SATURDAY, War 106, SWORDS OF IRON. 20.1.2024

Sudden events are sometimes wake-up calls.

October 7^th terrors were for sure a wake-up call to our nation. The fact that our nation become united as never seen before and people are still going out of their way to help each other is a testimony to the uniqueness of this people. 360,000 men and women returning to Israel answering the call to arms, is also a testimony to the randiness of our people to protect our land and to give their lives if necessary.

A wake-up call that was met with dedication and caring for one another.

Jack, Willie's brother (75) died yesterday. Suddenly. Jack is a Canadian, was that a wake-up call? no one expected him to die. He was in great shape and looked after his health for many years. When he fell ill, he had some tests done in the hospital, he then went home and decided to shovel snow – which caused a heart attack and the unexpected death. We were shocked. His wife and daughters must be also in shock at the sudden passing.

Willie is sure that Jack knew Jesus as his saviour and this comforts him; he knows that they will meet each other in heaven.

A rocket went to Haifa before 9pm last night. The sirens sounded and I got a notice about it in my phone. Hezbollah is shooting at us again. Haifa was rather safe till now. A sudden change in the enemy's actions. We are told that the North is secure and protected; a wake-up call for our leaders – the rockets are coming from Lebanon, The North is not as protected as they thought it was.

Kfir (meaning a young lion) was a year old on January 18 and he is still in prison. The nation celebrated his birthday in a few ways. This morning I heard that the latest story is that Kfir and his 4-year-old brother had their red hair painted black, were taken away from their parents who were also abducted and were given to an Arab woman who smuggled them with the refugees who left North Gaza. Suddenly, a new possibility that was not considered before. Is that a wake-up call? Would the Israeli leader change their tactics to free our 136 hostages who are still in Hamas's hands?

So many sudden changes.

God is not surprised. God knows what was, is, and is yet to come. He promised to protect His nation and to keep Israel in our land forever. We trust in Him.

In Job 36:13

it is written, “that it might take holds of the earth and the wicked be shaken out of it” .

I get a picture of God shaking out the earth as one shakes a tablecloth and getting rid of the wicked as one gets rid of crumbs. What a great picture. Shake them out God, please shake them out.