There was a time in Israel’s history when they were surrounded by nations who wanted to destroy them and it seemed that they might succeed. Israel cried out to Jehovah: “O God, do not remain silent; do not turn a deaf ear, do not stand aloof, O God. See how your enemies growl, how your foes rear their heads. With cunning they conspire against your people; they plot against those you cherish. “Come,” they say, “let us destroy them as a nation so that Israel’s name is remembered no more.” The Psalmist listed the nations who formed an alliance to exterminate Israel: “Edom and the Ishmaelites, Moab and the Hagrites, Byblos, Ammon and Amalek, Philistia, with the people of Tyre, and even Assyria joined them.” Ten nations, none of which you will see on a modern day map. Which nation can be found? Only the name Israel! (Psalm 82:17). Why would we ever imagine that God does not hear when His people go to Him in prayer? Let all the nations know that you, whose name is the LORD — that you alone are the Most High over all the earth. Let us also know that “the effective prayer of a righteous person can accomplish much” (James 5:16).

Let us persevere in prayer,

Joe