We have had a little January thaw these past few days.  It has been a wonderful change and it has been good to get rid of some of the snow and ice that had accumulated on the streets and drive ways.  It was also a reminder that Spring is on the way...still several months away, but we are getting closer.  The polar plunge is to hit us hard the middle of next week, and I suppose when I next write to you, polar bears will be meandering in our back yard.  I guess that is January.

Making headlines this week is our President's first official trip to Israel.  One wonders why he waited so long to visit this most strategic ally and important country.  I suppose as with many State visits, this one had its agenda...the continuation of the American push for a two-state solution to the problems in the Middle East.  Somehow there is still the assumption that, if the Israelis and the Palestinians could resolve their differences and a Palestinian State could be created, that all the world's problems - at least those in the Middle East - would be resolved as well.  This is nothing less than being naive. 

Let's ask ourselves the question: Will a Palestinian State help bring peace to the Middle East?  I know you are tempted to respond: "Of course it will."  Personally, I think it will have disastrous ramifications.  The President said that Israel needs to honor the lines drawn up by the United Nations back in 1949 when a cease fire was ordered ending the War of Independence.  May I take a few moments to review a little Middle East history with you.  The Arabs were offered a separate state, first back in 1936 when Lord Robert Peale made his report to the British government about how the mandate was not working.  It was a division of the Holy Land that had some merit, but was turned down by the Arabs.  Then, the United Nations, in 1947, divided the Holy Land into two separate states.  And, once again the Arabs said no, but the majority of the Israelis agreed to the division.  Yassir Arafat was offered a Palestinian State on several occasions, but because the offer did not suit his tastes, he rejected it out of hand.  It has seemed, at least from history, that the Palestinians really are not interested in having a State to govern.  So, one wonders why the great push for statehood for them now. 

Personally I was disappointed in the remarks President Bush made while in Israel.  He cast the Israelis in the role of the aggressor and told the Knesset leadership that they must tear down outposts and settlements in Judea and Samaria (the West Bank).  It was almost as if he said that those settlements, many of them having been established as long ago as 1967, were the main impediment to peace.  He hardly mentioned the continuing terror attacks, the daily rocket assaults, and the continued threat of Hamas to destroy Israel.  The Gaza Strip is the classic example of what happens when Israel abandons land to the Palestinians.  In August 2005 this was a good-will gesture on the part of Ariel Sharon, then Prime Minister of Israel, to give the Strip to the Palestinians in exchange for peace along Israel's southern borders.  As you might remember, the Israeli troops were hardly out of the country when the Palestinians went on a rampage destroying every synagogue and Jewish home they found.  And you know the rest of the story.  What is to say that a similar situation will not occur if Israel abandons Judea and Samaria?  The present Fatah-led government of President Abbas is very unstable.  And the Iranian-backed Hamas leadership in Gaza has threatened to unseat Abbas in the West Bank.  I can imagine the Hamas leadership saying to themselves, "Let's wait until the new state boundaries are drawn, then make our move."  And, then what is Israel to do. 

This is a complex situation, to be sure.  But, even a temporary peace cannot come until the Palestinians agree that the State of Israel does need assurances of security.  Israel is constantly the "giver"...it is time for them to be the "receiver" for a change. 

I began teaching an 8-week class on the Book of Isaiah last night.  And I was reminded of the reality that lasting peace will only come to the world when the Servant of the Lord, the Branch, the Messiah comes.  Then peace will permeate this world, flowing from the throne established on the Mount of the Lord on Mount Zion.  I am grateful for this wonderful hope.  Meanwhile, let us keep praying for peace to come to Jerusalem.  And let us anticipate with joy the return of the King.

Thanks for letting me share from my heart.  I welcome your comments and thoughts.  By the way, if you are interested in traveling to Israel, Marlys and I will be leading a tour March 4-17, 2009.  I know that is several months away, but if you would like more information, please contact us. 

God bless you this week as you continue serving the King.