Shalom friends,

At Intercessors for Israel, we prayed that God would glorify Himself through Israel's next government. Since that is His will, we had confidence He would answer in His way and timing (1 John 5:14-15). Now it appears that He has, including with some surprises. More later.

We received even less rain last winter than expected. Israel's water crisis remains, which we see as God's judgment for Israel's disengaging from Gaza (Joel 3:1-2). On Feb. 10^th Israeli elections were held and on that day Israel experienced extreme weather - including rain, snow, unusual lighting strikes and very strong winds (Psa. 148:8). We felt God was saying that through this election, He would blow out of office Israel's evil shepherds and false "peace, peace" prophets (Ezek. 13:10-16; 34:1-10) and raise up the good shepherds He has promised, and for which we persistently prayed (Jer. 3:15; 23:4-5; Isa. 1:26, etc.).

On Feb. 19^th Benjamin Netanyahu and his Likud party were commissioned to form a new government. That weekend, a severe winter storm hit Israel - with snow on Mt. Hermon, rain and hail in the rest of the country. We saw this as another sign of His favor (Lev. 26:4; Deut. 11:11-17; 28:12, etc.).

This spring we had more rain and unusually cool weather. Although this nation is full of sin, we continue to pray because God sends rain on the just and the unjust (Matt. 5:45b).