Gene’s letter:

      “…Yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land:  And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory saith the LORD of hosts” (Hag. 2:6-7)

“Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto wise man, which built his house upon a rock:  And the rain descended and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not; for it was founded upon a rock” (Mt. 7:24-25)

“Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:  For our God is a consuming fire.” (Heb. 12:28-29)

Dear Intercessors for Israel:

As I write this prayer letter, the nations of the world are in distress and men’s and women’s hearts are fainting.  For many, fear and anxiety has become a very real part of life.  The spreading pandemic of the Corona COVID-19 virus has impacted the whole world.  Everywhere, borders are closed, transportation is limited, people are quarantined, hospitals are overwhelmed, and shortages of materials and foods are everywhere.  The nations are in perplexity, as leaders struggle on how to contain or stop this virus. 

I cannot say, this is the end of days that the Old Testament Prophets speak about , but it is surely, what Jesus said was the beginning of sorrows (Mt. 24:6-8) It is a unique season, a time to enter into your chambers and hide until the indignation be passed.(Is. 26).  Marylois and I are taking daily communion praying, encouraging others, avoiding crowds and observing hygiene rules.  We know it is an hour to place our faith in Jesus, whose kingdom cannot be moved.  We stand on the rock and rebuke the devourer; this virus will bow its knee to King Jesus.  God will get the glory.

I know also it is an hour for many to repent of their sins and seek him.  It is an hour to pray for souls and plant the seeds of revival.  It is a season where when it passes, our lives and lifestyles will never be the same.  I know, God will get the glory

Pray for your loved ones, pray for salvation, pray for protection, pray for those who have been exposed to COVID-19.  Pray for the doctors, the nurses, the emergency responders, the staff in hospitals, who deal with this virus every day.

We are praying and believing that this pestilence will dry up and cease, even by Passover/Resurrection day. 

Israel

Israel as a nation is observing a severe lock-down.  Everyone has been told to remain inside their homes, unless a need arises to buy groceries or go to the pharmacy.  Outside activities are limited to one 328-foot walk (100 meters) every day.  All modes of transportation are shut down or severely limited (bus service is only 25% of what it once was) restaurants closed, synagogues shut.  Anyone arriving from the airport must be quarantined in special hotels and observed for 14 days.  The Temple Mount is closed, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, and the Cave of the Patriarchs in Hebron, are also closed.  Tel Aviv is deserted and Eilat is lock-down as well.  Are these severe measures working?  Israel, a nation of some 8 million people has reported close to 2,700 cases, and 8 deaths.   How long people will have to be isolated is unknown, nor how long this country can function without most of its citizens working.

Please pray for Peter and Margaret as they watch over the House of Peace.    Pray for the body of believers in Jerusalem and Israel, that this virus does not come near them.  Pray for AM Yisrael (the People of Israel), that this pestilence will pass quickly.  Pray that they would seek Him and find Him.

Israel Government

Breaking news Thursday (March 26th), is that after a year and half of impasse, Israel has a government.  An agreement was made between the leader of the Blue and White Party Benny Gantz and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to form a unity government.  The two opposing sides will share positions and posts.  PM Netanyahu will remain Prime Minister for eighteen months then Gantz will step into that position, in September of 2021. 

Immediately cries of betrayal resounded from Gantz’s own coalition, shattering it.  Yair Lapid, leader of Yesh Atid (There is Change) party accused Gantz of “crawling into Netanyahu government” and “theft of votes.”  Soon after Gantz’s agreement, all the principal left wing parties of the Blue and White alliance, pulled out.   Gantz ‘s was left with his own Resilience Party faction remaining with 16 seats in the Knesset, enough to form a coalition.  Immediately after this decision, members of PM Netanyahu’s coalition including Shas, and United Torah religious parties met with Gantz in the Knesset to congratulate him.  This unified act, sent even more shockwaves into Gantz’s former coalition partners. 

Former Defense Minister and present MK Ashkenazi who is a member of Gantz’s Resilience Party defended his action by saying “The country is in the midst of a national crisis, one of the worst we’ve known. A difficult crisis demands difficult decisions.  We could not keep standing on the sidelines at a time like this. Israeli citizens now need a national emergency government.” (www.timesofisrael.com)

Gantz also took over as the interim head of the Knesset this week.  The former head, Yuli Edelstein was forced out by a Supreme Court mandate demanding he convene the Knesset.  Yuli then resigned and sent this Parliamentary body into another crisis. 

How long this emergency government will last is anyone’s guess.  No portfolios or ministerial positions have been handed out. Gantz would be Defense Minister in this new government, and MK Ashkenazi would likely be appointed Foreign minister.   And so, it goes, in the roller coaster world of Israeli politics!

A Blessing

Our prayer for you: “Beloved, we wish above all things that you may prosper and be in health, even as your soul prospers. (3 Jn. 1:2).

Shabbat Shalom

Gene and Marylois/House of Peace