Zechariah 2:8 says, “For thus saith the LORD of hosts; After the glory hath he sent me unto the nations which spoiled you: for he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye.”  Notice that last phrase again, “for he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye.”  This is a statement about the people of God, Israel.  Israel is “the apple of his eye.”  The picture is of a man and woman deeply in love with one another.  They look at each other face to face and eye to eye.  The gaze is so deep that they can see their own reflection in the pupils of the other person.
 God has loved His people Israel so strongly even knowing the world would have a hate for His people which is fueled by the devil.  Through it all God has loved and cared for His people.  The psalmist says to “pray for the peace of Jerusalem.”  We are praying for the return of the Lord when we pray for the peace of Jerusalem.  Israel as a nation has blinded itself to the gospel of Christ and the fact that He is the Messiah.  Jewish people can and are being saved, however they are presently set aside and this is “the times of the Gentiles.”  One day the antichrist will come after Israel during the tribulation and God will revenge them at the battle of Armageddon.
 God’s promise, “I will bless them that bless thee, and curse them that curse thee” still holds true today.  God is not finished with Israel yet.  Keep praying for the nation of Israel.  Encourage our national leaders to keep a strong alliance and support of Israel.  While you are praying for Israel, be sure to pray for our nation.  Pray for our leaders.  Even when we do not agree with liberal and unbiblical policies, pray for our leaders.  This is what God expects from His people.  May God bless you.