“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee” (Psalm 122:6).
This week a father got the news no parent ever wants to hear, “We have the bodies of your children.” Yarden Bibas, an Israeli, was informed that his red-haired boys 9-month-old Kfir and 4-year-old Ariel – and Oded Lifshitz – died while hostages of Hamas for a year and a half in Gaza.
In a final public insult, Hamas paraded the bodies through the streets lined with jeering crowds.
Another unidentified body returned to Israel. Some suspected it was Yarden’s wife, Shiri. However, the IDF said it is not. Yarden’s family responded, “We will not give up on Mom, Shiri,” according to The Jerusalem Post.
The family pleads for the safe release of all the remaining hostages, citing how urgent this matter is. They hold out hope that Shiri is still alive and will return to them soon.
Monday marked a horrendous milestone – 500 days since this war began on October 7, 2023. With each passing day, the situation becomes more dire for the Israeli hostages. By killing these innocent children, Hamas proves its demonically inspired terrorism knows no limits.
Jesus taught, “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy” (John 10:10a). That is Satan’s strategy. We see it at work through Hamas as they stole innocent children, killed them and destroyed a family.
Thankfully, Jesus didn’t stop His teaching with that warning. His next words were, “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep” (John 10:10b-11).
Satan steals. Jesus saves.
Satan scatters. Jesus gathers.
Satan kills. Jesus quickens.
Satan destroys. Jesus delivers.
May the Lord bring healing to the Bibas family. May this tragedy open many eyes to the tactics of evil and the Good News of Jesus.
May the Prince of Peace bring His everlasting peace to Jerusalem! “Even so, come, Lord Jesus” (Rev. 22:20b).
Posts