Worthy Brief - 5/12/2017
Friend, spiritual blacksmiths arise!
1 Sam. 13:19-22 Now there was no smith found throughout all the land of Israel: for the Philistines said, Lest the Hebrews make them swords or spears: But all the Israelites went down to the Philistines, to sharpen every man his share, and his coulter, and his axe, and his mattock. Yet they had a file for the mattocks, and for the coulters, and for the forks, and for the axes, and to sharpen the goads. So it came to pass in the day of battle, that there was neither sword nor spear found in the hand of any of the people that were with Saul and Jonathan: but with Saul and with Jonathan his son was there found.
This interesting passage speaks of a time when Israel had no blacksmiths to make weapons and was without any armament to defend themselves. The enemy had succeeded to disarm Israel by removing their weapons, and those who forged them! He's attempting the same tactic today.
A blacksmith is someone who works with raw material and fire, and who knows how to form and shape liquid metal into powerful weapons. Anyone who works skillfully and accurately with the word of God is a spiritual "blacksmith". The enemy, who is constantly attacking the word of God, the sword of the Spirit, also seeks to silence or remove the spiritual blacksmiths of this world. If he can get rid of them – the battle is over.
We need to pray for God’s blacksmiths because the enemy is after them. Together with the fire of the Holy Spirit they forge the raw material of His word into powerful weapons which shape and mold God's people into His image and equip them for spiritual warfare and fruitfulness. But we are all called to be strong in the word, and to take it up as our primary weapon. Every spiritual blacksmith, himself started out as raw material which was shaped and formed by the fire of God to fight in this battle with Satan.
Friend, so, as the battle rages, pray for the protection of God's "blacksmiths", even as you submit to His process of shaping you into one, yourself.
Your family in the Lord with much agape love,
George, Baht Rivka, Elianna & Obadiah
Arad, Israel
Watch: 2017 Midwest Prophecy Conference -- It's not the end of the world!
Around the World
Egypt's Islamic State affiliate claims deadly Sinai attack
The Islamic State group in Egypt has claimed responsibility for a deadly attack on local tribesmen this week in the restive northern part of the Sinai Peninsula.
Iran test-fires torpedo in the Strait of Hormuz
Iran test-fired a high-speed torpedo on Sunday, a senior U.S. defense official told Fox News, marking the latest provocative action from the Islamic Republic.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Abbas, in meeting with Putin, says Moscow must be part of peace process
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas met with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Sochi resort in Western Russia on Thursday, and said that solving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict will be “impossible” without the participation of Moscow in the peace process.
Hezbollah says future war would be on Israeli territory
Lebanese Hezbollah said on Thursday that any future conflict between the Shi'ite group and Israel could take place inside Israeli territory, as tensions rise between the arch foes.
Top US army general aligns with Israeli concern over Iran and its proxies
Jerusalem is concerned Iran may build a powerful new front against Israel if it is allowed to play a role in enforcing the Russian-proposed de-escalation zones in southern Syria, Gen. Joseph Dunford, chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, said during a visit to Israel this week, according to a statement published on Thursday.
Trump Admin Still Considering Moving U.S Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem
The Trump administration is disputing Israeli media reports claiming that the president is no longer committed to moving the U.S. embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, which candidate Donald Trump vowed to do while campaigning for the presidency, according to U.S. officials familiar with the situation.
Inside the United States
Aetna to Exit All Obamacare Exchanges in 2018 After Experiencing Hundreds of Millions in Losses
Aetna, one of the nation's largest health insurers, has announced that it will exit all Affordable Care Act exchanges in 2018 after experiencing massive losses in 2016 and 2017.
U.S. government posts $182 billion surplus in April
The U.S. government had a $182 billion budget surplus in April, confounding market expectations for a deficit, according to Treasury Department data released on Wednesday.
Christian News
Vigils held for Christian politician imprisoned in Indonesia
The imprisonment of a Christian politician for blaspheming Islam has triggered an outpouring of anger and support around Indonesia.
North Korean university draws U.S. evangelicals despite risks
Like many other Americans who came to teach at the foreign-funded Pyongyang University of Science and Technology (PUST), Kim Hak Song was a Christian missionary who raised money from a church to come to North Korea.
Pence: America will prioritize protecting Christians abroad
Vice President Pence sought on Thursday to reassure Christian leaders looking for the White House to focus more on the plight of persecuted Christians abroad.
Franklin Graham Reveals the 'Real Reason' Christians Are Being Persecuted
Leading evangelist Franklin Graham addressed persecuted Christians from over 130 countries gathered this week for the first-ever World Summit in Defense of Persecuted Christians and explained the 'real reason' why so many people throughout the world are being killed, tortured and imprisoned for their faith in Christ.