It is correct – the plural of tunnel.  I know we often use the expression “light at the end of the tunnel” to signify hope in a situation that may seem dark now. Tunnel or tunnels – we are searching for light. A tunnel is always dark without light being brought in from outside.

We read about the tunnels.  The events of the past weeks are painted in red capital letters across the news channels – digitally, at your fingertips, anytime you want or have the chance to read.  Murder and assault, blood and violence on the streets, in the buildings, ruins of hospitals and schools that should be safe are the order of the day.  The suffering is unimaginable. Children covered in dust and blood are everywhere in the images from the middle of the world where a dark cloud of explosions constantly obscures the sun.

Suddenly, the entire Western community is in turmoil.  Sympathy and condemnation fly back and forth like wild fists.  Warships move, words of war bruise the souls of people on both sides of the hostilities.  Revenge to annihilate, terrorism to destroy a nation – hate and fear all intermingled.

In my own mind, the shock of what had happened has somewhat subsided. Here on the other side of the globe, my life continues – something that strikes me several times a day and brings tears of gratitude. In my awareness of privilege and protection, I pray about the terror by night, the arrow that flies by day, the destruction that lays waste at noonday. (Psalms 91)

From the long and tragic history of that continent, we read about the tunnels of the terrorists.  I have closely examined the photos of the tunnels.  Underground, often dark but also lit with row upon row of lights on the ceiling.  It is a labyrinth of battle planning and execution.  If the power is down, how dark would it be in there?

In our weekly Bible study, we are studying the letter to the Hebrews.  I am very aware of the exalted reconciliatory work of Jesus, which is elaborated upon over multiple chapters in the manner of an argument in a court of law.  In the tenth chapter, Jesus is crowned again and again as the King of the Universe, better, so much better, than anything any other religion can ever offer – free access to the Presence of the Almighty, our loving Father who cares for all and everyone.

Jesus, in the visible, in his bruised, tormented body on the Cross just like the torn Veil in the Temple, which opens the Most Holy for all who accept the Cross.  From the accounts of the Gospels and the entire New Testament, we know that persecution for the followers of the Cross began immediately.  The enemies were everywhere – full of violence, hatred, and a thirst for murder – just like now.

Of course, we see the horrors happening everywhere as “enemies” of everything we stand for.  Our values about the protection of life – God’s own gift – are threatened and destroyed by both sides of the spectrum.  More and more sophisticated weapons are used.  In the debates, it is clear that people think so differently, having such a wildly different perspective coming from their upbringing and personal life experiences that, humanly speaking, it can never be reconciled with an opposite view.

It is in the awareness of the impossibility of human reconciliation that God’s Word as the light in the tunnels, is the only solution. 

How will we fight?  Our weapons are not human weapons.  It is spiritual and powerful to overcome the strongholds of wickedness.  Our weapon is the Light in the tunnels where violence is planned, not only in the physical tunnels of Gaza but in the tunnels of dark hearts far from God.

There is only one person in the entire history of humanity who ever said, “I am the Light of the world.” (John 8:12)  There is only One with the Light that will illuminate all the tunnels of violence in this world.  It is the Light of the Son of Righteousness with healing in its wings. (Malachi 4:2)

The Light of Jesus shining in the tunnels of people’s hearts.  That is our prayer.  It is the dark tunnels of stony hearts that only God can change.

Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. 

 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 

 I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them.  (Ezekiel 36:25-27)

Our victory in the Kingdom is assured.  Jesus has already won the victory.  We live in the invisible Kingdom, carried along in the triumph of Jesus.

…and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.  

And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church,  (Ephesians 1:19-22)

How will we overcome?  By the Blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony. (Revelation 12:11) It will not be with the latest sophisticated weapons of this world.

Our victory is established in the Almighty power of God to give His Son dominion over the nations. God will subject His enemies to Him. (Hebrews 10:13)

Our victory is not in human revenge but in the submission of people to the LOVE of God.  This is how God triumphs – He will subject all people to His Love.

Feel free to read the entire Psalm 2 about the victory of the Son of God over the nations of the earth, with the glorious closing words:

Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him.

What about us? How will we do in the blood and dust of such a battle?

HEAR the words of Jesus.

You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.  (Matthew 5:14-16)

You with your renewed mind are the light in the tunnels of dark, cruel hearts.  Your light is the words of Spirit and life from the mouth of Jesus.

Pray, Pebblepal, that the light of Christ shines in every dark tunnel of this world.  Let us carry the banner of prayer, the Light of the Christ, over every Israeli, every terrorist, every evil and cruelty, also here around us.

Revival is our cry, Jesus saves our creed.