(Day 840) Swords of Iron – “Now We Pray, and Wait”

The Iranian delegation at the United Nations says they are prepared for the worst-case scenario, though they hope the buildup of American military power will not lead to a direct confrontation. They warn such a clash could cause the entire region to collapse—and they claim Israel wants this. We’re just trying to stop the “head of the octopus” from spreading terror across the Middle East and launching attacks at us.

Meanwhile, American and European airlines have begun canceling flights to Israel and the broader region. The commander of U.S. Central Command, Admiral Brad Cooper, has arrived in Israel, while Russia’s foreign ministry has urged its citizens to leave Iran and avoid travel there until further notice.

Tensions are high.

In Israel, people are waiting with bated breath, sensing that a massive U.S. naval presence does not cross the ocean simply to sit idle in the Arabian Sea. Something has to give.

Bomb shelters are being opened, and rumors circulate that Iran’s leadership is hiding in bunkers. Many here believe a joint Israeli-American strike could come at any moment—tonight, tomorrow, or soon. With this level of military deployment, it is hard to imagine a prolonged stalemate.

At the same time, reports from Iran describe mass arrests, widespread injuries, and a death toll that varies wildly depending on the source. Estimates range from tens of thousands killed to even higher numbers, underscoring the chaos and lack of transparency. Amid this turmoil, Jews are being blamed for Iran’s economic collapse—a familiar and dangerous deflection. History shows that tyranny, dictatorship, and apocalyptic war-driven theology lead only to ruin. Calls of “death to America” and “death to Israel” are not just rhetoric; they represent a broader threat that extends beyond Israel alone.

This is not merely a regional conflict. Amid concerns over missile threats, travelers worldwide are delaying or canceling plans.

Hamas has also doubled down, declaring it will not disarm and rejecting international proposals outright. Its stated goal—to eliminate Israel “from the river to the sea”—remains unchanged, and its campaign of terror continues. Israel says it will therefore continue efforts to forcibly disarm Hamas, citing ongoing attacks, planted explosives, and weapons fire along contested lines.

Israel has also rejected the involvement of certain countries in any transitional force for Gaza, arguing that some actors cannot serve as neutral guarantors of peace. The Muslim Brotherhood and affiliated networks are coming under broader scrutiny, which have long operated in the open—training militants and running ideological indoctrination hubs across multiple countries.

Despite the uncertainty, we are prepared for whatever comes next, grounded in strength and faith.

Psalm 144:1; “Blessed be the Lord, my rock, who trains my hands for war and my fingers for battle.”