Recent elections in Israel reveal that our people  are tired of war and terror. A majority sense that a strong right-wing uncompromising stance is the best  policy. Time will tell.

  In this land where everything pulls us to one side or another there are plenty of reasons to get angry, take revenge or join one radical side or another. There are lots of opportunities to eat those "sour grapes" (Ezek. 18:1-4).  The troubles of life can make us bitter but we must take heed as we learn from the lesson of Cain.
   Gen. 4:3-15
   Cain and Abel grew up in a simple world where there was not a lot of trouble. There were not many enemies, pressures or temptations. Yet even in this safe environment jealousy grew in Cain's heart. He thought that by getting rid of Abel his life would be better. He blamed Abel for his own problems and look what resulted from his bitterness. 
   He begins to lie (vs 9). Cain's heart is not right. He cannot face the truth. He has enslaved himself to his own anger. 
   The deceptions of his heart soon become known to all (vs 10). He tries to carry on with business as usual but he cannot hide from the emotions that have latched onto his heart. 
   His bitterness and anger eventually make him a lonely wanderer (vs 11-12). He loses his home, his family and friends. His fellowship and intimacy have turned to bitterness, anger and revenge.
   Cain was a tiller of the soil and the ground was the place in which he took pride. It was here that he was gifted and from here he brought his sacrifices to God. Even his land was now cursed with the fruit of his jealousy and anger (vs 12). He could no longer do the very things that he had been gifted by God to do.
   Messiah came to reverse the curse. By accepting God's will for his life and not becoming bitter in the face of suffering He broke the cycle of hatred to become the perfect sacrifice. 
   And so is Israel's true election. It is a call to keep faith against all odds. It is a destiny that has not been easy. Our struggle for survival is a daily battle on every front. But the real battle is preserving the image of God in man and not losing our souls to vengeance, hatred and extremism.
   Messiah taught us that in these troubled times "the love of many would grow cold."  That is the real choice we must make. To continue to love the Lord our God and not lose hope. To keep our hearts upright in the face of the darkness and despair that is pressing in on every front.