“The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water, he turneth it whithersoever he will” (Pr. 21:1) 

“For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God.  For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness” (I Co. 3:19)

Dear Intercessors for Israel:

The eyes of the nations and Israel are upon the United States this week.  The uncertainties regarding the outcome of the recent election has troubled many world leaders.  Israel finds itself also wondering if a change in U.S. Administrations will affect its status.  The Biden-Harris team has promised to restore aid to the Palestinians, reject the annexing the Territories, and possibly nullify certain treaties.

Yet, I keep hearing in my Spirit, “Wait upon the Lord, Be strong and let your heart take courage.”  In the natural, it looks like Vice President Biden has won the election, but God!  Have the many prophets prophesied falsely regarding Trump’s second term?  No!  But I believe, he is in the midst of a battle, so fierce, that he will be like the patriarch Jacob and come away from it with a limp.  He will emerge victorious, but will ever be reminded of the cost.

I heard the LORD’s still soft voice say today that “I will keep my man in office.  I have heard the cries of my people.  Now expect a breakthrough, I will turn this situation around!”

During the Gore-Bush election of 2000, I received a vision of the outcome.  As some of you remember, the Presidential race was again tied up.  The ballots in Florida would determine the victor.  The case revolved around decision as to what punch ballot counted or not (hanging, and dimpled chads).  It went all the way to the Supreme Court, with the decision favoring Bush. In my vision, I saw Vice President Gore, trying to wear a king’s crown, but it kept sliding off his head, no matter how hard, he tried to keep it on. And in the end, that’s what happened, the Presidency was not his to accept.  He would not be in power.

Now we have a similar situation.  Biden and Harris are poised to declare victory.  They are just six electoral ballots shy of the presidency, and Pennsylvania, Nevada and even Georgia are close to turning Blue.  Recounts and Court cases could delay the outcome of this election for months, perhaps turning it over to Congress, but God! His word declares that “the king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water, he turneth it whithersoever he will” (Pr. 21:1)  In other words, it is the LORD God who sets up and pulls down kings, presidents, and potentates.  This election may look in the natural, like a “done deal” to the Democrats, but God is about to show Himself mightily.

There is an old English word, deriving from the French:  Chicanery.  It means to trick, to defraud, to engage or use trickery to achieve a political, financial, or legal purpose. Chicanery is nothing more than deception and dishonesty.  The Gibeonites with their worn clothes and moldy bread deceived Joshua into making a covenant of peace with them.  Jesus declares that the last days, will be marked by deception. The devil also seeks to deceive. There have been multiple reports of chicanery and deception in this election.  Reports have come through of ballot dumping, tampering, excess voters (105%, 110% of all registered voters, voting), and of citizens born in the 1890’s casting votes, as well as illegal voters).  Perhaps the big political “machines” and the individuals funding them with their billions, have unduly influenced this election.  I do know that He who sits in the heavens laughs at their manipulations, and that all darkness will be brought into the light.

I believe, the hand of God is against these manipulators.  The destiny of our Country and its roots as a Christian nation are at stake.  This is an hour to remain in prayer for the battle is not yet over, but if we remain steadfast, the LORD will give us the victory.

Israel as a nation has also experienced “political manipulations” in its history.  The European Union is currently funding anti-Netanyahu demonstrations in Israel, aiming to topple Prime Minister Netanyahu, and his unity government.

Former President Clinton, in 1999, sent over his “big guns,” political consultants James Carville and Stanley Greenberg to influence voters.  Prime Minister Netanyahu ended up being defeated by Ehud Barak.  Carville’s wiles and witty political slogans had won the election for Labor. President Obama also did the same in 2012.   Politics is about achieving and holding on to power.  It is a dirty business.  But God, who hears the prayers of His people, can/does influence the destiny of nations.  He is not like the unjust judge who can be bought.  I believe for this season; America is still one nation under God and will not be given over to hands that wish to tear down its values.

Pray Job 5:12 over the outcome of this election: “He disappointeth the devices (schemes) of the crafty, so that their hands cannot perform their enterprise.”

News from Israel

Israel as a nation is struggling to win its fight against the ravages of the COVID-19 virus.  The nation has been under a two-week lock-down which ends this Sunday.  Even so, restrictions will still be in place, when that nation-wide quarantine ends.  Stores will only be able to accept four customers at a time. 

The IDF Home Front Command, has been tasked with supporting the Health Ministry’s fight against spreading corona virus.  As a part of the IDF, they have the resources and experience to help the Health Ministry challenges in controlling the virus.  They have drawn up a comprehensive plan for mass testing. Covid-19 testing stations will be positioned at the entrances to shopping malls, office buildings and other venues regularly transited by large numbers of people. The plan, if approved, would facilitate the earlier reopening of places of business during the high-risk winter months. (www.debka.com). 

Israelis are quite used to passing through security barriers before entering malls and offices.  Now they will have to check into a COVID testing station as well, perhaps just to get their temperature taken or fast saliva test to prove they are negative.  Could this be the future for the U.S too?

Sputnik V Vaccine

Hadassah Medical Center in Jerusalem has received permission from the Israeli government to purchase and deliver 1.5 million doses of the new Russian anti-COVID-19 vaccine.  This Russian vaccine is based on the coronavirus itself. The most common vaccines are live vaccines that use a weakened form of the germ that causes a disease. Because these vaccines are so similar to the natural infection they help prevent, they create a strong and long-lasting immune response.  Some Western experts, including a few scientists in Israel, have warned against the use of the vaccine until all internationally approved testing and regulatory steps have been taken. They have also questioned Russia’s ability to develop the vaccine so quickly.  Sounds like the other competing drug companies such as Moderna are a little jealous that Russia has beat them in sales.

Sputnik V refers to the world’s first artificial satellite, Sputnik I, launched during the space race at the height of the Cold War. Russian framed the worldwide effort to develop a coronavirus vaccine as a similar race, and Russian President Vladimir Putin said his country has won the race. (www.jpost.com)

Jerusalem Cable Car Project

Long in the planning stage, a cable car transport system, stretching from Jerusalem’s First Station to Mt. Zion and then to the Dung Gate, by the Western Wall will begin construction in the next two weeks.  A maintenance site will also be built in the neighborhood of Abu-Tor (where the House of Peace is located).  This new people mover, will certainly reduce traffic to this holy site, as possibly speed the flow of worshipers to the Kotel.  Yet, nothing is ever done simply in Jerusalem.  Protests have arisen from both the secular and religious sectors.  One group is concerned about the removal of trees, while the other is worried about possible defilement from the cable car passing near a Christian cemetery. Arab protestors are arguing that the cable car pylons and stations are intruding on pre-1967 lines. These arguments have yet to be resolved in Court.   (www.jpost.com)

Shabbat Shalom

Gene and Marylois/House of Peace