Back then, and in the ensuing years as the people of Israel were sucked into the Oslo Process, with the resulting erosion of their national security and escalation in terrorism, evangelical Christians in Israel and abroad prayed for the “impossible” – that God would keep Sharon in good health and place him at Israel’s helm.

Surely “the warrior” would shatter the land-for-peace mirage and re-establish Israel’s security parameters, extending Jewish rule deep into Israel’s biblical land?

The “impossible” did happen. Sharon became prime minister in 2001, riding into office on a wave of votes appealing for security after Oslo exploded in the 2ndintifada and funerals for Israeli victims of terrorism went off the charts.

High hopes were pinned on Sharon. They were dashed. Last year saw the “father of the Israeli settler movement” abandon the Gaza Strip to the Arabs in what he explained was the beginning of a process of “disengagement” from the “Palestinians.”

Sharon’s willingness to proceed with the forced removal of his people from their homes in Gaza pushed hundreds of thousands of Jews to prayer. Untold numbers of Christians, too, went to prayer for divine intervention. God-fearing men, women and children proclaimed their belief that the “disengagement” would never take place; that the Almighty would step in and perform a miracle.

The miracle never came, and just over four months ago the world watched and applauded, while many believers watched and wept, as Jewish communities were erased from the map of Gaza, and thousands of Israelis became refugees in their own land at the hands of their own government.

There is no doubt that the prayers and tears reached to heaven, and were heard there. God, Whose ways are not our ways, did not step in to prevent the expulsion. He has, however, stepped in now.

Kay

The Most High rules in the kingdom of men