(Day 572) Swords of Iron – “🔥Major Arson Attack”

Chaim starts out by giving a brief overview of the fire situation around Jerusalem. The bottom line is that it doesn’t look good, with the winds picking up and pushing the flames towards Jerusalem. Many people have had to evacuate their homes and thousands of acres of forested areas have already burned. This has led to the cancellation of many events meant to celebrate the 77th anniversary of Israel’s independence in 1948, which immediately follows the remembrance day for the soldiers who have been killed in action during Israel’s many conflicts as well as all the civilians killed in terrorist attacks.

Chaim quotes some verses that are relevant in this context, starting with Isaiah 25:8; He will swallow up death forever, and the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces; the rebuke of His people He will take away from all the earth; for the Lord has spoken.

Also Psalms 116:15; Precious in the sight of the Lord Is the death of His saints.”

Also Isaiah 40:1; “Comfort, yes, comfort My people!” Says your God.”

Also Psalms 23:4; “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.”

Also Ecclesiaties 3:1-4; To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; A time to plant, and a time to pluck what is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

Also Isaiah 41:10; Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’

Chaim says that the grief people are feeling is very fresh, as the wars of 1967 and 1973 might have been a long time ago but the Second and Third Lebanon Wars and the war against Hamas are still ongoing and there have been many casualties from these wars, even just a few days ago.

In this context, he quotes another verse, Isaiah 49:16; See, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands; your walls are continually before Me.

Also Deuteronomy 33:27; The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms;  He will thrust out the enemy from before you, and will say, ‘Destroy!’

Also Psalms 34:18; The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

Also Isaiah 57:1-2; The righteous perishes, and no man takes it to heart; Merciful men are taken away, while no one considers that the righteous is taken away from evil. He shall enter into peace; they shall rest in their beds, each one walking in his uprightness.