GOD WILL USE THE WATER CRISIS IN ISRAEL TO BRING HIMSELF GLORY. ---"I WILL OPEN RIVERS ON THE BARE HEIGHTS AND SPRINGS IN THE MIDST OF THE VALLEYS," SAYS THE LORD

PRAYER FOCUS FROM JERUSALEM JULY 6, 2000

ISRAEL'S WATER CRISIS & GOD'S PROMISE

"The afflicted and needy are seeking water, but there is none, and their tongue is parched with thirst; I, the LORD, will answer them Myself, as the God of Israel I will not forsake them. I will open rivers on the bare heights, and springs in the midst of the valleys; I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land fountains of water.

THAT THEY MAY SEE AND RECOGNIZE

"I will put the cedar in the wilderness, the acacia, and the myrtle, and the olive tree; I will place the juniper in the desert, together with the box tree and the cypress, that they may see and recognize, and consider and gain insight as well, that the hand of the LORD has done this, and the Holy One of Israel has created it." [Isaiah 41:17-20]

THE WATER CRISIS IS WORSENING

As you know, Israel's water crisis (which many of you have been praying about) is worsening. Our last winter, though rich with precipitation, offered but temporary relief without seriously alleviating the long-term and accumulative dangers of the draught. Apart from an extended ecological miracle, Israel, as well as some of her immediate neighbors, is quickly heading toward an unavoidable and disastrous water crisis.

The sad fact is that this predicament, which had been detected and foreseen for years now, was nevertheless ignored and buried under political denial and bureaucratic foolishness, bringing us to the present crisis point. In recent years the Lake of Galilee has been pumped far beyond its capacity, endangering its actual freshness and ability to rebuild its ecological viability, while simultaneously many of the wells on our coastal plains were over pumped as well, allowing salty sea water to filter into the aquifers. In the last few weeks alone a number of these wells serving our most dense population centers were capped due to unfit and contaminated water.

GRABBING AT WILD OPTIONS

Rather than employing greater caution and discipline these last few years, while exploring technological solutions, we now find ourselves scurrying about and grabbing at wild options. Would our political captains and water commissioners have shown vision and responsibility in time, and prepared for the expected increase of water demand due to the massive Russian emigration and fast industrial development, Israel would not find herself in the present quandary.

The fact is that only recently did our government finally authorize the construction of a desalination plant which, even after its completion in three to five years, will not supply enough sweet water to meet our national deficit. An Israeli delegation just returned from Turkey after exploring the possibility of buying water from that nation and piping it across Syria and Lebanon. Or so they hope.

THE SPIRIT OF DISTORTION

This criminal shortsightedness (as some call it) by our recent governments is, as I see it, directly related to what we have learned to identify as "A SPIRIT OF DISTORTION" afflicting the entire nation. We will address this enemy in greater detail in future writings, but it will suffice to say at this point that this spiritual principality is the root cause of much of the irresponsible, immature, and presumptuous tendencies prevalent in the Israeli soul.

It is a humanistic mindset which notoriously looks for short cuts and displays over-confidence and false assurance. It distorts the plain facts, twists the truth, and presents an illusive sense of reality as it is based on mere wishful thinking and good intentions. It is the flip side of true faith, godly confidence, hope and assurance born of a true knowledge of the Living Word of the God of Israel.

"MY HONOR, A REPROACH"

As the Spirit cried out through David, "O sons of men, how long will my honor become a reproach? How long will you love what is worthless and aim at deception?" [Psalms 4:2] Without The God of our fathers dwelling among us, the everlasting creator, sustainer, and judge of all things, these juvenile national characteristics are but fruitless and lying facades. However, when the veil shall be removed by the breath of the Lord, these very strongholds shall turn into genuine gifts of service, redeemed, washed, and yoked to the Messiah's purpose on earth.

SOLUTIONS?

Because of our dense population, Israel's average annual water potential is only 280 cubic meters per capita, compared to 2,000 cubic meters for Syria and 1,400 cubic meters for the Middle East at large. Worse yet, 70% of Israel's present water resources will not be under her control if she withdraws from the Golan (30%) and Judea and Samaria (40%). Such vulnerability could prove to be disastrous.

Our immediate options, according to the natural mind, are to cut back significantly on agricultural production (resulting in Israeli dependency on outside markets for her actual food supply!), and enforcing strict limitations on household and urban water use. Abundant and consistent rainfall for a few consecutive years will bring relief.

THIS CRISIS WILL BRING THE LORD GLORY

However, the Lord recently spoke to our hearts during a family worship and Bible study, that this crisis will bring Him glory. His promise through Isaiah came to life, saying "I will open rivers on the bare heights, and springs in the midst of the valleys; I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land fountains of water."

SEISMIC ACTIVITY POSSIBLE?

Is it possible that the Spirit of God is speaking here not only of supernaturally increased rainfall, but of seismic activity as well which will unearth and release underground rivers and springs?

We, who live and serve in the midst of "the afflicted and needy (who) are seeking water, but there is none," found renewed faith and joy to pray along those lines. As the prophecy continues, "the God of Israel will not forsake them." Rather, as the cry for help and for mercy reaches His ears, He plans to save and deliver His afflicted and blinded people in such a way that it will be obvious to all "that the hand of the LORD has done this, and the Holy One of Israel has created it."

Pray with our family as we appeal to God to fulfill all His promises to Israel, the people and the land, speedily and mightily.