Emergency Guidelines on Two Levels

Tents of Mercy Congregation

Kiryat Yam, Israel

The Israeli Home Front Command tells us how to live physically during wartime. There are rules and regulations laid out to minimize the danger from the thousands of missiles that have been launched in the direction of Israel. In the Haifa-Krayot area where we live, there are often multiple sirens each day, warning of incoming missiles from Iran or Hezbollah in the north. 

Home Front guidelines answer the following questions: How many people can gather based on the level of danger? Which areas of the country can follow a more normal routine? What do we do when there is a siren while we are at home or in a car? How do we choose a safe shelter? We have very clear instructions on how to conduct ourselves in a physical emergency.

In parallel, God wants to protect the spirit and soul of ALL of his children worldwide. So, we also need spiritual emergency guidelines. 

Sometimes we feel like we are barely surviving. When there is a lot of worry, there is a lot of pressure. If pressure remains in a closed space, what happens? An explosion. God doesn't want us to be like a bomb waiting to explode. God wants to bring freedom from the worries in our lives and to release us from the fears we are holding onto.

In this season, there are many voices speaking fear. It is crucial to ask which voice am I listening to? The story of David and Goliath holds many relevant points for us (1 Samuel 17). King Saul was threatened by Goliath – the Philistine weapon of mass destruction. Each army camped on its own hill separated by a valley. Each day Goliath taunted them with this challenge: “Let one man fight me. Why should we all die? Whoever wins, the other side becomes their slaves.”

This spiritual/psychological warfare preceded the physical. Goliath’s voice sowed fear in his listeners. “When Saul and all Israel heard these words of the Philistine, they were dismayed and greatly afraid” (1 Samuel 17:11). They heard, and that hearing caused panic. For 40 days they were tuned into the “Goliath News Network” morning and evening. The people of Israel chose to receive his words and let that seed of fear enter their hearts. What we listen to consistently, will shape our lives – including the news, negative conversations, and social media. If we put those things first, they will steal our peace. Fear paralyzed those Israelite warriors. They had no strategy because fear shackled them. 

Then David arrived – just a teenager from the “youth group.” He came with “sandwiches and protein bars” for the warriors. He arrived at the same battlefield and heard the same voice of Goliath in the background. Yet he had different eyes and different ears, and was attentive to a different voice. Why? Because while everyone else was fixated on the difficulty, David was focused on his experience with God. In verse 37, David said: “The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” He understood that past victories are today’s breakthroughs. 

What is the difference between fear and faith? Fear has a short memory. When I choose fear, I have “spiritual dementia.” I forget the prayers God has already answered and the miracles I’ve already seen. Conversely, faith has a long memory. God constantly tells us to “Remember!” because He knows how fast we forget.

Basic “Checklist” of 5 Practical Guidelines for Believers living in an emergency:

1. Look Up to Change Perspective: In a crisis, the physical instinct is to look left and right in panic to see where the threat is coming from. However, Psalm 121 says, “I lift up my eyes to the hills – where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord.” Looking up changes everything.

2. Look Inward to Stir Your Faith: Before David picked up a stone, he stirred his memory. He recalled his history with God. Yeshua is the same yesterday, today, and forever. If He was faithful then, He is faithful now. Your testimony is a weapon for the present, not just a story from the past. Stop telling God how big the storm is, and start telling the storm how big your God is.

3. Look Around to Find Opportunities: In times of survival, we tend to isolate ourselves. But this is the time to serve. Galatians 5:13 says, “Serve one another in love.” Ask yourself every morning: “Who can I strengthen today?” Often, the way out of our own fear is to be the answer to someone else’s prayer.

4. Speak Life: Proverbs 18:21 says, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” Goliath spoke death. David arrived and spoke life. His words brought hope to an entire nation before the battle even began. What you fill yourself with is what will flow from you.

5. Step Forward to Act in Faith: When Goliath finally moved to attack, David didn't just stand there – he sprinted toward the battle line. Faith isn’t the absence of fear; it’s the ability to act despite it. God doesn’t give us grace to stand still; He gives us grace to advance.

You Are on the Front Lines 

The “Home Front Command” gives instructions to civilians in the “rear” because they aren't actively fighting at the “front.” But as believers, we ARE on the Front Lines. Sometimes we want to act like we are hiding out, but it is our place to continually advance, even if we have but a few stones in our pockets.

God doesn’t need our grand plans; He needs faithfulness in small things. David was just bringing food and watching sheep, and God used that.

The darker the times, the more opportunity there is for us to be the light of the world. We face a demanding season on all fronts. Even personally, many are dealing with huge challenges in their families, finances, etc. It is critical what we choose which voice to listen to. If you side with Saul, you will watch from the sidelines in fear. If you side with David, you will advance to victory with confidence in God.

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