October 7, 2023: Walking in a Fire

As the pictures in this post testify themselves, what the victims of the October 7 massacre faced was overwhelming. Healthcare workers had multitudes needing their help all at once and hospital capacities surged quickly to maximum. They had to put their emotions aside for as long as they could to be able to function during this crisis that was the worst many of them had ever faced. As I've been learning of their struggles and how they were able to overcome, the many plans they had made helped and the frequent drills provided some level of familiarity with the needed procedures, but it is apparent that only faith in God can enable such resilience.

A minister and friend in Israel told me in 2018 that if I chose to move there, I would be tried in the fire. It is less uncomfortable to think of a scriptural reference such as, "'Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you" (I Peter 4:12, NKJV), which affects all Christians. However, I did not come away from our discussion with the impression that he meant this fire reference generally, but specifically. As I have reflected on his statement more in the years that have followed, I am now seeing what I think he did specifically mean. It's found in Zechariah: " 'And it shall come to pass in all the land,” Says the Lord, “That two-thirds in it shall be cut off and die, But one–third shall be left in it: I will bring the one–third through the fire, Will refine them as silver is refined, And test them as gold is tested. They will call on My name, And I will answer them. I will say, ‘This is My people’; And each one will say, ‘The Lord is my God.’ " (Zechariah 13:8-9). The horrific trial by fire that occurred on October 7 is little in comparison to what this prophecy in Zechariah predicts will happen one day. Even the Holocaust, the day of calamity, did not result in two-thirds of Israel perishing. This spiritual battle that Israel is facing right now is intense already, but will only amplify in the days ahead of us. We must keep these dear people in our prayers and do what we can to help as we are enabled and equipped.