been produced by the hands of our enemies including the notorious Nazi "Crystal Night" (the opening shot of the Holocaust), the expulsion from Spain, pogroms in East Europe, and last year's summer war with Hezbollah forces in Lebanon.

One of the gravest of these tragedies was the destruction of both Temples in Jerusalem 600 years apart. The first Temple, the one which Solomon had built, was destroyed on the ninth day of AV by the Babylonian empire in 586 BC; the second was sacked and burned by Roman legions in 70 AD when they broke into Jerusalem with unrestrained fury after years of desperate battles. To this day, the ninth of AV and the days surrounding it are considered a season of peril, danger, fasting and trial by the Jewish nation.

Tuesday, July 24, 2007, falls on this notorious ninth day of the Hebrew month of AV, and those who watch the deteriorating security conditions on Israel's southern and northern borders can appreciate how easily this day could turn into a portal for great devastation impacting millions in the Middle East. With Syrian troops and missiles on high alert, Iran fanning the flames, and both Hezbollah and Hamas forces armed and eager to stir up trouble, the noose around Israel's "narrow territorial neck" is tightening daily.

Hell is bent on thwarting Israel's national resurrection since it understands that this modern day great miracle is a proof of the integrity of the Word of God as well as the prelude to the return of the Son of God in the power of His Kingdom. Let us not be lulled to sleep by the semi-quiet in the Middle East as it might be the "quiet before the storm." The devil has his claim on the ninth day of AV, and this may be the year he has marked for serious trouble.

God's people must rise and pray to counteract satan's plans as evil is being hatched in the bowels of hell against both Israel and civilian targets in the USA and other nations who resist the radical Islamic agenda. Let the intercessors fear not but pray boldly and confidently, knowing "that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." (Rom 8:28) As we seek for divine intervention to minimize the death and destruction, lifting up the Lord of Hosts (armies of heaven), remember that it is He who promised that even "the wrath of man shall praise Thee," (Psalm 76:10) signifying that even the worst of human behavior can be made to ultimately serve the greater purposes of God by His mighty hand.

How to pray?

We sense neither the need nor the liberty to tell you how to pray. God's Spirit is the conductor of this great global symphony of intercession, and we trust Him to guide your heart and prayers. We will tell you, however, how we pray during this season.

While prayer for the Arab harvest is always appropriate and beneficial, our prayers during these days of distress focus on Israel's political and military leadership, and on her ability to rediscover her "killer instinct" that has, by God's strong support, enabled her to survive repeated attacks by overwhelming forces whose declared purpose and passion are her total annihilation. There are many scriptures that can guide such prayers; today we pray according to these verses:

"'And they will be as mighty men, treading down the enemy in the mire of the streets in battle; and they will fight, for the LORD will be with them; and the riders on horses will be put to shame. And I shall strengthen the house of Judah, and I shall save the house of Joseph, and I shall bring them back, because I have had compassion on them; and they will be as though I had not rejected them, for I am the LORD their God, and I will answer them. And Ephraim will be like a mighty man, and their heart will be glad as if from wine; indeed, their children will see it and be glad, their heart will rejoice in the LORD. I will whistle for them to gather them together, for I have redeemed them; and they will be as numerous as they were before.

When I scatter them among the peoples, they will remember Me in far countries, and they with their children will live and come back. I will bring them back from the land of Egypt, and gather them from Assyria; and I will bring them into the land of Gilead and Lebanon, until no room can be found for them. And He will pass through the sea of distress, and strike the waves in the sea, so that all the depths of the Nile will dry up; and the pride of Assyria will be brought down, and the scepter of Egypt will depart. And I shall strengthen them in the LORD, and in His name they will walk,' declares the LORD." Zechariah 10:5-12.

Standing in the Evil Day

Should war break out this week, it will start as a small localized conflagration but will soon spill into an all out regional fight for national survival. With chemical and biological weapons aimed at her civilian population, and with Iran's developing nuclear capabilities, Israel must fight the coming wars as if there is no tomorrow. Pray as if the life of the nation of Israel depends on your prayers. And pray for your national leadership as well, since the Word declares that "there will be tribulation and distress for every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek, but glory and honor and peace to every man who does good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For there is no partiality with God." Rom 2:9-11.

Should the region remain quiet, however, and life continue on as normal, give thanks to God for giving His people more time to rebuild the ancient cities and restore the foundations of old in preparation for His return. As it is written, "... you will rebuild the ancient ruins; you will raise up the age-old foundations; and you will be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of the streets in which to dwell." Isaiah 58:12.

Above all, "Put on the full armor of God, that you may be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming missiles of the evil one. And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints." Ephesians 6:11-16.