“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” Ephesians 6:12
“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds…..” 2 Corinthians 10:4
In these days of such sorrow and shock in Israel many have asked me, “What can we do to help Israel?” This is a very good question and in many respects the Church generally is confused and double minded about what its response should be. This has to be urgently corrected if it is to become the tool that God wants it to be in His hand in this unfolding conflict.
In this regard I believe that the Lord has clearly spoken to me as to what He requires from us. Essentially it is just, “One very powerful slingshot!” Allow me to explain:
1. The Ephesian letter exhortation
In this wonderful epistle, as Paul comes to its end, he exhorts the people of God to keep standing against evil by adorning the full armor of God and by understanding that our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against very evil principalities and powers in the heavenly places (Ephesians 6: 12).
This does not mean that those who contend with us are just innocent victims of greater and wicked powers that have somehow overcome them. This type of teaching is contextually wrong and false and leads to the condoning of evil in people and in the end confusion and inaction.
The fact is our struggle is against evil people like Hitler, Hamas and many more but we are not going to be victorious over them until we deal with the unseen and evil powers that they have willingly and enthusiastically given themselves over to so as to be empowered by them. Until we pull down these powers we will not be able to defeat them. These people, groups and regimes are not innocent victims and we in the end must overcome them. They themselves are evil and must be overcome. This is why Paul also said that our weapons are mighty and powerful in the pulling down of these unseen and wicked strongholds that assist the enemies of God in their rebellion against God, His Church in the world and Israel.
2. The story of David and Goliath
“Then David said to the Philistines ‘You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin . But I come to you in the name of the Lord God of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defiled.” 1 Samuel 16:45
The first book of Samuel records a duel between good and evil that took place in the Elah valley just south east of Jerusalem. The Philistine Army gathered on one side of this valley with the intent of exterminating the nation of Israel. To accomplish this they had willingly and enthusiastically employed the help of a giant, who we are told in scripture was a part of the Anakim, who were the descendants of the Nephilim who were a hybrid race being part demonic and part human (See Genesis 6). In other words he had supernatural strength and single-handedly blasphemed against the God of Israel and challenged His people Israel. The Israelites trembled, feared and did not know what to do until David, an insignificant young lad, not older enough to go to war, stepped forward and with just one slingshot took down this demonically inspired giant paving the way for the army of Israel to destroy the Philistine army. Note, just one well directed slingshot defeated the evil enemies of Israel who had gathered to eliminate them. Believe me God, by Jesus Christ, is calling the Church to do the same today! Goliath is a picture of the unseen evil principalities in heavenly places and once he was removed by David the Philistines were disempowered, overcome and destroyed by the armies of Israel.
3. A story from the Second World War
With ferocious speed and power the Nazis rampaged through Europe bringing murder and mayhem in their wake and destruction upon the Jews. However, God called an insignificant and fairly unknown group in Wales to assault the demonic power and genocidal spirit behind them by just one slingshot! That is they were single minded and prayed continuously against the evil principalities that the wicked Nazis had willingly employed on their behalf. Rees Howells was the leader of this group of intercessors and so with a focused slingshot they opened the way for the British army to escape from Dunkirk and later to return with re-enforcements from USA and beyond to utterly liquidate the evil Nazis and save the Jews of Europe from complete annihilation. This remarkable story is well documented in the Book called, “Rees Howells Intercessor “ written by Norman Grubb. It was the very first book I read as a new born Christian and I believe that everyone should read it.
4. The calling before us now
Israel faces an enemy that for decades has set out to exterminate her. These are themselves very wicked people and they are empowered by evil principalities in the heavenly places. It is the same kind of principality that empowered the Nazis, Haman of Persia and many more and particularly the Amalekites of old. Today it has an unseen hold on Hamas, the Iranians, Hezbollah, Isis, Alqaeda and many more. Make no mistake it is very strong and powerful like Goliath and Israel will not defeat her enemies until it is pulled down in the heavenly places. This is why Paul said that our fight is not against flesh and blood but against these powers in unseen places.
In short our one and persistent slingshot must be that of urgent intercession against the evil principality behind Hamas and all its travelers . This is the urgent calling to the Church by the Holy Spirit at this time. Once this has been dealt with Israel will be able to decisively defeat this foe on the field of battle. Something hitherto that she has been unable to do since she withdrew from Gaza nearly two decades ago.
Conclusion
For near on half a century now Jesus has raised up millions of Christians who understand Israel’s role in God’s purpose of world redemption and who have come to her side in love and comfort because they know that her modern day restoration is not an accident of history but rather evidence of God’s faithfulness to His covenant made with Abraham 4000 years ago.It is this remarkable company of people that must now step forward onto the current battle line, like David, to take down Goliath with one slingshot by well focused and determined intercession. We have been called for this hour and let us arise to the challenge and trust God to help us all to be faithful. Remember, just one well focused slingshot!!!
Malcolm Hedding
Give to Israel