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WORLD NEWS

Spiraling

The Middle East is caught in a revenge loop. 

Israel is still fighting against Hamas — the terrorist group that controls Gaza and attacked Israel last October. But now, they’re also fighting with Iran. Iran supports Hamas and other terrorist groups in the area.

On Saturday, Iran launched over 300 missiles and drones at Israel. (Israel and its allies, including the U.S., blocked almost all of Iran’s fire.) Iran’s attack was retaliation (or revenge) after Israel bombed a part of the Iranian Embassy in Syria and killed some important military officials. Israel said they killed those Iranian officials because they had helped plan Hamas’s attack on Israel. 

Now, the world is waiting to see how Israel will respond to Iran’s first direct attack. They said they would strike back, which could lead to much more conflict in the region.

President Biden told Israel not to strike back with force because they weren’t hurt by the attack. But, other Americans believe that showing military strength is necessary to prevent future attacks.

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CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE
War and the evil it brings out are a terrible reminder that the world is not as it should be. Seek peace where you are and trust that the Lord will end all war in his perfect timing.

“If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone… Do not avenge yourselves… because it is written: ‘Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay,’ says the Lord... Do not be conquered by evil, but conquer evil with good.”
Romans 12:18–21 (CSB)

What biblical lesson can be taught through this story?
Jesus didn’t shy away from necessary conflict, but he was known as a man of peace.

He praised those who bring peace to a situation, saying, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God” (Matthew 5:9). He left his “peace” with his disciples, saying, “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you” (John 14:27). 

Jesus calls his followers to make peace wherever they go. That doesn’t just happen—it takes hard work. More than anything, the violence we see around us should soften our hearts, causing us to both pray and seek to be peacemakers. We can’t do much about global conflict —but we can ask for God’s help to bring peace to our little corners of the world.

What response to this story do I want to model for my children?
Turning the other cheek.

Disagreements between countries are complicated. Governments have a responsibility to protect their citizens. To do that, leaders sometimes have to find a way to get justice for wrongs done while trying not to escalate the situation.

But for Christians in disagreements with others, it’s simple (but not easy): Jesus tells us not to retaliate at all when others wrong us. What?? In fact, we are to be such humble, generous servants that we “turn the other cheek” and “go the extra mile,” continuing to love and serve even when others take advantage of us (Matthew 5:38-42).

• Talk about a time when you chose to de-escalate a tense situation, and something good came out of it. How did God use that difficult peacemaking effort for good? 
   

• Memorize Matthew 5:9: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.”
   

• Pray for peace in Israel and for your family, that each of you can be a peacemaker every day.

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