God Reigns Over the Nations

The United States and Israel jointly attacked the Islamic Republic of Iran on the Sabbath day (Saturday), February 28, 2026. I’m writing this article on Friday, March 6, 2026. Today is now the seventh day of this regional conflict.

The world is being shaken by war once again. Although this war is mostly focused in the Middle East, from Israel to Iran, the ripple effects of this war are being felt in nearly every country on Planet Earth. Global shipping and the airline industry, both of which connect the nations of the world, are being interrupted. Beyond the inconvenience of the transport of goods, higher oil prices, and the cancellation of flights, the daily schedule of millions of people is being put on hold until peace and stability are restored.

Although Israel has a relatively small population of about 10 million people, Iran has a population of about 90 million people. Then there are all of the peoples in-between these two nations. The Arab peoples from Egypt to Iraq (including all of the Arabian Peninsula, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria and the Arabs in Israel) total about 300 million people. This little Middle Eastern war is directly affecting approximately 400 million people.

Every country is experiencing this war to a different degree. Iran is at the center of this war and the people of that nation are certainly being impacted with the greatest devastation and the highest degree of destruction together with tremendous loss of life. My heart breaks for the families who have already lost tens of thousands of loved ones by the hands of their own repressive leaders and now there is certainly more death and destruction. It is difficult to witness war.

Life in Israel During the War

I live in Jerusalem. I was planning to fly back to the US on Tuesday, March 3rd but my plans were suddenly changed when this war broke out and Israel closed its international airport.

The Islamic clerics of Iran hate the United States but they hate the people and nation of Israel more than anything. Their sole mission is to wipe Israel off the face of the earth. As soon as the war started on Saturday, the sirens started to ring out in Israel as a result of the ballistic missiles that Iran sent to destroy us.

The air over Israel has been filled with the sounds of missiles, sirens, and defensive systems throughout this past week. The reality of war reminds me that in one instant of time innocent life can be taken from this earth. Thankfully, Israel and the US are providing excellent defenses against the continued attack on Israel. The majority of the missiles that Iran has fired at the nation of Israel have either been intercepted in the skies above or landed in barren areas. There was one missile that got through and hit a home in Beit Shemesh, Israel. I believe nine people were killed from that one missile. The other danger from ballistic missiles is that after they are intercepted in the skies, the body of the missile falls to the ground. It is for this reason that we are directed to stay in our bomb shelters not only when the missiles are incoming, but then for 10-15 minutes after they are intercepted so that we can have confidence that the destroyed missile will not fall on our homes or apartment buildings.

Since the beginning of the war on Saturday, Feb. 28th, the Israeli government has issued a stay at home order except for necessary activities. Adults have not been going to work, children have not been going to school, and formal gatherings have been cancelled for the safety of everyone. Today, Thursday, March 5th, is the first day that some sense of normalcy is starting to return to life in Israel. The missile attacks are becoming fewer and fewer and we are starting to be able to return to some regular activities.

Reflections on War-time

I look back on this past week and wonder what I did over the course of these five to six days. It is nearly impossible to accomplish meaningful tasks with constant interruptions as we are forced to focus on simply surviving and doing that which is absolutely necessary on a daily basis.

During my daily devotional time yesterday morning, I read Psalm 47. I read it in English and then I read it in Hebrew. I listened to it in Hebrew and then listened to it in again and again as I followed along in the Hebrew text. This psalm is only 9 verses in English or 10 verses in Hebrew, including the superscript, but it has a powerful message that declares the absolute authority of the LORD God.

Psalm 47 is a simple psalm written by “the sons of Korah.” The Tree of Life Version, which I have included below, is a more direct translation from the Hebrew text and uses certain Hebrew words like “Adonai” for the Name of the LORD and the word “Elyon” which means “exalted.” The phrase, “Adonai Elyon” means “Exalted LORD.” The following is the text of Psalm 47:

1 For the music director, a psalm for the sons of Korah. 2 Clap your hands, all you peoples! Shout to God with the voice of joy! 3 For Adonai Elyon is awesome, a great King over all the earth. 4 He subdues peoples under us, and nations under our feet. 5 He chooses our inheritance for us, the glory of Jacob whom He loved. Selah

6 God is gone up amidst shouting, Adonai amidst the sound of the shofar. 7 Sing praises to God, sing praises! Sing praises to our King, sing praises! 8 For God is the King of all the earth. Sing praises with a skillful song. 9 God reigns over the nations. God sits upon His holy throne. 10 The princes of the peoples are gathered as a people of the God of Abraham. For the shields of earth belong to God—He is greatly exalted! – (TLV*)

God reigns over the nations and He sits on His holy throne (vs. 9). In times of global chaos and uncertainty, especially during a time of war, it is good to worship the LORD and remember who He is. He is Adonai Elyon, the “Exalted LORD.”

Verse 7 admonishes us with these words, “Sing praises to God, sing praises! Sing praises to our King, sing praises!” I started practicing this every time the siren sounds to warn us of incoming missiles. As soon as I hear the siren, I grab my guitar and start worshiping the LORD. The amazing thing is that ever since I started doing this, Jerusalem has been missile free. Although the sirens have sounded, there has not been the sound of the intercepting rockets or exploding missiles. Praise God!

With hundreds of missiles and drones flying over the Middle East in these days, it is good to know that “the shields of earth belong to God” and that “He is greatly exalted!” (Vs. 10)

It is easy to become distracted and depressed when it seems like the world is spinning out of control. In the midst of the current uncertainty and ongoing war, it is encouraging to remember that, “God reigns over the nations” and that “God sits upon His holy throne.” (Vs. 9)

Daniel Goldstein

*Scripture taken from the Tree of Life Version 2014