Since Hamas’s slaughter of some 1,200 Jewish people and kidnapping of hundreds more on October 7, 2023, the Lord has allowed me to lead five solidarity trips to Israel. These endeavors tangibly communicate our everlasting Christian support for the Jewish nation.
Israelis often ask us, “Why are you coming here when so many are not?” We answer, “Because of our love for the Jewish people and appreciation for what they have done for us.” With tears, many express how grateful they are and how much our presence encourages them. They always conclude by saying, “Thank you for coming!”
The Bible instructs us to love and bless the Jewish people (Gen. 12:3). That is why we go to Israel: to bring comfort to the Lord’s Chosen People (Isa. 40:1–2).
The repeated attacks on the Jewish state stem from humanity’s hatred of the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. October 7 was only one of many satanic attempts to wipe Israel off the map.
Another occurred in June 2025 when Iran rejected the U.S. proposal to end its nuclear weapons program and promised it would soon produce nuclear weapons to use against Israel. To defend its people, Israel launched Operation Rising Lion, a successful preemptive strike on the Islamic Republic’s military and nuclear program. The name, taken from Numbers 23:24, echoes the Lord’s prophecy that Israel will utterly destroy its enemies just as a lion rises to kill and devour its prey.
Like all previous attacks on Israel, Hamas’s and Iran’s recent assaults ultimately fell short of their goals. Not only did they fail to drive Israel into the sea, but the areas also paid a huge price for striking “the apple of [God’s] eye” (Zech. 2:8). Gaza now lies in ruins, and many terrorists and Iranian masterminds have died. Theirs was a fool’s errand from the start.
Hamas’s allies who joined the fight also failed spectacularly. For all of Hezbollah’s bragging about how it would destroy the Jewish state, the terrorist organization was brought to its knees when Israel eliminated most of its key leaders. And Iran’s massive failures in April and October 2024 and again this year to strike Israel with advanced weapons and destroy it failed.
God has given Israel great success in battle against its enemies. He has sworn that, unless the sun, moon and stars cease to exist, Israel will always exist (Jer. 31:35–36). Even while its people lived in exile for most of the past two millennia, God preserved the nation and returned it to its land.
The Lord’s promise to make Israel the one nation through which He would redeem the world has put the Jewish people in harm’s way. Their suffering is a striking reminder of their unique, covenantal relationship with God, serving as His channel to bring salvation to mankind. They have endured hatred and tragedy for the benefit of everyone who receives the Lord’s gift of salvation.
Though often overlooked, the Jewish people’s resilience is evident in Israel today. The shock of the October 7 massacre has generated a new determination for the Jewish people to live in the land God promised them. And they will not be moved.
Israel is a testimony to God and His promises to the people He raised up to bless the world. Our faith in the Savior of Israel is anchored in the knowledge that the Lord keeps His covenants and never breaks His promises. As beneficiaries of His grace and mercy, we should gladly stand in solidarity with Israel.
