Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem

When I was in Jordan in October, one of the most meaningful moments for our group of journalists came when we said goodbye to our Muslim bus driver. A Palestinian who fled Israel as a child, he had not seen his sisters in decades. From the other side of the Dead Sea, he could see the twinkling lights of the land where they live, but he could not get to them.

He did a good job for us. And he became a friend. He listened. He asked questions. He respected us. He told us he believes Jesus is the only way. He was a mix of wonderful surprises. And when we said goodbye to him with, "God bless you! And God bless Jordan!" he said, "And God bless Israel—yes, why not? God bless Israel!"

Grace.

Politically we need to support Israel. The country is a strong ally in the war-torn region.

Theologically we need to support Israel. They are still part of God's program.

But we must never give blind support to Israel, approving their every action, overlooking injustices. Instead, we should call them to be peacemakers. For millennia God has blessed Israel when His people have shown mercy to the "stranger" in their land. And what has been true in the past is still true today. "Love, joy, peace...against such things there is no law."